Jordan Joy!

For the 2nd week running United and their fans made the journey to Seaview, not to take on Crusaders, but their ground sharing tenants, Carrick Rangers. For the 2nd week running we were herded into the stand at the Shore Road end, because 5 Rangers fans wanted to sit in their new stand which was the terracing on the City side of the ground for many, many years. Now the Sky Blue Sport's team abhorrence at watching a match from behind the goals is well documented and we believe we're right in saying the majority of all Sky Blue supporters feel the same way. So legislators take note, if clubs persist with this draconian attitude, we'll take draconian measures, you have been warned.

Now that I've got that off my chest onto much more serious things, United had to make three changes from their starting line-up of last Saturday. Nelson in goal for Drummond, Watson in defence for Vauls and Baker in attack for Boyd. The first half was a nonentity, with both teams being unable to play constructive football on the bouncy surface and windy conditions. The pattern of play was very predictable, the keepers would hump the ball up-field and the forwards would fight for possession of the ball. Carrick missed a glorious chance to take the lead, when Watson was beaten easily on the wing and Stephen O'Neill was denied by the woodwork with Nelson clutching at straws. At the other end Cutch missed a sitter when he was set up by Jenks, with only the keeper to beat, he lifted his shot over the bar.

When we won free-kick at the right-side of the box, it looked tailor made for Ally's left-foot, but Cutch took it and Valko tipped it over the bar for a corner. The corner was taken by Ally and Cookie was unlucky to see his header come back off the bar. Jordan Baker, who hasn't scored since his second goal of the match at the D.C. gave United all three points, way back at the end of August, didn't look like breaking his duck in this match and I was left to wonder if the manager would make make one or two substitutions in the halftime interval.

2nd half
United took the field with the same eleven and upped the pace right from the start of the half. Their pressure told in the 50th minute when after a great dribble by Ally, Archie following up behind picked up the loose ball and squared it to Baker on the edge of the box. Jordan turned on the proverbial sixpence and rifled ball past Valko to give the Sky Blues the lead. As if that wasn't bad enough for Carrick they lost their influential central defender Davey McAlinden shortly afterwards. In the 60thminute, Ally swung over a corner from the right and Cutch stole in at the far post to notch his 15th goal of the season and give United a two goal cushion. Despite dominating the game United couldn't add to their tally and the defence dealt capably with the 'home' team's attempt to get back into the game.

Nelson (7), Woods (6), Archie (7), Cookie (7), Watson (5), Downey (6), Sparky (7), Jenks (7), Ally (8), Cutch (7), Baker (8)

Man of match: Jordan Baker