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