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