Damp Squib!

United's faint hopes for a top six finish fizzled out like a damp squib at Solitude yesterday, as the home team triumphed by 1-0 scoreline. On the balance of play they just about deserved the win and all United could muster was one shot on target. Spike's selection leaves me dumbfounded. He persisted with playing his Captain Jenks upfront, it worked at home to 'Stute, but Chickenville is another matter altogether.

As I said Spike's selection leaves me baffled, I fully understand his thinking of omitting Steeky, who has to serve a one game suspension next week and giving Ruddy, his replacement, some game time. But why did he persist with Maca, who is cup-tied next week, instead of starting Gawley, who looks a shadow of himself and needs some game time. I had hoped that Cush's lack of form, was to do with his knee injury, but alas it looks as if I was wrong.

He struggled yesterday to make an impact and like last weeks game, he was replaced by Ally, with less than a third of the game to go. There was also another worrying  matter of Spike, omitted top scorer Tippers, who hasn't played for 12 days and despite Glenn's denials, I wouldn't be surprised if there had been a falling out. I know Darboy isn't one of Spike's favourites, but bringing him on with 7 mins to go, beggars belief.

On yesterday's display, Cutch looks like a man on his last legs, the pace of the game was too much for him and the 'magic' has gone. Our manager made two changes to his starting line-up, with Paddy Mac, replacing Cookie and Ruddy filling in for Steeky. For a change United won the toss and Captain Jenks decreed that we should play defending the City end in the first half, as I've noticed the home team prefers to attack the away end in the first half.

I assume we won the toss, but it could be that the home team wanted to kick-off, or they wanted to change things, as they haven't won a home league game for two months. This was the seventh meeting between the two clubs this season, five of them at Solitude, one at a supposed neutral ground, Windsor Park, where United have only won once in the last number of years and a solitary game at United's home ground.

As we succumbed to defeat yesterday, without almost a whimper, it has to be said, I got the impression that our minds were on other things. No doubt next weeks cup match against the Welders is vital, bit if we should lose that game and nothing is certain in cup football, United's season could be well and truly over, with only one home game to come against the Crues, where we could have a bearing on who wins the league.

The other three home matches in the bottom six, are against, Dungannon,  'Point and the Ducks, there's not much to get excited about, unless of course we are drawn into the relegation battle and we need another three points to be clear of that. United struggled to get anything going yesterday, but they matched the home team quite well, but some of referee Boyce's decisions were baffling to say the least. Was he perhaps influenced with FIFA vice-president, Jimmy Boyce (no relation I hope), proximity to the play alongside the home team's dugout.

I foolishly thought that only coaching staff and players were allowed at or near the dugouts, but maybe vice-presidents of FIFA are the exception. Thommo, playing in midfield alongside Tony, got yellow-carded for an accidental high foot as he went to clear the ball (but he was harshly sent-off for much the same offence in the Irish cup final), but moments later Evan, let the home team away with a similar offence, biased or what. But he wasn't responsible for our defeat and for a change, our defence weren't to blame either.

Maca had a great run out on the left, came infield  and bleanged the ball over the bar, instead of working the keeper. At the other end, Tall made a save from a shot by Scannell. Then it was United's turn Thommo's shot seemed to take a deflection and just missed the target, but Boyce gave a goal-kick. Captain Jenks, thought he had won a corner moments later, but ref Boyce gave another goal-kick, maybe he was 'keeping in' with the vice-president.

Cush, as I said earlier, was struggling and Jimer found him with a pass down the right, but he lost possession, definitely not Cushlike. For a change, Maca was taking all our corners, but in my opinion they weren't as good as Tony's. JT got on the end of a Tony free-kick, but he headed straight at the keeper, a chance lost. Near the halftime whistle, Jay D, looking off-side, was allowed to shoot at Tall, but he pulled off an excellent save down by his his right post and deep in injury time he saved from Murray.

2nd half

United had their best spell in the game at the start of then second-half, but Thommo's shot was well saved at the expense of a corner. From this corner, the Red Cherry, fumbled the ball and Maca and Jenks had shots blocked, At the other end Jay D, shot just over the bar, with Tall unsighted. Then Cush missed a golden opportunity, when Jenks put him through on goal, but he scuffed his shot and another chance was gone.

