Special Bru!

United easily accounted for Lurgan Celtic in the end, though it proved to be tougher than it needed to be. Showing one change from Saturday's line-up, Gavin Taggart for the injured Archie, United got off to a dream start when Neil Lowry broke through the Celtic defence and scored his first senior goal in the 16th minute. Two minutes later he should've doubled that lead But Fox in the Celtic goal pulled off a marvellous save, but I can't help thinking it was a chance lost. Earlier Fox had showed his credentials with a wonderful save from a snap shot from Gavin Taggart at the expense of a corner. United continued to forage but they couldn't add to their tally, due to bad finishing and the final pass going astray and a well oiled offside trap from the visitors.

The closest they came to adding to their score was when Cush beat the defensive wall from a free-kick but missed the target. The United defence was playing across the back, trying to to build up play and I (pessimist that I am) couldn't help thinking that we would make a mistake and let Celtic get a foothold in the match. But we managed to hold out to halftime and go in at the break leading by a single goal, no doubt it should've been more but our talisman, Jamie D was struggling against the Celtic's rugged defence and Lowry and he were both arguing with their opposite numbers, no doubt a ploy to knock them from their stride.

2nd half
United were attacking their favourite goals at the Fisherwick end, in the 2nd half and I hadn't realised how strong the wind was in the first half, but when Dwayne's first kick landed in the opposition box I knew it must be strong. United continued to probe and after one mazy run, Jamie D dragged his shot wide, a chance missed. But United were not to be denied for long and Gary Thompson scored his first goal for the club with a shot from inside the box which went in off the post in the 60th minute. At the other end the referee denied the visitors two claims for penalties, fist from a trip(dive)and the second for a handball (accidental). Cush was substituted in the 62nd minute and with young Peter Duffin get his first taste of senior football.

Vaulsey was taken out by a crude tackle at the halfway line, which started a melee among the players and one Celtic player got a punch in, the referee's decision a yellow card didn't go down well with the home fans. Vaulsey had to be helped from the pitch, with Tony Kane taking his place. Duffin came within inches of marking his first senior appearance with a goal, but dragged his shot wide after a neat pass from Jamie D. United got their third goal when Captain Jenks drilled in a shot from the edge of box leaving Fox no chance, for his first goal this season, bragging rights for him on the ferry going home no doubt. United seemed to relax after this and they conceded their first goal this season when Dwayne was left exposed and Campbell duly slotted home, a bad goal to let in and it gave the visitors some hope.

Spike took off Jamie D and brought on James McCabe and he restored United's 3 goal advantage when he seized on a back-pass and out-foxed Fox to score his first goal for the club. That goal came in the 75th minute and the closest United came to adding to their tally was when Captain Jenks tried a speculative shot from halfway when he saw the keeper off his line, but Fox got back to save his 50 yard effort. That shot reminded me of 'Tony from the halfway line', I must be getting old. United continued to fritter away chances, but the match was safe, we were in the next round, only the perfectionist in me wanted to see more goals and like Dwayne I was disappointed to concede a goal. When I was making my way from the ground I couldn't help thinking, will I ever be satisfied, we had won 4-1, against an inferior team it has to be said, but a victory is a victory and that's all that counts!

Dwayne (7), Vaulsey (7)(Sub: Kane 7,), Ruddy (7), Cookie (7), Taylor (7), Gavin (6), Cush (6)(Sub: Duffin 6,) Thompson (7), Jenks (7), Lowry (8), Jamie D (6)(Sub: McCabe 7,)

Man of the match: Neil Lowry

Wasted Journey!

It's exactly 84 miles from East Belfast to Ballinmallard and if you follow Sat Nav, the last ten miles of your journey will be on country roads that are no more than lanes, one of them is aptly named Clabby Road. Or if you take the Enniskillen route, it is about 6 miles further, but you're at least on decent roads. That's what I learned about yesterday's trip to Fernly Park, the football from the Sky Blues was abysmal to say the least but this wasn't helped by bungling officials, who managed to miss a blatant head-butt on Archie, which resulted in him having to come off for treatment at the side-line. His assailant, Curran, didn't come off so lucky, he had to be substituted, Sky Blue fans that I spoke to were in agreement, he deserved nothing better. Referee Tim Marshal added insult to injury by instructing Captain Jenks to play the ball back to the Mallard's keeper Alvin Rouse.

United showing one change from last Saturday's line-up, Neil Lowry in for Ally Teggart, never got going on the bumpy pitch, too many misplaced passes and Jenks threat was nullified and when he did get a chance, his touch deserted him. Cush, the pick of our forwards was harshly booked for a lunging tackle, his first foul and then subjected to retribution from the Mallards players that went unpunished. Jamie D was ploughing a lone furrow up front, but he looked to be fouled as he headed goalwards, referee Marshal gave a corner. Dwayne Nelson was in inspired form and he dealt efficiently with everything the Mallards could muster. Cookie done some great things but then messed up on the simple things, but Johnny Taylor was a tower of strength and he needed to be. Halftime was reached scoreless, well we had no ideas how to breach the home defence and our back four and keeper were rock steady.

