Two Vilians!

Our manager Spike, selected the same team as of last Saturday's game against Dungannon, the only change was on the bench where Tony Kane replaced Harris. I was amazed to see Mike Ruddy on the bench, the last I heard he was going for an xray, to determine whether had a broken bone in his foot, so it must have been a false alarm. Did we win the toss, or did the hosts elect to kick-off, anyway I thought we played into Glenavon's hand in attacking the home end in the first half. playing right to left as the bulk of the huge United support looked at it.

As a supporter, who's gone to many a match at Mourneview, it always fascinates me that the hosts like to play the first half attacking the away end and then in the second half attacking the end where the die-hards Glenavon fans are congregated ( I have never understood this fascination with supporters watching a a game behind the goals, talk about a jaundiced view). Whether the United Captain thinks it doesn't matter which end we play from or he's just following orders, is a matter for conjecture, but in my mind the hosts got the slight advantage of the breeze in the early stages.

Just five were on the clock when Glenavon won a corner on the right and Kyle Neil's in-swinger was headed home by Chris Lindsay at the near post. A lot people blame our keeper, Dwayne, but I'd need to see on replay, to apportion the blame, in my opinion it was just well worked set-piece, that came off. United had a chance to get back on level terms almost immediately, when Cush brought a marvellous save from Blayney in the hosts goal. It was obvious to me that referee Hetherington  (Heth) had forgotten his cards, when he let some questionable tackles go unpunished.

United's Gavin, Taggart got away with one where he led with his head, but the hosts were busy in that department too. In a tussle for the ball in midfield, United's defender, Cookie was left writhing on the ground but no foul was given, but despite being in obvious discomfort, he was able to continue after treatment. Cush won a free kick out on the right, but the normally reliable Gawley didn't deliver a good free-kick and he had his worst game of the season so far. Cush in a bit of skill, beat his marker with chip over him, but he tried a dink over Blayney which just missed the goal.

The lino at our end missed a blatant hand-ball by Bradley, that would have been a decent hand-pass in the code where Bradley started his career. From a Dwayne kick-out, Cush had another chance, but he should have shot early, instead of trying to control the ball on the lively pitch and another chance went begging. Twelve mins before halftime, Jenks found Gawley, but he was adjudged offside, another incident I'd like to see on replay. Cush missed another chance to level matters up when a Gavin header found him, but he went for power and missed the target completely.

I feel I must say a word about the Heth's insistence of us taking free-kick and throw-ins s from the proper place and letting the hosts take them as they saw fit. In one incident, the hosts won a throw-in, midway between our penalty box and the halfway line and Heth and the Lino, allowed McKeown  to take the throw-in level with our penalty box, stealing a good fifteen yards or more. Then near halftime, from a free kicks he moved the ball back for a Glenavon free-kick to be taken from the proper place and when he turned his back the player moved it forward again, needless to say, he took no action.

With five mins to go to halftime, Cush set up Gavin on the edge of box, but he shot over, I think he should've found the target, the only negative in a 'man of match' display, from the United midfielder. From a Gawley corner, the ref, Heth, blew for some infringement, but for the life me I didn't see what. United had claims for a penalty turned down in injury time when, when Cush skipped by Blaney, but the ref saw nothing untoward in Blarney's challenge and blew for halftime with the scoreline 1-0 in the hosts favour. It was obvious to me we had three passengers on our team, our two wide men, Ally and Gawley and Tippers didn't look at all fit to me.

2nd half
The lino at our side of ground, seemed have woken up, maybe the halftime cuppa awoke from his slumber and he flagged Cush offside within in a minute of the restart. But he continued to miss blatant handballs, but maybe they were hand passes, maybe that's allowed in County Armagh. United won a free-kick near the 'd', but Cush's shot bounced off the Glenavon wall, surely we have to work on these half-chances.  Cush missed the target again, from a lovely pass by Tippers, as he blasted over, he really should have had possession of the match ball by this stage, I reckon this was his fifth chance and he hadn't hit the target once.

With 15 mins gone in the second period, Fergie acted, withdrawing a disappointed Ally and bringing on Darboy with Cush moving to the left wing. From a Gawley corner on the right, Blayney was equal to it. plucking it out of the air. Then Steeky and Cush won a free-kick but nothing came of it, but from another Gawley corner on the left this time United had the ball in the net, but ref Heth allowed that it was an illegal handball, by Cookie, proving once and for all, that only the hosts were allowed to hand the ball. willy nilly. Cookie, protested his innocence but just for good measure, he was yellow carded, by Heth.

With 20 mins gone in the second period Gavin got booked for a reckless challenge on a Glenavon player and the ref immediately reached for the yellow card, he, Heth, was in the swing of things now. Two mins later Heth and the Lino were blinded by the floodlights and didn't see a blatant hand-ball in the Glenavon penalty area or merely ruled as a legitimate hand pass. Darboy missed a good chance to level thing up, but he shot at Blayney who clutched the ball, yet another chance gone begging.

