Spike Delivers!

United reached the County Antrim Shield final against the IFA (Linfield), with this victory over DC. It was not a classic match by any means, but United fully merited their win by two goals to nil and the victory means a first final for our manager Spike and his backroom staff. Opinions are divided on what has been the catalyst in United's performance under their new management team. Spike has got the players he wanted, Johnny Taylor, Gary Thomson, Cush and Alan Davidson and three of them played last night, Johnny Taylor was injured. He also signed a couple of young players Jimmy Mac and Mike Ruddy and all these players played their part last night. As if to emphasise their worth, Cush was involved in the first goal last night, Alan D scored it and Thommo scored the third after a sublime pass from Jimmy Mac. Mike Ruddy has been out of favour lately, but he got his chance last night when he came on as a sub for Cookie and he didn't let the side down.

But for me the biggest transformation has been wrought by a Ballymena man, Big Wes Lamont, United's goalkeeping coach. Big Wes has turned our keeper, Dwayne Nelson, into one of the best keepers in the league. He hadn't a lot to do last night, but he performed his task in a professional manner and was a steadying influence in what was our old defence, under previous manager Roy Walker and I don't need to tell anybody that defence was as porous as a sieve. True DC won a few headers too many but I like to think Dwayne had them covered and he made just one mistake in the 2nd half, threatening to come for a ball and then changing his mind but after a bit of panicking we got the ball cleared anyway and spared his blushes, no doubt Big Wes will have something to say about that at training. United manager Spike was forced into two changes due to the injury to Taylor and Sparky being suspended. Cookie, who was doubtful himself, came in for Johnny and Alan D got the nod to replace Sparky.

Concerns was voiced in our Sky Blue Sports preview of this match on the risks of playing Alan D and Thommo in the same team and for an hour of this match they all looked too obvious. Alan D seemed to want to be involved in everything, threatening to take throw-ins, which he never did and taking short free-kicks which were all a waste of time and energy. We rarely take quick throw-ins and free-kicks, it doesn't seem to be in our plans. There was a minute's silence before the match for one of Donegal Celtic youth coaches who had tragically died, observed with respect by all at the game. United Captain Archie had won the toss for the 2nd game in a row and elected to play from to right to left in the direction of Farm Lodge and against a fairly strong breeze. Whether by choice or just hoping to take advantage of the wind, DC used long ball tactics and United struggled to deal with this and I for one was starting to worry.

DC had a well oiled offside trap but I was hoping we could break it and so it proved. Ally it was who broke clear but he delayed his shot and let a defender rob him of a good opportunity. DC forced a couple of corners and got free headers to them but thankfully they missed the target. When United started to play, DC were having none of it and got stuck in. After one robust tackle which should have brought a yellow card, referee Carville merely talked to the culprit, a complete waste of time. The pattern continued for most of the half, United trying to play football, getting fouled, with the referee not playing the advantage or straying offside when he did. Finally referee Carville booked a DC man and as if to even things up booked Kane of United for his first foul, though it looked bad, the DC player didn't need treatment (he fooled the referee). Near halftime Jamie cut in from the left and his deflected shot was saved by Connolly in the DC goal. The teams went in scoreless at halftime and I hoped for United to come out after their cuppa and take this match by the scruff of neck and put it to rest.

2nd half
During the halftime interval, Jimmy Mac, got stripped down to his playing kit and I thought he had got the nod to come on at halftime and I was idly thinking who was he coming on for. But United took the field with the same eleven, but there was a bit more urgency in their play. Cush drew cries of derision, with a free-kick, high and wide and Jamie was tripped in the box right in front of the linesman and Jamie seemed to say something to him on the lines that he thought the linesman should have his eyes tested (fecking blind love child), or words to that effect and was duly booked. In the same incident the linesman missed the ball being out of play for our throw-in and then signalled for a throw-in to DC when it crossed the line a second time. Jamie was visibly upset with this turn of events and I thought he was going to lose the rag altogether, when he needed to calm down. Spike told Jimmy Mac to get ready but delayed his coming on, no doubt to get his tactics right.