Moments later Fergie, took off the struggling Cush, with Ally taking his place and I think with him went our best chance of getting something out of the game. Admittedly Cush was not playing well, but Jenks, Cutch and Maca were not setting the world alight with their play, but they stayed on. As if to prove my point Jenks missed a sitter, when Thommo found him with a great pass and with the goal at his mercy, he could only shoot wide.

A minute later the home team administered the killer blow, when after JT had blocked Gormley's shot for a corner, the United markers went asleep, as Winchester, ran from the halfway line to collect a short-corner and took a touch on the ball and rifled it into the net, despite Tall's efforts, who seemed to have it covered. Looking at in replay, Tall should maybe should have had it, but where was the marking? Surely our two attackers, Maca and Cutch, had to track back as Winchester made his run and Jimer seemed to be the only player switched on and he tried to close him down.

There is a lot of failings in our tactics, we never mark the thrower at throw-ins, we seem to have no idea about taking throw-ins, its just throw it and hope somebody gets to it.  When defending corners there has to be somebody to cover, just that eventuality, somebody taking a run from deep, but we were caught sleeping. Eight mins later with the game slipping away, Fergie acted and made his final two subs, with the out of form Gawley replacing Maca and Darboy replacing Cutch.

No place for out of favour Tippers, when you're chasing the game, I thought we should want our top striker on the field, but Fergie thought different. We had won a corner on the left and instead of Tony taking it, Gawley took it and didn't get it past the first man, what a waste. Darboy failed to make an impact too and apart from his sub appearance in last seasons Irish cup game at Tillysburn, I don't think he's an impact sub, but he delivered the goods on that occasion.

The ref saw fit to add on four mins, despite the home teams blatant time wasting, holding on to the ball and kicking it away and generally making a nuisance of themselves, but the ref let them away with it. I'm a firm believer in the yellow card, the ref only has to book one player for time-wasting and it nips in the bud, but Evan was obviously not going to invite the vice-presidents wrath and he can be mighty vindictive I can tell you.

When the 4th official held up the board, to say four mins I took a note of the time on my watch and by my reckoning it was 16-51 or 9 minutes to five, but when Evan blew his whistle it was 16-54 or 6 mins to five. I know I'm clutching at straws here, but usually you get at least the allotted time and probably a bit more, but Evan took the easy way out. We were never going to mount a come back, I think our manager, despite his insistence in going for a win, had settled for a draw and when his plans had become unstuck, he was struggling for inspiration and he didn't get any!

Tall (7), Jimer (7), Ruddy (7), JT (7), Paddy Mac (7), Maca (6) (Sub: Gawley 5,), Tony (6), Thommo (8), Cush (5) (Sub: Ally 5,), Cutch (5) (Sub: Darboy 5,), Jenks (5)

Man of the match: Thommo

Maca Shines!

We at 'Sport couldn't see any benefit in United manager Spike, signing Eamon McAllister (Maca), in the transfer window. We foolishly  thought he would have his full debut against Glentoran, on Tuesday past, but he didn't and who knows what  if anything could've transpired had he done so. But on his full debut yesterday against 'Stute, Maca provided two inch perfect crosses to United Captain Jenks, who in turn scored one and the other was a glaring miss.

Not only that, he scored United last goal, in a welcome 3-0 win, which goes a long way in securing their safety from the threat of relegation. The United manager Spike, made two changes from his starting line-up of last Tuesday's reversal against the Glens. Out went Paddy Mac, who had limped out of the Glens match, shortly after halftime and top scorer, Tippers, presumably injured, who didn't even make the panel.

In their place was the veteran Cookie and Maca and the subs were, Darboy, Ally, Mack, the Barber and a rare place on the bench, for the exciting prospect that is Matty Shevlin. 'Stute won the toss and decided to play defending the Fisherwick end in the first-half. In the first 15 mins the visitors set out their stall and United playing with Captain Jenks upfront partnering his Scottish friend and colleague, Cutch, were struggling to get into the game.

But luckily the visitors play generally broke down when they got to United's penalty box and despite conceding a couple of corners, the United defence weren't too troubled. As so often happens in football, it was United who got the breakthrough, when Banbridge referee, Basketfield, adjudged that Thommo, was fouled in the box as he attempted to get in a shot. The Stute defenders protested vehemently, but all to no avail and in the absence of regular penalty takers, Ally and Tippers, Cutch was given the task.

