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