Jamie almost broke the deadlock, when his curling shot form the edge of box was tipped away by keeper Connolly. Two minutes later Jamie was replaced by Jimmy Mac and we started to look menacing. In the 62 minute the United forwards, with Cush deeply involved, were exchanging passes in the DC box and when the ball finally came to Alan D he drove it home for his first goal of the season. United were rampant after this and in the 68 mins Jimmy Mac chased a long ball, cut inside and set up Thommo, who scored with aplomb. United should have added to their score they were that dominant for a spell, but DC wouldn't lie down and they caused us some anxious moments in the closing stages. They had a shout for a penalty, but I couldn't see what it was for and the ref was unimpressed. Cush came off to be replaced by Lowry and he was lively but he seemed to want to walk the ball in.

The linesman at the Fisherwick end and the referee punished Tony Kane for taking two throw-ins from the wrong place. I thought they had to warn him first, but I heard no such warning and they gave the throw to DC, they make up the rules as they go along I think. Cookie, who was struggling with injury had to come off to be replaced with Mike Ruddy and United held firm to record a merited victory. They could have scored more and Alan D shot wide with the goal at his mercy, but two was enough and with three meetings with the IFA confirmed in the next seven games, it's well that United keep something in reserve for the games ahead. With Cookie coming off injured it will be interesting to see who gets the nod in central defence in United's next match at Dungannon on Friday night, Chris Rodgers who came on last Saturday was not even in the panel for last night's game. If Taylor's not fit, then it could fall to old utility man Sparky, watch this space for developments!

Nelson (7), Kane (6), Black (7), Archie (6), Cookie (6)(Sub: Ruddy 6,), Thommo (7), Alan D (7), Gavin (7), Cush (6)(Sub: Lowry 6,), Ally (5), Jamie (7)(Sub: Jimmy Mac 7),

Man of the match: Gary Thompson

Flat Beer!

In the build-up to this match I thought it was going to be a humdinger, but it turned to be a disappointing fixture because of the Lards cynical tactics aided and abetted by a weak referee. True to form the Lards were incisive going forward, but their constant fouling and niggling tactics when United tried to play football were plain to see. How the referee, failed to book a Lards forward when he kicked United's Johnny Taylor off the ball, beggars belief and I think he has to bear the responsibility for the melee just before halftime right in front of the United dugout. If he had taken charge earlier in the game and flourished at least a yellow card for the incident involving Taylor getting kicked, he might have nipped it in the bud. I hate to say this but I think Johnny was taking retribution when he fouled Feeney on the touchline which necessitated in them both being substituted.

United,with one change in their line-up from the previous week, Taylor replacing the suspended Cookie, actually won the toss and decided to attack their favourite Fisherwick end the first half. They started brightly and Cush found himself in space but his shot was wide and didn't trouble keeper Rouse in the Lards goal. The United defence went asleep in the 12th minute and it was the left flank that was found wanting. The Lards nippy forwards blazed a trail right through our weak tackles and when nobody went to close Curran on the right, he had ample time to cross and pick out Feeney and his free header found the back of the net. When I played football many moons ago, we were always taught to not let crosses in, but the United defence haven't learned that lesson, yet. The remainder of the half was mainly played in the Fisherwick end and the Lards were breaking up play at will and the ref took no action.

They had a well oiled offside trap, but I wasn't unduly worried about this, for in my experience this usually is a teams downfall, they get caught and somebody gets in behind them. United should have equalised from this very scenario, when Jamie timed his run to perfection but from 16 yards shot straight at Rouse who saved at the expense of a corner. It would be interesting to hear Rouse's take on this save, whether took a chance on Jamie shooting high and at the other side of the goal of his previous one last week at Ballyskeagh, or was just a reaction save. Then we had the first incident involving Taylor when he shepherded the ball out over the touchline and a Lards player took exception to this and kicked out at Taylor. Whether Johnny said something to draw this reaction I don't honestly know, but if it was without provocation and right in front the 4th official, he had to go I think.

