Goliath Slain!

When you knock out the holders of a competition as prestigious as the County Antrim Shield, you have a right to feel proud and liken the victory to that which the bible tells resulted in David defeating Goliath. Make no mistake this was a resounding victory for United, I'm only disappointed they had to fashion it in front of their lowest crowd all season. Where were all their ''legendary' Sky Blue fans last night, who couldn't be bothered to get their arses down to see the wee Sky Blues, it beggars belief. United manager Spike made four changes from his starting line-up and one positional change from his team of last Saturday. Out went Tony Kane and Cookie Munster from the back four, Archie switched to central defence in place of Cookie, Chrissy Rodgers and (Hammersmith)Ross Black came in to take up the fullbacks role. Michael Ruddy got the nod over the disappointing Ally, who had a stinker against the scum and James McCabe came in for the injured Captain Jenks, with Archie assuming the role of Captain.

Archie duly won the toss and we started off with the wind in our favour and as early as the 6th minute, Cush tested former United keeper Ryan Brown and again in the 12th minute and Brown was happy to see him missing the target. Chickenville showing a few changes from their usual line-up stepped up the pressure but couldn't break the United defence where Archie and the superb Johnny Taylor were rocks. Only one time did they look vulnerable when Johnny slipped on the wet surface and when the ball came in Archie and Dwayne got in each others way and Reds forward George McMullan's header missed the target, referee Ross Dunlop surprisingly gave a corner when no United player had touched the ball, needless to say I found this unsurprising. Cush then got his head to a superb Black free-kick which the keeper could only parry, but it was eventually cleared. But Cush wasn't going to be denied for long, in 31 mins after some neat work by McCabe he gave Brown no chance with a rasping shot to give United the lead.

In the remainder of the half United were content to soak up pressure from the visitors and attempt to hit them on the break. Referee Ross Dunlop was fairly lenient with the robust tackles coming from both sides especially the visitors. But he surprisingly took one of the visitors player's name when he was guilty of a hand ball and kicking the ball away. United kept trying to play football which was good to see although a long clearance from Dwayne nearly embarrassed Brown in the opposite goal. The United midfield three of Ruddy on the left, Gavin inside and Gary Thompson on the right gave us a solid look and were a far cry from last Saturday's abysmal performance, while the two teenagers Jamie D and James Mac ably backed up by David 'the slingshot' Cushley gave the Reds defenders no respite.

2nd half
The major talking point in the second-half was how United failed to add to their score despite numerous chances. Chief culprit was James Mac, first he rose unmarked to a brilliant Cush corner and incredulously headed it wide with the goal gaping. Then when the brilliant Cush sprinted up the left-wing and put over a gem of a cross, hard and low, he failed to get a touch and late-on from another piece of magic this time from Johnny Taylor he took up the wrong position and the chance went begging. I hasten to add that James Mac had a good game and run his heart out and was replaced by Sparky late on. Michael Ruddy should have scored when he went round keeper Brown only to seem to get the ball mixed up with his feet. From a corner partially cleared Gavin rifled a shot from 30 yards narrowly past with the keeper beaten all ends up. Not to be outdone Cush tried a shot from distance, but this time it was easy for Brown to collect.

The visitors had their moments too and Johnny Taylor cleared one effort off the line much to the relief of the Sky Blue faithful. Referee Dunlop missed at least 3 blatant tackles which should have brought at least a yellow card and one when Jamie D was punched after the ball had gone. But his biggest gaffe was to signal for a corner to the visitors when Rodgers saw the ball pass over him with a yard to spare and the Chickenville forward, Boyce I think it was, try to keep the ball alive but failing and referee Dunlop astounded everybody by signalling for a corner. With 15 minutes to go Spike removed Jamie D with Neil Lowry taking his place. Lowry it has to said is not an 'out and out' striker but he filled in quite well, but he made a few wrong choices, but that's all down to experience and he has no better teacher than the legendary 'Spike'.

The referee decide to add on 4 minutes at the end of the ninety and Gary Thompson, who had battled with Reds Ryan Catney all night showed his experience by helping his team run down the clock. Finally the ref blew his whistle, Goliath had been slain, United were in the semi-final, deservedly! I thought the response from the players after Saturdays debacle was magnificent and the players who came in dovetailed perfectly. It will be interesting to see who Glenn selects for our next match on Friday night against the undefeated Glens, will it be the same again or will he just tweak it a little, barring injuries I wouldn't be surprised if he says same again. No matter who he picks, we need the same commitment as that shown last night, then maybe we can slay another Goliath!


Nelson(8), Rodgers (7), Black (7), Archie (8) Taylor (8) Thompson (8), Gavin (7), Ruddy (7), Cush (8), Jamie D (7)(Sub: Lowry 7,), James Mac (7)(Sub; Sparky (6)

Man of the match: (David) Cushley