Then referee Heth took a hand when in a rare attack, McKeown of Glenavon shot harmlessly wide, but ref Heth astounded everybody in the ground by awarding the hosts a corner. How did he come up with that decision I thought, did he get a inkling from his lino that there was doubt, or is he just blind, I haven't seen a worse decision since Leslie Irwin hung up his whistle. From the resultant corner, Dwayne was impeded, but Heth saw no evil and allowed play to continue and Marshall of Glenavon, headed home at the second attempt, to make the 2-o in the hosts favour, but by then we should have been out of sight.

Lindsay got away with a lunge tackle on Darboy, not even booked and it started a ruckus with McCabe of the hosts throwing a punch and he and Captain Jenks were sent off and the guilty party, Lindsay, got off Scot free. With 20 mins to go Cush fashioned an opening and tried to nutmeg, Blayney, but his weakly hit shot was easy meat for the former United keeper. Then Marky overlapped and messed up his cross, at last Spike acted and took him and Gawley off and brought on Sparky and Kaner, I can't help thinking that they needed to be on earlier, especially Kaner.

As luck would have, Kaner messed up on the right, but I consoled myself  by saying he's rusty and this is his first senior  match of the season, he had played against Newington on Monday night, but this match was different. How Heth and the lino missed another handball by the host's beggars belief, they must have ruled it a hand pass and they gave a corner, the mind boggles. From the Kaner's corner , our best corner of the night, Sparky got in a free header but didn't find the target, yet another chance gone begging.

The hosts were wasting time ,willy nilly and despite the ref telling Braniff to get a move on when he was subbed, he took no further action when he dandered off. Gavin nearly become our hero but, but Blayney touched his fierce shot over the bar. With five mins remaining, we did get one goal back and who else but Cush, got it and reduced the leeway, lifting the ball over Blayney. Could we find the equaliser, I wondered and justify our almost total domination over Glenavon.

We were almost in all-out attack mode and the ref astounded us by only added four mins of stoppage time, despite the hosts wasting time at every opportunity. Darboy fed Tippers but he couldn't find the target and when a Darboy shot was deflected for a throw-in, Heth found some infringement, in the Glenavon six-yard box and awarded the hosts a free kick. Maybe we had too many men, in the six-yard box, or is ythat a different game I was thinking of.

The ref finally blew his whistle and we were left with a bitter taste in our mouth, we felt we had been cheated by an incompetent referee, but we had enough chances and possession to win the game and the chief culprit was our talisman, Cush. The referee and the Lino on our side, were two villains in the piece, but in the end we had nobody to blame but ourselves.. I stayed (unlike the cup final), to applaud our players off, they had given their all and I appreciated that. The next match sees us entertain newly promoted, 'Stute, on Tuesday night, it will be interesting to see how we approach that game, COSB!

Dwayne (6), Marky (6) (Sub: Kaner 7), Steeky (7), Cookie (7), JT (8), Gawley (5) (Sub: Sparky 7,), Gavin (8), Jenks (6), Ally (5) (Sub: Darboy 6,),  Tippers (6), Cush (7)

Man of the match: Gavin

Got Through!

United manager Spike, went ahead with his plan and made 8 changes from his starting line-up of last Saturday, only playing Dwayne, Cookie and Ally and a subs bench of JT,Gavin, Tippers, Cush and the Barber (Gawley). We had a back four of Harris, Cookie, Captain, for the night, Archie  and Ruddy. The midfield was made up Kaner, Thommo, Sparky and Ally and the strike force was Darboy and Mack (McCaul). The ref was Peter McGrath from Newtownabbey, a new one to me and I hope he never referees a game involving the Sky Blues for a long, long time. I believe in letting the game flow, but there has to come a time when the ref takes the ultimate action, but master McGrath wasn't interested last night.

He started out by yellow carding United's Mike Ruddy for a professional foul near the halfway line and if he had continued in that mode I think maybe the opposition players wouldn't have got stuck into the Premier league leaders as much as they did, leaving at least two players doubtful for Friday night's game against Glenavon and maybe some time after that. If it wasn't for the remonstrating of the United bench, a Newington player would have got away with a leg-break tackle on Ruddy, which merited a straight red, McGrath reluctantly issued a yellow, under protest. The game was only five mins old when Darboy had a chance to give us an early lead, but despite his best efforts his shot cannoned off keeper Smyth's chest and was scrambled to safety.

Newington were not overawed by this and two mins later they forced a corner at the other end which United struggled to clear. I was already thinking that it was going a tense affair, much  like last season against Ballymoney. Ally had another chance for United as he beat the keeper to the ball, but was unable to get his shot on target. After a United corner, Ruddy committed a professional foul on Burns as Newington tried to counter attack, when he was the last man, lucky to get away with a yellow card I thought, even though it happened in Newington's half. But referee McGrath wasn't finished with his leniency, not by a long chalk as he demonstrated when Mack was the victim of a brutal tackle, he merely gave the free-kick.

