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