The referee, McNabb I think is his name, didn't even book the culprit, which didn't go down well with our bench and the 4th official Crangle, called the ref over and our goalkeeping coach, big Wes, was ejected from the match, ironic or what! United redoubled their efforts and got a penalty when a Thommo shot for goal was handled. Up stepped Ally to send Rouse the wrong way to tie the scores and the referee didn't even book the culprit who had handled. In the 2 minutes of added time United launched an all out attack on the Lards goal and when an attack broke down Taylor saw his chance and took out the Lards player Feeney on the touchline, a bad foul and if the referee had been stricter earlier, a foul that could've been avoided. With both players lying on Stock car track, McCartney of Lards came over and grabbed Taylor's throat and then all hell broke loose and they were scuffles aplenty involving both sets of players and the two benches.

The outcome of this was yellow for Taylor and Gavin and a red for McCartney, but I personally I saw four punches being thrown, but seeing as how the ref didn't have control of the match, this was probably the best outcome. Chris Rodgers was called up to come on as sub for Taylor and the match was delayed for a good five minutes but he was still not ready when the play restarted and it was ten against ten. The ref blew his whistle for halftime and we still hadn't got our sub on and I wondered what was going to happen next.

2nd half
Taylor came out for the 2nd half but only lasted 5 minutes or so and was replaced by Rodgers. Chris didn't look too comfortable on the ball and United were trying to build from the back and truth be told we struggled against the ten men. We had plenty of play up to their box, but we couldn't get the vital pass and were forced to shoot from long range. The Lards were well organised, proof if proof were needed, they must be used to playing a man short and created the best three openings but missed them all. Dwayne came to United rescue when a hopeful punt looked likely to be good with a last ditch save. United did have the ball in the net when Jamie got free, but was adjudged offside. In the move of the match, Jamie got to the byline and passed to Ally's but his touch went wide, a good chance gone. Spike made two substitutions, first Gavin making way for Alan D and I was amazed at this for Thommo was struggling and Ally making way for Jimmy Mac, which left us with no width on the pitch.

Cush had a few shots from distance which didn't trouble Rouse and one which did and Alan D beat him with a low shot which hit the post, but we couldn't get the vital breakthrough. I was dreading the first United mistimed tackle, for I thought the referee would want to even the scores so to speak. He let the lards get away with some cynical fouls epitomised by one on Cush that brought a fierce reaction from the player and our bench, but no card. The Lards rightback, McConkey (Harry's son), went on a mazy run and beating three of our players only to be fouled clumsily by Sparky. It was a bad foul, admittedly, but given what the referee had permitted to go unpunished before it surely was at most a yellow card or a good talking to. But as I said earlier the ref wanted to even the score and he sent Sparky off and added insult to injury. The Lards bench had broke out of their area demanding a red card and had to be restrained by our stewards but Crangle took no action against them, no surprise there.

It was ten against ten now but we wanted the three points and we continued to probe but couldn't find the vital touch that would unlock the resolute defending by the Lards. Cush almost snatched it when he found himself in space and tried a snap shot but it just went narrowly wide with Rouse flat-footed. There was to be no fairytale ending and United had snatched another draw from the jaws of victory. I think we are missing the experience of Captain Alan Jenks, we had nobody directing us in midfield and were too obvious and easy to read. Jenks has loads of experience playing in Scotland and I'm sure he has been in that situation many times in the past. No crying over spilt milk, we have a semi-final to look forward to on Tuesday night and it wont be easy but we should prevail, anything else is unthinkable!


Nelson (7), Kane (7), Black (6), Taylor (6)(Sub: Rodgers 6,), Archie (6), Thommo (5), Gavin (7)(Sub: Alan D (6), Sparky (6), Cush (7), Ally (6)(Sub: Mac 6,), Jamie (7)

Man of the match: Dwayne Nelson

Super Mac!