Newington exerted some pressure on the United defence and they were happy to concede a corner, which Dwayne punched away under pressure. With 12 mins gone, Kaner found Darboy abut ten yards form goal, but unfortunately, he couldn't find the target. In another spell of pressure from the home team, Darboy missed with a header after a good cross from Kaner. Thommo was clattered near the goal-line, but the ref ruled it was a 50/50 tackle, I personally I'm not so sure, I thought he was fouled. I could obviously see that Gary was hurt and the United bench caught on and made ready with a sub. Before this could take place, Darboy had another chance to open the scoring when he got his head to Kaner's corner, but he missed the target, would we ever score I was thinking to myself.

Thommo was unable to continue and Dwayne kicked the ball out, in order for him to have treatment and Tipper  prepared to come on. Gary was forced to limp off, despite our physio walking alongside of him, but he never gave a Gary any support. Must be a new ploy, you have to walk off unattended, or, as it was confirmed that Gary had a dead leg, was that a part of the treatment. Tippers came on and Mack dropped back to midfield. With 25 mins gone, Newington spurned a good chance to take the lead, when McClean drove the ball to the side netting with Dwayne beaten at his near post. Almost immediately United took the lead, when after Darboy was fouled about 30 yards from goal, Kaner scored with a beautiful free-kick ,with Smyth in Newington goal, rooted to his line.

It was a goal which United hardly deserved, having frittered away so many openings, but that in a nutshell, is football and why we all love it. With ten minutes to go until halftime, Sparky, of all people, was unlucky to see his left-foot shot just clear the crossbar, I didn't honestly know Sparky had a left-foot. A minute or so later, Kaner played Ruddy in with a 50 yard pass, but Ruddy's shot didn't find the target, another chance gone begging. With four mins remaining in the half, Newington player, I think it was Gilgunn, came over the top in a tackle on Ruddy and the linesman incredulously gave a throw-in. The United bench was 'up in arms' at this miscarriage of justice and under protest McGrath booked the culprit, but I thought it should have a red card, there's no place in football for tackles like that.

The visitors spurned two more chances to get back in the game when first O'Neill flashed his shot past the post when a pass would have been more profitable, as they had the United defence out numbered, 4 on 2 and Brannigan shot wide on cusp of halftime. As the ref blew his whistle for halftime we were talking about last season's struggle against Ballymoney and hoping against hope that we would wake up and smell the coffee and dreading Darboy missing three more chances in the 2nd half and the visitors notching one of their many chances, if they continued to play out of 'their skins' in the second half. The Ballymena Boy, Norman Clarke, was unimpressed with our team, but impressed with Newington's football ability, but I explained that they shared the ground with the Crues and they were used to playing on that 3g surface.

2nd half
Three mins into the second period, United increased their lead, when Mack fulfilled his promise and found Darboy in space (I personally thought he was miles offside), but the lino's flag stayed down and he stroked the ball into the net to give United  a 2-0 lead. Surely the floodgates would open now I thought, we were virtually certain to be in the next round, drawn on Saturday coming, with a two goal cushion early in the second half. Fergie probably thought so to and ten mins into the half, he replaced his Captain Cookie, with JT, no doubt with this Friday's encounter with Glenavon in mind. With ten mins of the half gone, Harris found Tippers with a neat pass, but with the goal at his mercy, Tippers drove the ball over the bar.

Two mins later United nearly paid dearly for their benevolence in front of goal, when a Bradley free-kick, took a deflection off the United wall and the scrambling Dwayne was relieved to see it go out for a corner. Then in a goalmouth scramble, Newington were unlucky not to get a foothold in the match, when Glenholmes shot was deflected for a corner. United failed to deal with this corner properly and Finlay had a chance to reduce the leeway, but he shot straight at Dwayne. As luck would have it, almost immediately , the Sky Blues got another clincher with 25 mins gone when Kaner found Tippers with a clever ball over the top and the ex-Linfield man lobbed the advancing Smyth to give United an unassailable lead  3-0.

Smyth, had clattered in to Tippers and I thought he deserved at least a booking, for his indiscretion, a late, late tackle, but Master McGrath gave the goal and took no further action. Both players had to receive  extensive treatment and Tippers was replaced with Cush taking his place and Smyth was able to continue, but he looked to be suffering. Newington went straight back to the attack but United broke up the play and started an attack of their own, when Darboy missed another chance, when left one-on-one with the keeper from Mack's pass, but Smyth, showing no ill effects from his injury, saved with his legs Newington continued to pose a threat, but their luck was out when they couldn't get the vital touch with the United defence nowhere.

Then we had the miss of the match, when Kaner was found in the box by Darboy's pass, he unselfishly teed up new signing Mack, who missed the ball completely with the goal at his mercy. McClean was left to have a shot, but unfortunately for him, he shot straight at Dwayne. Ruddy was the victim of another heavy tackle and became the third man who had to limp off  for United, with less than 5 mins to go and United had to play with ten men, having already used all of their three subs. Cush, tried to give us some icing on the cake, when he left McClean for dead but JT and Kaner were unable to convert his teasing cross. There was no further action on goal and when McGrath blew his final whistle, the Sky Blues faithful, applauded with a mixture of joy and relief. We are in the next round, we had avoided the banana skin we had 'got through', roll on Friday night and I hope that Tippers is fit!