2nd half
The second half was almost a carbon copy of the first, but we had more of the play, without troubling Alvin Rouse in the home team's goal. Ten minutes into the half Spike took off Vaulsey and brought on Kane and we started to look more dangerous, but the final pass was not there. In one mazy run, Jamie D found himself an opening but his shot flew harmlessly wide. Then Cush sent a powder-puff shot into the arms of Rouse from the edge of the box, after good work from Thompson. Sparky came on for Lowry supposedly to take some of the weight off Jamie D, but it didn't work. What was working very well was the relationship between Mallards manager Whitey Robinson and referee Tim Marshal. Every time Whitey shouted for a Sky Blue player to be booked, referee Marshal flourished the yellow card.

Spike was livid with this turn of events and he remonstrated with the 4th official all to no avail. Assistant manager Lee Docherty took up the cause, but the 4th official was unimpressed with his diatribe and he sat down. The Mallards had a couple of chances late on but couldn't take advantage of them and the match petered out to a draw, which was a fair result, if boring. Spike knows the problems we face, we're not creating enough openings going forward and he needs to change things now he has these three opening fixtures behind him. I suppose if somebody had said at the start of the season I'll give you 5 points and no goals conceded, Spike would have said I'll take that. But it was obvious at this game we need another plan if sitting back and hitting on the break is not working and we need it fast!

Nelson (8), Vaulsey (7)(Sub: Kane 7,), Ruddy (7) Cookie (6), Taylor (8), Archie (7), Lowry (6)(Sub: Sparky 6,), Jenks (6), Thompson (7), Cush (8), Jamie D (6)

Man of the match: Dwayne Nelson

Drab Draw!

United and Crues played out a drab draw at Seaview on Saturday in the sunshine. For the advocates of summer football this match set them back a few years. I'm convinced you can't play football on 3G pitches, the United players kept slipping and sliding and tried to play incisive passes, but they were easily cut out. Crues on the other hand, played long balls out of defence and fought for secondary possession and it must be said they had the bulk of possession. That they didn't turn this possession into goals says much for the United defence, where Cookie and Taylor were outstanding ably backed up by keeper Dwayne Nelson. Spike made only one change from his starting line-up of last week, Gary Thompson making his debut for the Sky Blues in place of the injured Elvis.

As luck would have it, Gary had the first opportunity, but with only former United keeper Sean O'Neill to beat, he shot straight at Ogers and he made a fairly routine save. Seven minutes into the half Crues player Coates had to come off injured, but he wasn't supposed to be playing anyway and he was supposed to out for six weeks, was that Crues manager Baxter trying 'pull the wool' over Spike's eyes I wondered? Referee Davey, who I haven't seen before flourished a yellow card to Ally Teggart for what can only be described as a clumsy foul and then showed his biased nature later when he failed to caution Rainey of Crues for a head to collision. Later on he gave a stern talking to McMaster for an 'over the ball' tackle on Cush which should've brought at least a yellow of not a red card. One minute later Cush returned the favour by a cynical tackle on the Crues player, a case of tit for tat, or brick for rat.

Not much was seen of last season's leading goalscorer Cutch, a few dives conning the ref and one dangerous cross, but he was well marshalled by the United defence. Rainey found himself some space on the left but Dwayne was equal to his shot and saved smartly. Cush had a free-kick saved by Ogers but the major talking point came about in the 43rd minute. Crues had brought on Magowan in place Coates and he was marking young Jamie D well but on this occasion Jamie D found himself up against the ageing Leeman. As he wriggled away from the veteran/pensioner he was pulled to the ground and as Leeman was the last man it was a foregone conclusion that a red card was issued. Referee Davey had other ideas and merely flourished a yellow. Unfortunately United couldn't make anything from the free-kick and the Crues 'got away with it' aided and abetted by referee Davey.

2nd half
The second half was merely a carbon copy of the first half, Crues pressure with United hitting on the break. Timmy Adamson, who I foolish thought at one stage could be the answer to our striking problems, came on at halftime for the home team and on this showing we had a lucky escape. He had a touch like an elephant and was completely snuffed by Taylor and Cookie. United rode their luck in one goalmouth scramble but the chance was snuffed by Ruddy clearing the ball. At the other end Ally had a chance but his lob, like the previous week at the Showgrounds, cleared the bar. This was almost Ally's last participation in the match as Spike decided to change things bringing on McCabe for for him. Jenks got a cheer when he dispossessed his wee travelling companion Cutch, who didn't like it, bragging rights to Jenks later in the ferry no doubt.

We were looking more to win it now and Spike brought on Kane for Thompson who was looking jaded, to try to create something. With a spell of United pressure McCabe had a great chance to break the deadlock but like Thompson before him he shot straight at Ogers and missed the rebound as well. As a last ditch Spike took off Cush and brought on Sparky but the match petered out to drab draw. I feel I must admonish the Crues management here for only having only one turnstile manned at the United end which resulted in a long queue and I'm sure some Sky Blue fans missed the start of the match, get your act together! All in all it was a bad experience at Seaview, devoid of real football action and a dearth of goals, I hope Ballinamallard play on grass!