At halftime, as I and Sammy Patterson, stood watching our subs warm up(having a kick-about), we couldn't help remarking about the two distinct groups. In a group of three we had, Taylor, Alan D and Vaulsey and in a group of two, Jimmy Mac and Neil Lowry. As Lowry and Mac were practising taking penalties I said to Sammy, they obviously think there's no chance of getting on and as it turns out, I was 50% right. Maybe Spike had told them to practice their shooting and he acted upon that in the 2nd half, we will probably never know. The rumour mill was having Alan D starting in place of Sparky and Taylor in place of Cookie, but I'm glad to say Sky Blue Sport got it right, as everyone was fit, the same line-up as last week got the nod. It's safe to say we had not the better of the opening exchanges and Ligget and Halliday were giving our twin centre-halves a torrid time, but they, ably backed up by the impressive Dwayne, weathered the storm. From a corner taking by Cush, Brennan in the Whites goal collected easily and Cush was heard admonishing Cookie on why he wasn't celebrating his second goal in as many matches for the ball was delivered to the proper place, at least Cush seemed to think so.

United had a let-off at the other end when Ligget found himself in space after the United defence was undone, but with the goal at his mercy he screwed his shot wide. Straight-away United counter-attacked and Jamie D was fouled on the edge the box and after booking the perpetrator, referee Carvill left him in no doubt that he was on his last chance. Five minuets later Jamie found himself in the clear and he swerved to the left and found the top corner with a crisp left-foot shot, a contender for the 'goal of the season', me thinks, but what do I know. That goal came in the 28 mins but the Whites to their credit continued to subject us to pressure. They seemed to have a found a player in Jordan Hughes and the United defence were undone in one mazy run as he out-foxed 4 defenders, before dragging a shot wide, I like to think Dwayne had his angles covered. We had another let-off when a Halliday cross flashed across our six-yard box but lucky nobody could supply the finishing touch. at this stage we were indebted to Gavin and Sparky who came to the aid of our beleaguered defenders.

2nd Half
United took the field with the same players and the conversation between the Sky Blue Sports team was who would make way eventually for Alan D. The consensus seemed to suggest it would be Thommo, who suffice to say was not having the best game against his former team. The United forwards were finding difficult to get a foothold in the match and after 8 minutes Spike decided to make a change. To the amazement of I and the 'Sports team, Spike took off Jamie and brought on Jimmy Mac. Whether Jamie had a a problem it's hard to say, but he disappeared down the tunnel to the changing rooms right away, making me think he had. It didn't take Mac long to make his presence felt when in 57 mins he found space on the left wing. A United fan could be heard shouting, 'switch it' and when he duly did, it ricocheted from a Whites defenders foot into the path of Cush, who swept into the net leaving Brennan clutching at air. This goal seemed to 'kill off' the Whites resistance and I think we could've scored about at least five more goals.

If you are normal reader of my column you will have gathered I have no time for quick free-kicks and short-corners, but I may have to rethink my ideas relating to United's 3rd goal. When Ally was fouled out on the right, Kaney took it short to Ally and he found Mac's head and Mac's header found the net as simple as that. That goal came in the 63rd minute and six mins later Mac got on the end of a through ball and gave Brennan no chance to make the score 4-0. I have to say that the scoreline flattered United but we've been there and maybe it was one of those days for the Whites, but they continued to play and should've got at least a consolation goal. Spike took off Gavin and brought on Alan D in between Mac's two goals and he had two great chances to score but he failed to test the keeper. Johnny Taylor got a run at the expense of Cookie and it's fair to say he looked rusty. The Whites luck was right out when they had an effort cleared off the line and Dwayne came to our rescue, diving at the feet of Halliday.

United missed two glorious chances to extend their lead, when first Ally blasted wide from the narrow angle and then Thommo clean through could only find the keeper instead of the empty net. Another chance was lost when Ally failed to find Mac running alongside him and passed to Alan D who bleanged a shot wide. Ligget was denied with an acrobatic save from Dwayne who was not going to be beaten this day. I was worried about this game, unduly as it turned out, for I saw a headline in a dream last night that said Ballymena beaten, but it's probably relating to that other club in Ballymena, that play at Eaton Park. I hope I dream that dream many times in the coming months and hopefully this is the start of something big for our club. If we can win well without playing top notch, what can we do when we really turn it on. We are in 6th place and depending on the result of the scum/Linfield game, we could stay there for seven days at least, but knowing our hated neighbours, they'll capitulate to Linfield, just to spite us!

