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