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