Last Gasp!

United's bogey team over the last few seasons has been undoubtedly Dungannon Swifts. The number of times United looked like getting something out of a game, up popped a Swifts player to 'spoil' things for the Sky Blues are too numerous to mention. Yesterday was no exception, with United leading 1-0, Dungannon got a free-kick on the halfway line in the 92nd minute, the United defence didn't deal properly with it and Josh Cahoon looking suspiciously off-side scored to make the score 1-1. But United had no-one to blame but themselves, admittedly referee Ross Dunlop who could've sent off at least 3 Swifts players, had a bad game but United couldn't turn their superiority into goals. United manager Spike had said after United's first game against Linfield, 'that the team need to play like that every week', but alas the performances have never reached those heights since and they'll need to 'up' their game for next 3 matches at least.

The United manager had made one change from his starting line-up of last week, James McCabe replacing the disappointing Neil Lowry, who didn't even make the panel. United had started brightly straight from the kick-off Cush found himself some space but he missed the target. Then Tony Kane had a free-kick saved by Morgan in the Swifts goal, but United were guilty of heavy final passes. McCabe had one good run down the right and the Swifts defence were glad to put it out for a corner. Halfway through the half the Swifts unsportmanship came to the fore, trying to get a United man booked for a fair tackle. Defender McMinn and Gavin came together in a 50/50 tackle, which left the Swifts player writhing in supposed agony. Referee Dunlop to his credit was not fooled by this and took a minute to bring the physio on. The physio 'worked' on the injury and surprise! Surprise!, McMinn was able to continue.

McMinn went down again writhing and I think the ref should have booked him for simulation, as it was obvious there was nothing wrong with him and he was able to continue with no apparent handicap and played the full 90 minutes. Dwayne came to United 's rescue when he came out to block a Swifts forward and the other end Swifts defender Ryan O'Neill grabbed Jamie D round the neck when the United was clean through, but he only picked up a yellow instead the mandatory red card for this offence. Swifts forward Stephen O'Neill was 'kicking out' after the ball had gone and United team coach Lee Doherty told the linesman in no uncertain terms why he should punish him for this indiscretion. The tackles from both teams were 'meaty' to say the least and United's Gary Thompson was lucky to not get a yellow for one robust tackle. United spurned a great chance to go in one-up at the break, when with the goal at his mercy Captain Jenks missed the target after a great cross from Jamie D.

2nd half
United began the 2nd half with the wind at their backs, but it was obvious that a change would be have to made and with Baker on the subs bench it was obvious that he had to come on. Spike sprung a surprise with a double substitution, taking off his two strikers, McCabe and Jamie D and bringing on Baker and Ally. Suddenly United were looking better with Ally raiding on the left and Baker make his presence felt in the centre. Baker first shot was nowhere near but his next one only cleared the crossbar with the keeper beaten. United won a free-kick and from Cush's free the keeper could only parry and Cookie drove ball home only for the linesman to flag for off-side. I can't see how this was off-side, Cookie reacted quicker than anybody but the goal was disallowed. Then Jenks missed a free header from an Ally corner which drifted by the far post and Johnny Taylor brought a marvellous save from Morgan when he got a head on one from Cush. Then in the 82 minute, when were thinking we were not going to see a goal, Ally went on a diagonal run, found Cush, who cut inside and drilled his shot into the net to give United a deserved lead.

United seemed to lose their way after this and started to defend deeper and deeper, instead of going and trying to get another goal to make the game safe. As if to emphasis this Gary Thompson made way for Sparky in an obviously ploy, a tackler for a creator. The referee then took a hand, adding on six minutes of injury time, whether he forgot to add on more in the first half, when despite about six minutes of hold-ups he only added on 3 minutes or whether he and the 4th official got their signals wrong I honestly don't know but it brought a collective 'groan' from United supporters who knew their team could not hold out that amount of time. They couldn't even hold out for 3 mins as in the 92 mins the Swifts punished United's negative tactics with a scrappy goal, that bears a similarity with the bad old days of last season, when United were leaking goals like a sieve.

True Josh Cahoon looked more offside than Cookie at the other end, but the linesman didn't even threaten to raise his flag and United were left to rue their defensive frailties. I think if they came through unscathed from this game Baker and Ally have to start at scum park next week and Jamie D as well, that'll be some formation and who does Spike leave out to accommodate them, from my perspective Captain Jenks is treading on shaky ground. On the plus side the 'Sports team correctly forecast that it be a perfect time for Cush to break his 'duck' this time around, although he has a dozen goals on United books in his first term, this one seemed to be sweeter, judging by his celebration, nearly knocking his manager off his feet. Is good to see Cush back and scoring but we need more boys to step up to the plate in the next few matches if are to get any impetus going. By an ironic twist of fate, we had the same points going in the Coleraine match last season,10, here's hoping for at least 11 when next Saturday's match is over, but 13 would be better.

Nelson (7), Kane (6), Archie (6), Cookie (6), Taylor (6), Thompson (6)(Sub: Sparky 6,), Jenks (6), Taggart (7), Cush (8), Jamie D (6)(Sub: Baker 7,), McCabe 6,(Ally 7,),

Man of the match: Cush