Dwayne (7), Harris (7), Ruddy (8), Cookie (7) (Sub: JT 6,), Archie (6), Kaner (8),  Thommo (6) (Sub: Tippers 7,) (Sub: Cush 6,),  Sparky (7), Ally (5), Mack (6),  Darboy (6)

Man of the match: Kaner

Tippers Brace!

Matthew Tipton repaid Spike's faith in him when the former Linfield hit-man ,signed for United in the close season, by notching a brace of goals against the Swifts today, at sun-swept Stangmore Park, in Dungannon. I could safely say I've never enjoyed a game as much at Dungannon, as today. The Sky Blue faithful were out in force, only the 'homers' were missing and believe me they missed an exhibition when United trounced the Swifts by three goals to nil. Fergie made only one change to his selection of last Saturday's starting eleven, the veteran Cookie Munster taking the place of Kyley and one new face in the subs bench, was the fit again Archie. No place for the free from suspension, Thommo and Tony, they have to fight for their places.

The Swifts almost took a shock lead, when midfielder Barton burst through a hesitant United defence, but his cross shot was brilliantly saved by Dwayne. The ball fell kindly to Dungannon player Zanussi, but he blazed wildly over when he should have at least got a shot on target. That chance came about two mins into the game, but 4 mins later the Swifts paid a terrible price for that miss, when the alert Tippers robbed veteran Mark Fitzpatrick, the recipient of a short goal-kick from Swifts keeper Coleman and opened his United account with a crisp shot into the net. A costly lesson for the Swifts and 3 mins later it should have been 2-0, when Tippers again sneaked in under the the Swifts radar, but this time he couldn't find the target.

Tippers had become our eight individual scorer when he gave United the lead at Stangmore today, so we are just not a one-man team.. At the other end a Swifts player took a blatant dive, but ref Ross Dunlop didn't even speak to him. Former United player Liggie, was just a shadow of himself and had to be spoken by the referee, when he slammed the ball down in frustration, but no yellow card. There was no yellow card when a Swifts player had clattered Gawley, just a stern talking to, but then he booked Gavin Taggart, for a clumsy foul, talk about double standards. Tippers then knocked the ball down for Cush, but United's talisman failed to trouble Coleman in the Swifts goal. Tippers then tried his luck but the keeper saved easily. United then forced a couple of corners but they didn't come to anything and Gawley flashed a free-kick over the bar.

With halftime approaching, it seemed as if United would have to settle for a one goal to nil advantage, but when a Swifts attack broke down, the ball fell nicely to United Captain, Jenks and he played a delightful pass to Cush. The United striker didn't need any further bidding and he outstripped the Swifts defence and shot under Coleman's body to give United a 2-0 interval  lead. It was no more than United deserved, sure they had been head and shoulders above the Swifts. in creating chances and I was looking forward to the second half, secure in the knowledge, that it was going to take a mammoth effort by the Swifts in order to turn this game on its head and deny the Sky Blues 3 points.

2nd half
Darren Murphy, the Swifts manager, was out before his team, not a good sign for the home supporters and it took United exactly 4 mins to make certain of the three points. The Swifts , not for the first time got caught, in possession and the rejuvenated Neal Gawley, came away with the ball and crossed to the far post, where the unmarked Tippers, scored with a diving header, past the hapless Coleman, to make the score 3-0, in United's favour. Then in the move of the game, as far as I was concerned,Tippers beat Swifts defender Armstrong near the goal-line, then rounded keeper Coleman and his chip bounced off the post with the Swifts defence in tatters.

Five mins later Spike made his first sub, when taking off Gavin and bringing on Sparky, no doubt with the Wasp Solutions tie in mind on next Monday night, when I expect Spike to give his subs a run and other members of his first team panel. I sincerely hope he doesn't fill it out with reserves, I vividly remember last years tie against Ballymoney and don't want a repeat. United were running the Swifts ragged now and Cush  could only hit the side netting with a rasping shot and Cookie and Tipton got each others way as they chased a Gawley corner. Liggie had already departed for the home team and I guess when he departed, they forfeited any chance of getting back in the game.

Halfway through this half ,Cush was replaced by Darboy and he could have added to United's score, firstly when he decided to pass when he had to chance to shoot and secondly when his effort came back off the keepers legs. Dwayne made one mistake when he dropped a high ball but the gods were with him when it hit a Swifts player and rolled out for a by-ball. He later distinguished himself with a fine save from a MCcaffrey shot, tipping it over the bar. He proved his worth when he saved a Lowry header, making it look easy and in truth it was anything but. I feel I must pay tribute  to United's defence here, Marky, Steeky, JT and the veteran Cookie Munster, who was my man of match, they went about their tasks quietly and efficiently as good defenders should.