Nelson (8), Vaulsey (7), Ruddy (7), Cookie (8), Taylor (8), Ally (7)(Sub: McCabe 7,), Jenks (7), Thompson (7)(Sub: Kane 7,), Archie (7), Cush (7)(Sparky 7,), Jamie D (7)

Man of the match: Johnny Taylor

Not Missed!

To all the players who had to sit out United's encounter with champions Linfield, for one reason or another, I have to say you weren't really missed. Because of injury,suspension and something better to do on a Saturday afternoon, United were missing 9 players and they had three teenagers on their bench. In the absence of Kane and Rodgers Spike switched the versatile Vaulsey to rightback and he hardly put a foot wrong, including two timely clearances. Spike then brought in former Crues player Michael Ruddy at leftback and after a somewhat shaky start he was incredible and looks pacey. Reliable Archie slotted in, in front of the defence in our 4,1,3,2 formation and he had his best game for sometime.

The midfield trio of Captain Jenks, Cush and Ally never gave their opposite numbers in the Blues midfield any respite and Cush in particular was a constant threat. Elvis looked slow and missing the most of pre-season with a thigh injury has taken it's toll, but he showed a few nice touches. Jamie D on the other hand was a revelation and gave Stephen 'U couldn't score in Ahoghill' Douglas a torrid time in the first half. Cookie Munster partnered Johnny Taylor at the back and it's safe to say they were the rock that the Linfield forwards found impregnable. Dwayne in goal did everything that was asked of him and rode his luck when he feebly punched a cross. At the other end Elvis should have done better with Cush free-kick sending his free header wide.

United had started brightly and nearly took the lead in the 5th minute when Ally nipped between Murphy and Blaney only to see his lob clear the crossbar. The linesman at the Fisherwick end 'missed' a blatant offside and Cookie, who had made up ground, earned himself a booking with a professional foul on McAllister. Elvis was cleaned in the box but referee Courtenay waved play on and all in fairness he denied the visitors two for diving, I think Garret's one was a twist in the piked position, or was that Tom Daley. United took the lead in the 43rd minute after Cush found Jamie D with deft back-heel (which Paul Hardy would have been proud of) and the youngster left Douglas for dead and calmly slotted the ball past Blaney to rapturous applause.

The board was held up for two minutes of added time and after Cookie cleared the ball after some pressure by the visitors, McAllister 'went through' him, missed by both linesman and referee. Elvis should have punished them when he found himself in the clear but he delayed too long and the chance was lost. Despite Cookie lying injured in our penalty box, the Linfield players showing their unsportmanship, were no hurry to kick the ball into touch and the referee had to call play to a halt and no action was taken against the perpetrator, McAllister. When the halftime whistle sounded United came off to rapturous applause from the sparse crowd. I couldn't help wondering if in later years people would be asking 'where were you when Jamie D scored his first home goal', I was there.

2nd half
Elvis who had been limping didn't come out for the 2nd half, with Baker taking his place, but the pattern remained the same, Linfield pressure and United hitting on the break. Cush, looking fitter, sped up the right wing and surprised Blaney (but not me), by going for goal and the keeper made a good save. Baker was leading the line well and the blues had no answer to the surging runs of Jenks and Cush. Cush set up Jamie D with another back-heel and he was unlucky to see his shot clear the crossbar with Blaney well beaten. Then it was Cush bursting down the left wing cutting inside and blasting a shot past Blaney only to see it striking the bar, it would made a great goal.

Ally who had been rather quiet, suddenly sprung to life, winning the ball in the centre circle and releasing Jamie D with a delightful pass and the ace marksman out-sprinted the creaking Blues defence before slotting the ball past Blaney to make the score 2-0 and his personally tally to two as well. Matthew Tipton, who United tried to sign in the close season, before he opted for Linfield, had come on in the 2nd half and on this showing we had a lucky escape, he had a touch like an elephant. Jordan Baker had to be replaced when he wilted under a foul tackle, missed by the officials. He had tried to carry on and was eventually replaced by youngster Corey Price. Jamie D crowned a great display by out-foxing two Linfield players on the touchline at the corner flag, was there a Susan there I wondered and sprinting into the box only to be tripped, but the referee waved play on.

Despite United only making one substitution in playing time, Baker was substituted at halftime so the ref didn't have to stop his watch, he saw fit to add on 4 minutes. But if this was a ploy to get the blues a goal, it foundered on a great United display and a great home win. I have to say the referee was consistent, he booked two Linfield players for dissent, ignored them fouling at every opportunity, he denied both teams 'penalty' shouts and booked United players with wild abandon, five yellow cards seems a bit extreme to me, but we know from the past the 'ham shank' Courtenay is consistently bad. But lets not take anything away from this great victory crafted by Spike and his ex-Linfield team-mates, it was almost perfection. I don't want to sound too hopeful, the pessimist in me is saying 'remember last year', but it was great, same line-up again for me, barring injuries of course!


Dwayne (7), Vaulsey (8), Ruddy (8), Cookie (7), Taylor (8), Archie (8), Cush (8), Jenks (8), Ally (7), Elvis (7)(Sub: Baker 7,Sub Price 7,), Jamie D (8)

Man of the match: Jamie D