Nelson (8), Kaney (7), Black (7), Cookie (8)(Sub: Taylor 6,), Archie (7), Thommo (6), Sparky (8), Gavin (8)(Sub: Alan D 6,), Cush (8), Ally (6) Jamie D (8)(Sub: Mac 8,)

Man of the match: Dwayne Nelson

Firing Blanks!

United gained maximum points yesterday against Glenavon, but they were made to sweat because of their inability to turn clear cut chances into goals. Chief culprit and ultimately hero for United was Ally Teggart. Ally should've had the match ball in his possession, as he missed three sitters in the first half, but did supply the corner which Cookie converted via a Glenavon player and then scored the winner himself in the 2nd half. Alls well that ends well we often say, but Glenavon made us sweat but our defence under severe pressure held firm and Cookie was supreme in the back four. Glenavon seem to have found a striker in Bates and he gave Archie a torrid time and fair play to Archie he stuck at it, but he needs to be more physical, dare I say it, he needs to more like his dad. In the absence of Johnny Taylor, it was the old Roy Walker defence of Kane, Archie, Cookie and Black.

In midfield it was Thommo, Sparky and Gavin and up front it was Cush, Ally and Jamie D. We lost the toss for the 2nd game in a row and had to attack our 'favourite' goals at the Fisherwick end in the first half with the wind at our backs. Straight from the kick-off we forced a corner, but Cush didn't get it past the first man and it resulted in another corner. This one was much better but we still couldn't get anybody on the end of it and it came to nothing. But we should've taken the lead early on when Ally burst through and with only the keeper to beat, his right-foot shot only found the keeper Coleman's legs, a bad miss. The linesman at that end of the ground was absolute crap and he flagged for offside against Jamie who ran from his own half. Thommo went on a surging run and seemed to be tripped at the far side of the ground but the referee booked him for simulation, I'd like to see that again. The linesman at our end missed an offside and Ally, a good 5 yards offside, was allowed to go on and with only the keeper to beat, messed up again hitting it straight at him.

United survived a couple of scares when Bates found himself in the clear and first Dwayne saved and secondly after rounding Dwayne, Bates inexplicably could only find the side-netting, a real let-off. United finally broke the deadlock when Ally took over corner taking duties and found Cookie at the far post and his header came off the bar and into net off the unfortunate Sean McCashin. Cush then missed a chance when he dribbled across the park but his effort in beating Coleman missed the goals. Then Ally missed what should've been his hat-trick when Sparky found him with a quick throw-in, to ironic cries of offside, but he managed to miss the target altogether a horrible miss, at least he worked the keeper on the other two times. With halftime approaching Cush had a shot from the edge of box and a deflection took onto a post and away for a corner, oh so close to another goal. From the resultant corner, this time taking by Kane, when the ball was played back to Kane he was taken out but referee Platt who had earlier booked Brown and Neill of Glenavon either side of United's goal, ignored this infringement.

2nd half
Davy King announced there were 1008 spectators at the match and although they didn't see many goals, they were treated to plenty of action. Jamie should have done better with an early chance when he found himself in the clear but Coleman saved well. Then Ally was floored in the box but the referee seemed to motion that there was minimal contact, I think Ally hesitated as he didn't want to go one on one with the keeper again and the penalty seemed to be the safest option. McCashin found himself in the referee's book for a heavy challenge, but the referee and linesman and yours truly missed a heavy tackle on Ross Black which resulted in the United man having to be helped off with Vaulsey taking his place. The visitors made their 2nd substitution at this venture with McCrory replacing Docherty, but I don't know if there was any significance in this or just tactical. I had missed the incident for I was following play at the other end as Cush missed the target shooting for the narrow angle which the keeper seemed to have covered.