When the match was petering out, Marky got caught by a dangerous tackle from Swifts defender Grieve, as he tried to stop a United counter-attack. Ref Dunlop flourished a red card, but I'd need to see it again, to judge whether it merited a red or a yellow card. Despite three mins of added time, there was no further scoring and United had run out a comfortable winners by a score of 3-0. I can't help thinking it could have been more, but in truth we won easily and as predicted in Sky Blue Sport, we increased our lead at the top of the Danske Bank premiership, when the clubs below us drew or were defeated, to two points. Its early days yet, but we are there on merit I think, but there's a long way to go, onward and upward!

Dwayne (8), Marky (8), Steeky (8), JT (8), Cookie (8), Gawley (7), Gavin (7) (Sub: Sparky 7,), Jenks (7), Ally (7) (Sub: Ruddy 7,), Cush (8) (Sub: Darboy 7,), Tippers (8)

Man of the match: Cookie

Ally Pally!

United's Ally Teggart turned in a 'man of match' 5* performance against his former team Portadown. He had almost a perfect game and when he was subbed to a standing ovation from the Sky Blue Sport team, he had time to reflect on a job well done. United manager, Spike, as expected ,selected the same eleven that finished the game on Wednesday night at Seaview, we had one change on our subs bench with reserve player Harris, taking the place of the unavailable Alan D. United lost the toss, but Ports elected to play with the wind advantage, rather than making us play into our favourite goals at the Fisherwick end in the first half, an advantage for us, worth a goal at least in my opinion.

United started brightly and Ally, skipped by his marker, Casement and whipped in a cross, which Tippers controlled and brought a great save form Miskelly the Ports keeper. From another Ally cross, Captain Jenks, headed wide, a real chance. Little was seen of the Ports at this stage, but after 19 mins the United defence was caught square and McAllister was allowed to get a shot in on goal, but I think Dwayne had it covered as it hit the crossbar and ended up with goal kick, although the Ports players claimed at Dwayne got a touch.Tim 'nice but dim' Marshall was refereeing the game but he seemed to be devoid of cards, when he let the Ports players get with some questionable tackles. From a Ports corner, Dwayne called for the ball and plucked it out of the air, only to be dumped by Murray and the ref took no action. which obviously meant he had forgot his cards.

From a Tippers cross, headed back across the goal, Captain Jenks failed to work the keeper hitting his shot wide of the target.. United deservedly took the lead with 30 mins on the clock when Kyley, headed in Neal Gawley's , corner from the right.with a powerful header past Miskimmon. It was no more than the Sky Blues deserved, for they had been the better team so far and created the best chances. United still continued to press the beleaguered Ports defence, who replied with heavy tackles and Tim 'nice but dim', finally woke up and booked Breem for a clumsy tackle on Cush, with the halftime whistle approaching. Despite two mins of added time, they were no more goals and United came off to a standing ovation from the Sky Blue faithful and rightly so in my book.

2nd half
The 2nd half had barely started when Miskimmon saved from Gawley, when it seemed the barber must score. What a find Gawley is turning out to be, I used to laugh when I saw him come on as a sub or picked to start, but Fergie has persevered with him and he's now an integral of this Sky Blues line-up, with his long throws, free kicks and corners, long may he continue to be.  Then about 6 mins into the 2nd half  United were dealt a blow, when Kyley had to retire with a back injury, to be replaced by Cookie Munster, the second match in a row that United lost a man to injury just after halftime. Captain Jenks spurned another chance to get on the score-sheet, when he blasted the ball over from another Gawley corner.

Just on the hour mark Murray was finally booked but 4 mins later, Gavin, who had been playing well, allowed Garret to have a free run on goal and he fired in an unstoppable shot from 25 yards and despite Dwayne's despairing dive, the ball ended up in the corner of the net, to tie the scores at one apiece. Six minutes later United were back in front, by a goal which must rank in the top five of the best goals I have seen in my many years following United. It all started with Ally winning a tackle with Casement of Ports about 10 yards into his own half and then he went on mazy run, leaving four or five Portadown men in his wake. It was then, when nearing the penalty box, that he found his Captain Jenks, who played a superb
one-two with Gawley (who else you might ask) and drew Miskelly before slotting a superb shot into the net to secure the Sky Blues advantage again at 2-1.

Two mins later it was nearly three, when JT, got on the end of another Gawley corner, but couldn't direct his header wide of the post, a more than half chance. Then we had another incident where Tim 'nice but dim' lost the plot, when Dwayne claimed a high ball again and Murray clattered into him for the second time in the match. Dwayne got immediately up and voiced his protestations to Murray and McAllister came in and pushed the United custodian to the ground. Surely a booking for Murray and a red card for McAllister. When it all settled down Tim booked McAllister and Dwayne and Murray got off scot free. This incident begs the question, 'are goalkeepers fair game in the Irish Premiership, or is Tim Marshall just an incompetent'?