Despite the Stute defenders, trying everything to unsettle Gary, he stepped up to the mark and duly slotted his penalty into the net, sending keeper Gallagher the wrong way, to make the score 1-0 in United's favour. A Stute player tried an overhead kick which went past and then after 25 mins Untied increased their lead, with a great bit of football. Tony, found Maca, with a short free-kick and he went bounding down the right-wing and his perfect cross was was easily scored by United Captain Jenks, to make the score 2-0 to United.

If truth be told, United hadn't got out of second gear and we were a little flattered by the scoreline, but we did take our chances. it should have been three 4 mins later as Jimer surged forward and Maca intelligently moved inside of his marker and collected Jimer's perfectly weighted pass and crossed to the unmarked Jenks, who headed over when it was definitely easier to score. Stute nearly made us pay for this benevolence in front of goal, when from a flowing move, Hume's header was brilliantly parried with an outstretched hand, by United keeper, Tall, at the expense of a corner.

When the corner came over, Tall, showed his class by plucking the ball easily out of the air. United wrapped up the points when Tony found space to run through and set up his Captain Jenks, level with the penalty spot. Jenks powerful shot was brilliantly stopped by Gallagher, but Maca lurking at the far post, was on hand to score with a header. Sammy Patterson, thought it ironic that Maca, almost the smallest man on the pitch, scored in his first goal in a United jersey, with his head.

United spurned three or four chances to make the score embarrassing for the north-west club. Firstly, Thommo got a s shot in which Gallagher pushed for a corner and Cush, only a shadow of himself yesterday, took the corner from the right and Cookie missed with a free header. Then from another Cush corner, JT, failed to get a touch with the goal at his mercy. With the halftime whistle immiment  United were denied a cast iron penalty, when Cush eluded his man and his clear run on goal was abruptly ended with a foul, but nothing was given.


2nd half
United came out in the 2nd half with 'what we have, we hold attitude' and invited Stute to come to them, which they duly did. United had a let-off in the first ten mins, when from a corner on the right, they missed with a free header, much as Cookie had done in the first half. From another run up the left-wing the Lino, on the home stand side, was not up with the play and missed a blatant offside, but luckily it didn't come to anything.

Omar, reminded this Lino, that the match had started again and he better waken up, this seemed to have the desired effect and he was okay in the rest of the game. The 'out of form' Cush, was replaced after an hour, with Ally taking his place and it would be a lie to say he was best pleased, as he nearly shouldered Ally on his way off the pitch. Ally started out like an express train and had a great run down the left, which resulted in a corner.

But it was the visitors who came closest to scoring, when the lively Hume, got a yard on his marker but his shot was brilliantly saved by Tall, pushing the ball round the post for a corner. Not much was seen of Maca in this half, but in truth not much was seen of United as an attacking force, they were lying too deep for my liking. With 20 mins to go, Maca was replaced by the Barber, Gawley. Like for like and I was trying to think of the last time United had four wingers in their first team panel, yonks ago I think, if ever.

The Barber was soon in the action and from his corner, JT's, header was stopped by Gallagher, denying the United defender a goal. Spike made his last sub, with Matty Shevlin replacing Cutch, but personally I would have liked to see Cutch and the youngster together, to see if Matty picked up anything, from the great scorer, Cutch. But it wasn't to be, but like the last time Matty came on as a sub, he nearly made an instant impact as he challenged Gallagher to a cross, but the keeper got the better of that exchange.

I can't remember Matty having a good game after that, he seemed to get good positions and promptly lose the ball, but in truth United were content to soak up the Stute pressure and play out the game. We were trying to hold out for the three points and also not to concede anything, our first clean sheet in the league, since we defeated the Ducks back in November, by the same scoreline. The Lino, at the Fisherwick end had indeed 'wakened up' as Omar told him too and he did his part as he flagged for a couple of off-sides, that looked close, but he had made the correct decisions.

With ten mins remaining, Stute made three substitutions all at once and whether that affected the ref's take on the game, as he only added 2 mins to the ninety, is a matter for conjecture. United managed to hold their back-line intact for the remainder of the game and they ran out 3-0 winners, because we took our chances, not that we played particularly well, but it sets us up nicely for the next three games, two in Belfast and one at Dungannon, which will define our season, one way or another, come on Sky Blues!

