Muk Luck!

United almost survived a scum onslaught at the windy home of the Windy Hall ewes last night. Yes it would have been an undeserved win, but then again we've been on the receiving end of those many a time against the scum. United for once started brightly, roared on by a bigger than expected travelling support, we are gluttons for punishment. Rory Carson, getting back to full fitness, almost broke the deadlock after 15 minutes but screwed his shot wide of the post. Two minutes later the Sky Blues did go in front when Cutch found the over-lapping Mikey and his hard shot found the net despite fat Davey's understudy, Gavin Cullen, getting a hand to the ball. United tended to over-elaborate thereafter instead of taking the simple tactic of pass and run, while Gavin Taggart continues to struggle in midfield and for some reason known only to himself he'd rather pass back than forward.

Tragedy struck for United when scum player Harkness had to go off injured to be replaced by the 'giant' well tanned Mukendi. Mukendi had been a real thorn in the flesh for the Sky Blues in their previous two games against the Coleraine scum and tonight was to be no exception. United came within a whisker of taking the lead when a Colligan cross was sliced by a scum defender and was goal-bound until Cullen somehow managed to claw it out and United's appeal that it had crossed the goal-line was dismissed by referee Weatherall. At the other end United keeper Ryan Brown fumbled an innocuous shot when pressurised by a scum player, but luckily he recovered to smother the loose ball.

2nd half
The second half was one of relentless scum pressure and rare United breakaway's which with a bit of care could've wrapped up the points. The United goal was having a charmed life as our defence appeared to be at times non-existent, but still got away with it. In fact they should've doubled their advantage when after a Colligan shot was blocked, Cutch blasted wildly over the bar with the goal at his mercy. The scum made a telling substitution midway through the half, bringing on Stephen Carson, while United took off Rory Carson, with Aaron Boyd replacing him. This substitution meant a re-shuffle for United with Sparky dropping back to midfield and Boyd partnering Cutch up front. The scum took full advantage of United's temporary defensive lapse when Carson found himself in acres of space, when Mikey and Sparky both tried to cover the same man (but unfortunately not Carson) and his cross was headed in by Mukendi to level the scores'

The scum looked to have taken the points 3 mins later but somehow Boyce, unmarked in the six-yard box managed to push his shot wide with Brown helpless. With the United defence still in disarray Scullion missed a sitter when the ball fell to him when Brown parried a Boyce shot. As United swept forward they won a free kick about 30 yards from goal, but Caff's free cleared the bar. Boyd, a disappointment on this showing, did manage a shot on target, but Cullen saved easily. United almost regained the lead near the end when a Caff free was fumbled by Cullen but there was no United player on hand to supply the finishing touch. Yet another two points slipped through United's fingers and still no sign of a reliable striker on the horizon!

Brown (6), Mikey (7), Archie (6), Albert (7), Gazza (6), Rory (7)(Sub: A. Boyd 5,), Caff (7), Taggart (4), Colligan (7), Sparky (5), Cutch (5)

Man of the match: Lee Colligan