Our manager, Spike, seemed to judge that his players were going to be subjected to some rough justice, with the ref letting blatant fouls go unpunished and started to remove his star players, with Cush the first to go to be replaced with Darboy after 76 mins and five mins later Ally was replaced by Ruddy. Darboy was only on the pitch 3 mins. when he robbed Mackie of Portadown and with a clear run on goal smacked the ball into net past a bemused Miskimmon to give United a 3-1 lead. As we approached 90 mins  it seemed the game was going to finish with United leading 3-1, but Tim 'nice but dim' wasn't finished with us. As Ports mounted a last ditch attack, Ruddy, closed down his man and got struck on the arm and Tim incredulously gave a penalty. It was a clear case of 'ball to hand' not 'hand to ball', but Tim gave it, as if  to add insult to injury, the Ports penalty kick taker was Murray, who should been sent-off in the earlier incident with Dwayne.

Murray duly stroked the penalty in to leave the score 3-2 in United's favour and during the further three mins of added time, United  were composed, but it was a relief when Tim finally blew his whistle. We had won 3-2, I've no doubt the final scoreline sounded like it was a close game, but in truth United were far and away the best team on the day. I've no doubt that Ports will claim that they had some players short of match fitness, Breen, Murray and Ramsay came into that category, but if they are honest, they'll admit they were outplayed and the scoreline doesn't reflect United's dominance, they could of and should have of won by more. But we are still unbeaten, sure I know its only three games in, but if we keep on winning the games that we have a chance of winning, who knows, this could be our season. Bring on the Dungannon and Liggie and all they have to offer and come on Sky Blues!


Dwayne (7), Marky (7), Steeky(8), JT (8), Kyley (8) (Sub: Cookie 7,), Gawley (8), Gavin (7), Jenks (8), Ally (8) (Sub: Ruddy 7,), Cush (7) (Sub: Darboy 8,), Tippers (7)


Man of the match: Ally

Unlikely Hero!

Never was a better illustration on what's was wrong with trying to play football on an unnatural surface (3g), than last night's match, when United were forced to alter their tactics and resort to the their hosts, Crues, tactics, hoofing the ball up-field and fighting for secondary possession. These tactics only work if you have a target man or men and the Crues have two, in Timmy Adamson and Jordan Owens. United, have no target men and we have to utilise our Captain, Alan Jenkins, to be a stand-in, therefore taking away from his midfield duties, but it is the only way to play the game at Seaview and have any hope of getting something out of the match.

United manager Spike, selected the same team and the same subs bench as last Saturday and Captain, Jenks, having won the toss, elected to play attacking the Railway end in the first half. I can't help thinking, that the Crues took more comfort out of this decision than United, for Crues seem to enjoy attacking the railway end in the second half, but I admit it's only a personal opinion. United started nervously and Crues won a doubtful free-kick, but despite beating our defensive wall, the kick missed the target. Referee Andrew Davey had started favouring the home team and he continued with that nearly the whole of the match, much to the frustration of the good crowd of Sky Blue fans who were at the game.

He pulled United up for petty fouls and let Crues away with blatant pushes as if they were part and parcel of the game. When in the 2nd half immediately below where I was sitting, Robinson, of the Crues, committed a foul on Tippers and they became entangled and Tippers seemed to kick-out at Robinson, but not viscously,  Robinson tried to 'make a meal out of it', writhing on the ground, to try to get the United man a yellow card. The ref to his credit, saw through his subterfuge and motioned him to get up, but Robinson stayed on the ground and Davey called for the physio. When the physio arrived, Robinson immediately got up and got no treatment and confirmed what we already knew, he was a cheat and a time-waster, but surely the referee had to book him for simulation, but he took no action.

United could get nothing going in the first half and the ball seemed 'like a hot potato', we had it so little. But surprisingly we managed  to force two or three corners and from one of these, JT, fouled a Crues defender and Ogre rushed from his goal and pushed Taylor and we got a bit of a tussle going among the players of both sides, when it all settled down again, referee Davey let Ogre away with starting the commotion, weak or what? United started to get inroads into the match, but Steeky's cross was just too close to Ogre and he plucked out of the air. When attempting  to help his defenders from a Crues corner, Tippers was fouled and made contact with the ball with his hand on the edge of United's penalty box, Davey gave the handball, completely ignoring the foul on Tippers, but United survived the free-kick.

Captain Jenks found space, about 30 yards from goal but his shot didn't trouble Ogre, but it was encouraging. Then disaster struck for United when JT got a head injury and had to go off to get treatment and returned with a different jersey because his own was covered in blood, I think. Crues managed to find an opening, but Owens free header was saved easily by Dwayne. With ten mins to go until halftime, Cush attempted an overhead kick, but alas his timing was off and he looked foolish, but credit to him for trying. Caddell of the Crues seemed to get injured, one of a spate of injuries in the first half and had to go off, with no replacement as it was nearing halftime. The ref saw fit to add two mins, but we had lost a good 3 or 4 mins by my calculations, but we saw the time out without further incident.

2nd half
Just four mins was on the clock when Alan D was replaced by Gavin Taggart, whether Alan was injured or this was just a technical switch, I don't honestly know, but it was to be a monumental decision taking by our management. We had heard at the halftime interval (thanks to twitter, the Crues tannoy didn't give any info about anything, preferring to deafen us with loud music), that we'd been drawn to face Newington Y C in the first round proper of the 'Wasp Solutions' league cup, it is my understanding that the game will be played at the Showgrounds on Monday 25 August, a bank holiday. United threatened the Crues from a corner by Neal Gawley, but Captain Jenks failed to get his shot away through a ruck of players.