Tall (8), Jimer (7), Steeky (7), JT (7), Cookie (7), Maca (8) (Sub: Barber 7,), Thommo (7), Tony (7), Cush (6) (Sub: Ally, 7), Jenks (7), Cutch (8) (Sub: Shevlin 6,)

Man of the match: 'Tall' Tim Allen

Spike's Obsession!

United manager Glenn Ferguson, reverted to type last night and played a 4,3,3, formation against Glentoran and United suffered defeat because of it. But not only that, they had to have a bit of slip-shod defending as well which added to the misery. There seemed little danger when new keeper Tall decided to throw the ball to JT, instead of hoofing it away up the field. But Glentoran don't let the opposition play and JT was closed down and his only option was to play it back to Tall. I was at this stage getting concerned and my concerns proved to be justified.

Tall had another to chance to hoof the ball up-field, but he tried to find Jimer and only found touch to hand the possession back to the Glens. Referee Keith Kennedy, allowed the visitors to take the throw-in from the wrong place and the thrower found Stephen McAlorum, down the left wing and from his cross, Curtis Allen flicked a header on and Gordon headed past Tall. If this wasn't bad enough, two mins later a Jimer pass was intercepted and Gordon found the unmarked Scullion and his shot was tipped by Tall, into his own net.

Was this a mistake by Tall? Did he think he could parry the ball and catch it, or maybe the shot was too good, that remains a matter for speculation, but the crux of the matter is that this game was virtually over before it had even really started. We at 'Sport were thinking on the manager making two changes from his victorious starting line-up of last Saturday's Irish cup match. Dropping the non-performers, the Barber and Cutch and promoting Darboy and McAllister, hereafter called, Maca. Not only did he rest the two players mentioned, Cutch was not even in the panel and didn't come over from Scotland, citing work commitments.

Gawley made the bench, alongside Ally, Ruddy, Brian Mack and Maca and Thommo got Gawley's place in the team and we reverted to 4,3,3. This formation only works if the opposition is playing it too and you have midfielders who can tackle and we don't. It works better if you have pacey players and we don't, Thommo is slow and Jenks has lost his legs and that leaves Tony to do the most of the work. The amount of space the Glens players were finding in midfield was criminal and it needed to be changed, but Glenn stuck to his formation.

United tried to get back in the game and Darboy came close when he cut inside and unleashed a left-foot shot that Morris, the Glens keeper, pushed round the post for a corner. A Glens defender made a goal-line clearance at the expense of another corner. At the other end, Tony's pass was intercepted and but to my relief McAlorum's shot was easily saved by Tall. United won a free kick approaching halftime and this time Cush, laid it back for Tony, but his shot was straight at Morris, who pushed it over the bar. From the corner, taken by Tony, Jenks headed over the bar.

I was beginning to think we would never score when our defenders took a hand. Despite limping, Paddy Mac, found Steeky with a great pass and Steeky's left-wing cross was drilled into the net by Tony, to halve the deficit, to 2-1 in the visitors favour. Could we complete the comeback in the 2nd half I wondered idly and I said to Sammy I thought we needed to change it, but he wasn't impressed, he merely said, Glenn will stick to his guns and he was correct in his assumption.

2nd half
Fergie's hand was forced seven mins after the break, when Paddy Mac limped off to be replaced by Maca, with Jimer going to centre-half and Tony reverting to fullback and we now had no tacklers in midfield. With a bench of four midfielders and one defender, Spike had limited options I know, but why did he pick that squad in the first place. Was there was no room for the versatile Sparky, someone to call upon in an emergency, were those five players the only fit players available?

Glens missed an easy chance to extend their lead when McAlorum took advantage of Jimer's  misjudgement but screwed his shot wide. Maca, who was a surprise target for Glenn in the transfer window, had a run down the right but his cross went abegging as none of our forwards could supply the finishing touch. That was almost the last seem of him in attacking role, but he did manage to get one shot away later on, but it didn't trouble Morris in the Glens nets.

Cush managed to make Morris save his fierce shot at the expense of a corner, but he was not getting the service he craves. With 20 mins to go, Glens missed another chance to take the match beyond United, when Allen volleyed wide when well placed. Five mins later Spike made a strange substitution, when taking off Cush and replacing him with Ally, I thought he was almost saying, 'I'm happy with the 2-1 defeat, let's give Cush a rest,' or am I judging him too harshly?