Two minutes later Spike took off Jamie and brought on Lowry, Jamie had been floored earlier which should've have resulted in at least a yellow card, but the referee amazed the United camp by merely giving a corner. Whether Spike thought Jamie was carrying a knock or tiring is open to speculation but he brought on Lowry anyway.
Lowry looked lively when he came on but got caught offside on numerous occasions, some of them very close. Glenavon played their last ace in the 66 minute bringing on player/manager Hamilton and laying siege to United's goal. United couldn't clear their lines and Dwayne saved well from Hamilton at the expense of a corner. When this corner came over the United defence didn't deal very well with it and Hagen scored at the near post and I have to say it was a deserved equaliser. Straight from the kick-off Thommo found Cush and he sped up the wing and crossed for Ally to score easily, easily the best move of the match and the visitors looked shell-shocked. That goal came after 71 minutes and 3 minutes later Thommo made way for Alan D.

Thereafter it was a question of us holding out and trying to hit on the break, but when he broke we just kept straying offside. I have to say the defence and Sparky were immense in this period although Vaulsey gave us one heart stopping moment with a mistimed back-pass but Dwayne dealt with it capably as always. The referee let us away with a doubtful tackle in the box as the visitors tried desperately to get an equaliser. With 4 minutes added time United were hanging on and the visitors had another claim for a penalty when Bates was blocked but the referee 'god bless him' waved play on. In a last throw of the dice the visitors hero, keeper Coleman, came up for a corner and the ball fell to him. If he had chose to shoot instead of pass he might have got an equaliser his team deserved for he seemed to have space, but he decided to pass and the ball was cleared to Lowry who needed to find Ally breaking on the left but his pass was blocked into touch and the referee brought proceedings to a halt.

We had survived and broke our sequence of draws at home, but we made it tough for ourselves and Glenavon, I think deserved a share of the spoils. United fans are crying out for a striker, I don't think we need a striker as such, what we need is to be more clinical in front of goals. Nice football is alright, but it's goals that count and goals win matches. Next up for the Sky Blues is a away trip to the Whites, who are back to winning ways and then we entertain new boys and league leaders Ballinmallard United, this looks like being a humdinger of a match. Hopefully Taylor will be back then and maybe, just maybe, Elvis, not the unfit Elvis we seen on last Tuesday, but the Elvis we saw in the latter stages of last season, I can hardly wait. If you have time be sure to read Omar's column where he gives a tribute to the late Noel 'Stroker' Millar, well worth a read. By an ironic twist of fate, Stroker's good friend and work colleague, Declan McGreevy (Deckers), was appointed manager of DC, congrats Deckers, we'll see you on the 30th no doubt!

Nelson (7), Kane (7), Black (7)(Sub: Vaulsey (6), Cookie (8), Archie (6), Thommo (6)(Sub: Alan D 6,), Sparky (8), Gavin (7) Cush (8), Ally (7), Jamie (7)(Sub: Lowry 6,)

Man of match: Cookie

Next Round!

The Sky Blues are in the next round, that's all I can say about this unimpressive victory over a 'workmanlike' Welders side. The Welders choose to start with only one ex-United player on the field, Paul Muir and I think they missed a trick. The Welders only started to play when King and McConnell came on as late substitutes and I think they 'scored' through McConnell although the linesman at the Fisherwick end was nowhere near up with the play and couldn't give the goal. Cookie did get back to clear the ball, but I think it was over the line and should've counted. As forecast in Sky Blue Sport news, Spike gave a start to Elvis and Alan D, but on this showing they both need a few reserves games under their belt and a rigorous fitness programme before they're ready for first team football.