Almost immediately United conceded a goal from a corner at the other end, but Dwayne seemed to be impeded as he came for the ball, but ref Davey saw nothing untoward and Jordan Owens header found the net despite Dwayne's protestations. United tried to get a foothold in the match, but the Crues defenders were winning nearly every high ball. 'Cometh the hour, cometh the man', is a hackneyed saying among scribes and scholars, but it proved especially fitting last night with exactly 60 mins on the clock and another United corner. The ball was half cleared to Gavin about 30 yards from goal and he released a half-volley screamer, that Ogre never smelt, let alone seen, into the roof of the net, to tie the scores up at one apiece.

The United fans were delirious and took Gavin to their hearts once again, for he was not their favourite person after the Irish cup final, wrongly blamed in my eyes, it was a collective bad performance by the whole team that day. But this was another game and United had clawed their way back into the match. From a free-kick taken by Gawley, Tippers was unlucky to see his header strike a post. The Crues manager, Stephen 'Mr ugly' Baxter, made a telling sub himself, taking off the best player on the pitch in my mind, O'Carroll and bringing on the poisoned dwarf, McCutcheon. Crues nearly got back in the lead but Owens headed wide from a corner and the dwarf took a hand in the match by fouling his 'mate', United Captain Jenks, no doubt a huge talking point going home in the Cairnryan ferry last night.

The Crues missed another good chance to take the lead, but sub Whyte shot past Dwayne's post when well placed, from a quickly taken throw-in which caught the United defence napping. Cush managed to get a shot in at the other end, but it was easily cleared by the Crues defence and them we had the Robinson affair which I alluded to earlier.  In another indent Crues player Leeman, seemed to injure himself badly and had to taken off with a suspected broken arm, I wish him well. United took the lead shortly after this when from another Gawley corner, JT scored with a powerful header past a bemused Ogre, to give United the lead at 2-1. However that lead was short-lived and Marky, who had an otherwise great game was guilty of getting caught in possession by the dwarf and worse still, letting him cross the ball to the unmarked Adamson, who headed the ball into the net to tie the scores at two apiece.

It  was end to end stuff after that and either side could have won it, but it finished with honours even. Tippers thought he had given United the win, but former Sky Blues keeper, Ogre, saved his header at the second attempt. Then Owens, of all people, missed a sitter at the other end, scooping the ball over the bar and JT blocked another effort as we were in added time of four minutes. As referee Davey blew his whistle to bring the game to a close, United fans rose to their feet and warmly applauded their heroes, who had confronted the 'tigers' in their den and came away with a share of the spoils. Hopefully the next time we meet the Crues it will be on a real pitch and we won't need any excuses about the surface, if 3g pitches are progress, I don't want any part of it and the sooner we get back to real football, the better, in my humble opinion!

Dwayne (7), Marky (7), Steeky (7), Kyley (7), JT (8), Gawley (7), Alan D (8) Sub: Gavin 8,), Jenks (7), Ally (7), Cush (7), Tippers (7)

Man of the match: JT

Just Enuff!

United did just enough to beat the Point yesterday, with a scoreline of 2-0, but it could and should have been more. In fact United were so dominant in the first half, that had they scored six goals, it wouldn't have flattered them and they were gilt edged chances, not half chances. United manager Spike, showed one change from the side that lost to Chickenville in the Charity Shield at Solitude last Saturday, new signing Kyle McVey, came in for the injured Archie. For anybody that wasn't there last Saturday and the Sky Blue Sport team were among the absentees, I'll name the players and the subs.

Dwayne was in  goals, we had a back four of McCullagh, JT, McVey and Steeky. The midfield was made up of Gawley, Captain Jenks, Alan D and Ally. Leaving new signing Matthew Tipton (hereafter known as Tippers) and the our talisman, Cush up front. The subs were Cookie Munster, Mike Ruddy, Gavin, Sparky and Darboy. There were only 3 mins on the clock when Cush got in a shot, but it was well wide, but I was glad to see the confidence was still there, for Cush was our leading scorer last season with 17 goals to his credit. Then Neal Gawley had a chance to put in a telling cross, when he found himself in acres of space about three yards in from the by-line, but he drove the ball harmlessly wide.

Then Tippers found his strike partner Cush with 5 mins on the clock near the six-yard box and although Cush used his strength to find space, he shot straight at the Point keeper, Jonathan Parr, who saved easily. United won a corner two mins later and Gawley took it, but it was a low ball, nearly a pass, which McVey missed, but it fell to JT and he blasted it over the bar, yet another chance gone begging. this seemed to stir the Point and they mounted their first real attack and JT and McVey seemed to get in each others way but McDonnell's shot cleared the crossbar, an early scare for the Sky Blues defence. With 15 mins on the clock, Cush found space at the edge of the area and curled a delightful left-foot shot inside Parr's post, with the goalie motionless, to give United the lead and score our first competitive goal of the season.

