Nil Points!

The stay away supporters definitely got the better deal yesterday at Milltown, Warrenpoint. On the other hand the small band of 'dyed in the wool' supporters, who attend each and every game religiously, were let down by this lacklustre display by United. We could have in the end salvaged a point, but in truth we didn't deserve anything, but good teams do that, but alas we are far short of being a good team. But sure the boys have the Irish cup final on their mind is our management team's excuse, my response to that is, that's in eleven days time. Our manager, Glenn Ferguson, has been quoted as saying, he wants the Sky Blues to finish as high as they can. If results go our way on Saturday coming, that could be seventh, if not, we could finish eight and that would not be good.

Spike sprung a bit of a surprise by only starting one of three players returning from injury, JT and Tony K didn't start either. Macauley Cairns got a start in goal, as Shan was rested and I don't think we'll see him again to the cup final and despite coming off at halftime at Ferney, Steeky, started at leftback. All in all, Spike made only three changes from the side held to a scoreless draw at Ferney, Cairns for Shan, JT for Marky and Alan D for Sparky. Is this the team + Shan, Spike reckons will start at Windsor in eleven days time, I wouldn't be at all surprised. Maybe they had instructions to play only half-heartedly and if that's the case, they certainly didn't mess it up. We were second best throughout and owe  a huge vote of thanks to the Point forwards who missed chance after chance.

The Point wouldn't have been flattered by 6-0 scoreline and as it was, we could have got an equaliser with 2 mins to go, but it would have a travesty of justice, in the end we got what we deserved, nothing. JT, just back from injury was struggling to keep tabs on Points danger man, Daniel Hughes, but his partner Cookie, was cool, calm and collected, belying his mature years and came to our rescue time and time again. Alan D was a virtual passenger in our midfield and Gavin seemed intent on playing our keeper Cairns into all sorts of trouble, with one delayed back-pass. The Point should have two up after ten mins, when Hughes was allowed space and his powerful shot came back off the post and then he blazed over when well placed with Cairns flat-footed.

Captain Jenks failed to find the target with a free header and the out of form Cush, was struggling and for once not shooting at every opportunity. Hughes should have broken the deadlock when he lobbed Cairns, but he missed the target and then shot past when well placed. The Points keeper, Jonathan Parr, looked nervous, but the lacklustre United forwards hardly tested him. From one mishit shot from Jenks, Parr nearly spilled it into his goal but recovered to smother the ball. United wasted a corner by taking it short, what's new I hear you ask and nearly paid a heavy price as the Point managed to break, but Steeky cleared the danger. Steeky then had a chance to score when the ball fell to him outside the box, but with the goal at his mercy he blasted wide. Just before halftime, Ally had a run on goal, but couldn't find the target.

2nd half
Cookie and Gavin were substituted at halftime and Archie and Tony K came on in their place. I would like to say that United came more into the game after this, but I would be lying, we still continued to struggle. We had no idea of how to break down the Point defence and Darboy as a target man wasn't working, he never challenged for a ball in the air and one time he crossed the ball with nobody in the box when it was going for a corner. We forced a corner on the left and Tony took an in-swinger, but we had nobody on the far post and the Point had three men and when the ball came out to them they started a slick move that led to the only goal.

Jimer had a chance to make a tackle on the halfway line, but he missed and Stephen Hughes was allowed to speed up the left wing before releasing his namesake, Daniel and he had the simple task of beating the hapless Macauley. Alan D was replaced by Thommo, but he had little or no impact in this sluggish United display, which is worrying, 11 days before the biggest game we have had in 25 years. Referee Colin Burns, for once wasn't the centre of attention, though he did book Steeky for a deliberate hand-ball, when he got caught out of position in the Points half.  Cushley's, day was summed up when he tried a snap shot out on the left which didn't trouble the keeper and Archie was beaten easily by D. Hughes but he managed to divert the ball for a corner.

Darboy missed a chance, heading over when well placed and Macauley's hopeless dead ball kicks were getting us in to trouble, not even reaching the halfway line.  But we survived and should have got an undeserved point, when our Captain Jenks headed over with the goal at his mercy and that was our last chance. Ref Burns added only 2 mins to the ninety, but if he had added 22 mins, we wouldn't have scored, we were that pathetic. I didn't stay to see the team off, I was so disgusted, me and Omar made our way to the car to get out of there before the traffic got bad. Omar, questioned Fergie last season about United's inability to play teams who play football, I think he needs to be questioned this year also, but if we win the cup, all will be forgotten, if not forgiven!

Cairns (6) Jimer (5), Steeky (5), JT (5), Cookie (7) (Sub: Archie 6,), Gavin (5) (Sub: Tony 6,), Alan D (5) (Sub: Thommo 6,) Jenks (6), Ally (5), Darboy (5), Cush (5)

Man of the match: Cookie