In the continued absence of Johnny Taylor and the head injury to Archie, Vaulsey came in to form a partnership with Cookie and gave a resolute performance. As expected, Kane started at rightback in place of Rodgers and backup keeper Addis got a rare run out in place of Dwayne, was Dwayne dropped or only rested, only time will tell. Before the match kicked-off, there was a minute's silence for Noel 'Stroker' Millar who died last Tuesday, a real stalwart for Ballymena United, a football fanatic and a gentleman to boot, he'll be sorely missed. United lost the toss and had to play to their favoured Fisherwick end the first half and I can't recall Thompson in the Welders goal having to make a save worthy of the name throughout the first period. The much maligned Tony Kane, put over two delightful crosses, but no Sky Blue forward got on the end of them, on the downside he had some misplaced passes. The United midfield was non-functional in that they didn't know where they were playing and Gary Thompson had to ask coach Lee Docherty for guidance at one point.

Sparky, who has been getting a run in the team, had a game he'll want to forget, I don't think he found a United player with a pass all night. Alan D did some nice things but at the last moment he tried for an intricate pass, instead doing the simple thing and lost the ball. Elvis, obviously a long way short of fitness, got caught offside about 10 times at least, he won one ball in the air and he shot over the bar when well placed although the linesman had flagged him offside, but on that occasion the linesman got it wrong, because Elvis was at least 2 yards onside. The linesman also got it wrong when as Elvis was shielded the ball with Muir breathing down his neck the linesman flagged for an infringement against Elvis, but Elvis and Muir agreed there was none, but the free-kick was given to the Welders. United were trying to play possession football and they had a few nervy moments, with passes going astray and I was getting anxious that we would concede a 'soft' goal, but we survived to halftime.

2nd half
United took the field with the same personnel and the same plan but they should've taken the lead when Gary Thompson broke through but he shot early, instead drawing the keeper and put his effort over the bar. Sparky was unlucky to see a header well saved by the keeper when he looked destined to break the deadlock and Gavin Taggart, the pick of United's players, had a thunderous shot parried by the keeper but United couldn't get the breakthrough goal. Spike brought on Jamie D for Elvis and things started to liven up. Within minutes virtually after coming on Jamie D was fouled in the box and referee Marshall pointed to the spot. Up stepped Ally to confidently slot the penalty and give United a one goal lead, just about deserved. That goal came on 60 minutes and Jamie D should've increased the lead when he broke down the left, but his cross-field shot missed the target, with the keeper spread-eagled.

United had to wait until ten minutes to go to make the match 'safe' when Jamie D was floored by keeper Thompson in the box, who was lucky to stay on the field, merely getting a yellow card. Ally duly slotted home the resultant penalty down the middle of the goal with the keeper diving to Ally's left where the first penalty was struck, Sammy Patterson, actually forecast this event. Alan D was substituted with Jimmy Mac coming on and United got their insurance goal when Garret needlessly fouled Jamie D and Kane found the net with a blistering free-kick around the 'wall', although the keeper seemed to get a hand to it but couldn't prevent the score. The united defence went to sleep after this goal and when Fleming, who had replaced Gavin after the third goal, lost possession in midfield a catalogue of errors saw McConnell outfox the United defence and shoot for goal. The ball seemed to be going over the line when Cookie got back to hook it to safety, but I think if we had a 'goal-line technology' the goal would have been given.

United didn't learn from their mistake and Stuarty King, who had just come on, ghosted past Ross Black and when his cross came in Wilkinson got the final touch to get a deserved consolation goal. Referee Marshall brought the match to a halt immediately after this and United were in the next round of the Irn Bru cup. They'll need to be a marked improvement in the next round if we are to progress any further in this competition with only premier league clubs left in the draw ,there will no 'easy' games in the quarter-finals. The best that we have to look forward to is a home draw, where we will fight 'tooth and nail' to preserve our unbeaten home record. There was a slightly worrying incident when after coming off Gavin had an ice compress attached to one of his legs, I hope it's only precautionary for we will need him over the coming months if we are to progress in league and cup matches.

Addis (7), Kane (7), Black (7), Vaulsey (8), Cookie (7), Thompson (6), Gavin (8)(Sub: Fleming 6,), Sparky (5), Ally (6), Alan D (6)(Sub: Jimmy Mac 6,), Elvis (5)(Sub: Jamie D 8,)

Man of the match: Gavin Taggart