United were rampant at this stage and should have scored at least four more goals, as first Tippers missed a glorious chance to open his account, when he worked a free kick routine with Ally, but he shot wide when well placed. Then Marky (McCullagh), found Cush running through, but with the goal at his mercy, Cush blasted his shot wide of the goal. Neal Gawley was influential in everything United did and from his corner, Kyley (McVey), headed wide. Then from Neal's a cross about a minute later, Tippers found Ally in space on the left, but he, not for the first time in his United career, didn't force the keeper into a save. From yet another nice move, Tippers persistence paid off when he won another corner on the right and from Gawley's inch perfect cross Cush was frustrated as his header struck Tippers and bounced wide.

Worse was to follow when, Cush found himself in space at yet another corner, his goal-bound shot hit Tippers again and the chance was lost. With ten mins to go before halftime, Cush found Alan D with a clever free-kick, but Alan delayed his shot and a defender got in a timely clearance. The United central pairing of the two Alan's in midfield was creaking at the seams every-time the Point attacked and from one these attacks, JT, slipped but was relieved to see Hughes shot easily gathered by Dwayne. United didn't heed this warning and the Point nearly got on level terms, when Kyley and JT got in another mix-up and allowed McCabe to wriggle through between them, but Dwayne saved their blushes with a good block with his feet.

Before that Cush was lucky to escape a booking, when clearly offside and the referee's whistle sounded, he blasted the ball over the bar in frustration, but ref Burns just had a quiet word with him, but that is Cush. Burns  had a quiet game for him, no controversial decisions so far in the match, but where did he get  two mins of added time from in the first half, I'll never know. In this added time United had another chance, but Neal Gawley's cross was just too high for Tippers to get on the end of. United had survived a scare when the lino at the Farm Lodge end, where we were defending in the first half, raised his flag for offside, even though the offender didn't chase the ball and another player who was on-side did, but the offside flag stood, yet another let-off for the home side.

2nd half
United took the field with no changes  and I was not surprised, but I reasoned that we needed to strengthen our central midfield with either Sparky or Gavin, but Glenn obviously thought different. We spurned another two chances when first, Tippers run and snapshot just finished the wrong side of the post and them from a long throw-in from Gawley, Kyley could only head weakly at the Point keeper. Ref burns made his first controversial decision when JT got the better of Hughes in a tussle for the ball and when he attempted  to run with the ball he was clearly fouled but Burns waved play on. Hughes picked himself up but his shot was narrowly wide, yet another let-off for United, JT, I thought was guilty of show-boating, he had a chance to clear his lines but didn't take them, but that is JT in a nutshell.

United made the Point pay for this benevolence in front of goal, when Steeky's left-wing cross eluded everyone but Gawley, who cut inside and beat Parr all ends up with a powerful left-foot strike to the keeper's left and then celebrated with a spectacular somersault.  This second goal gave United the cushion they were looking for and I expected Spike to make changes to his personnel. United should have sealed the points with a third goal when Cush's right-foot cross was laid off to Tippers by Ally, but Parr parried (sorry about the  unintended pun), the shot and it eventually fell to in-rushing Cush, but suffice to to say his shot was wide of the target. Then it was the Point's turn and when McCabe found space on the right, Dwayne came our rescue with a one-handed save to his right.

United had two last chances to seal the game beyond any reasonable doubt, when first Parr came out of his box to clear a ball that was nearly on the touch-line and his clearance fell to Tippers, but instead of steadying himself he shot weakly at the untended goal and them a minute later Alan D released Tippers again, but Parr was equal to his shot. Neal Gawley came off injured in 72mins to be replaced by Darboy and at the same juncture Alan D was replaced by Gavin. United seemed to be content to soak up the pressure from this moment on and Hughes forced another a good save from Dwayne when tipping his rising shot over the bar for a corner. Dwayne showed his class by calmly grabbing the corner in his six-yard box. With less than ten mins remaining Spike made his final substitution, replacing Ally with Sparky, leaving Cookie and Ruddy kicking their heels on the bench.

United saw out the remainder of the match without too much trouble, but I can't help thinking it should have been easier. They'll be harder matches to come, starting with our next game at Seaview on Wednesday and the home match with the high flying Ports, early league leaders on goal difference from second placed United, on next Saturday. All in all it was a good performance and Kyley had a good debut and Tippers tried but on another day, he could have scored a hat-trick. Neal Gawley was a revelation, what with his corners, free-kicks and long throw-ins, he really looked the part. But it was nice to see Cush back to form, we missed him in the closing stages of last season and the let down that was the Irish cup final, but he showed signs yesterday that he was returning to his best, long may it continue he really is the King!

Dwayne (8), Marky (8), Steeky (7), JT (6), Kyley (8), Gawley (8) (Sub: Darboy 6,), Alan D (7) (Sub: Gavin 7,), Captain Jenks (7), Ally (7) (Sub: Sparky 7,), Tippers (6), Cush (8)

Man of the match: Cush