Five mins later he took off Thommo and replaced him with Brian Mack and I couldn't understand this move either, but its true to say the only tackler worthy of the name on our bench, was Ruddy, but Fergie went for a holding midfielder, who looks about 50% fit, but he is the manager after all. But the Glens wrapped up the points when Allen outpaced JT and beat Tall, at his near post, to complete a 3-1 victory, a deserved victory it has to be said and leave United in the lower reaches of the league table and facing tough fixtures in the rest of this campaign!

Tall (5), Jimer (5), Steeky (7), Paddy Mac (6) (Sub: Maca (6), JT (5),  Thommo (5) (Sub: Mack 5,), Jenks (5), Tony (6), Cush (6) Sub: Ally 5,),Tippers (5), Darboy (6)

Man of the match: Steeky

King David!

The United Talisman, David Cushely  (Cush), proved to be United's saviour at Solitude as his two late goals knocked out Chickenville out and set up a quarter-final tie away to H&W Welders. I think the win was no more than United deserved, playing on the unnatural surface, that suits the home team style of play. If they hadn't seen the task through, no doubt we'd be talking about the totally biased display of Colin 'Blind man' Burns, who denied United two cast iron penalties after giving Chickenville a penalty when top scorer Gorman fell over JT.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind, that Gormely, took a dive and was rewarded by winning a penalty for his side, instead of a booking, which it should have been. United manager Spike, made two changes from his starting line-up of last Saturday's defeat at Windsor Park. Out went Ally, to be replaced with the Barber, Gawley and Dwayne in goals, was replaced with new signing Tim Allen, hereafter, called Tall. Spike's gambled in -playing Tim and was rewarded by a near faultless performance from the Australian native and was only eclipsed, by my reckoning in the man of match accolades, by Cush and Paddy Mac.

The former Reds defender, Paddy Mac, has already proved an asset to the Sky Blues and his no nonsense approach is breathing fresh air into the lungs of his fellow defenders. When we had a goalmouth scramble after half an hour yesterday, Paddy Mac, proved to be the calming influence and we kept our shape and didn't succumb to pressure. Readers of my column know my views on so called progressive clubs (the two Reds), building a stand behind behind the goals to house opposing fans and getting a pat on the back from the IFA, NIFL etc.etc.

But credit to the Sky Blue fans, they turned up in numbers to witness this match, but like me they were peering about 130 yds, when play was up the other end. I mentioned this on a post in the Irish League supporters forum and near got crucified , by all in sundry, for daring to say Chickenville were not a progressive club, but I still stick with what I said, its my opinion. I am indebted to Stephen Alexander, for filling me in what was happening at the other end of the pitch, as Chickenville were defending that end in the first half. I saw we created chances, but I couldn't be sure who it was on the end of them.

According to Stephen, it was Captain Jenks, who couldn't get a shot in at a corner, but I could barley make him out, it was a man in black. At our end, Tall, received a loud cheer from Sky Blue fans, when he plucked a high cross out of the air. He wasn't afraid to come out either, but boobed when coming out as Gormely chased a ball along the touchline, with JT in attendance, but luckily he didn't get stranded, methinks Big Wes will soon set him straight on that one, only come when you are certain of getting the ball.

Cush had a sighter in the first half, but his shot missed the target, but it was only a sighter. Jay Donnelly, fed his namesake, Marty, but Tall saved his shot, knocking it up into the air and catching it, easy peasy for some. The Barber lost possession in the centre circle and JT's attempted clearance rebounded off Donnelly's legs and he burst through. but Tall, in the United goal stood firm and dived on Jay's shot and we breathed a sigh of relief, a let-off, of our own making. The Barber it has to be said was struggling to make an impact, but he backtracked and got in a tackle in, when the Reds turned up the heat.

His long throw-ins didn't lead to many chances and his corners didn't beat the first man, where has it all gone wrong, in the first half of the season, his dead-ball actions were rewarded with goals, but not so yesterday. Paddy Mac went up for his long throw-ins, but they seemed to drop short, we need to get them right or its no point in doing them, IMO. Blind man Burns brought the half to a close, nothing too controversial, had taken place, so we gave him the benefit of the doubt. He was ruling in the Reds favour, when they went down and ignoring our pleas when Tippers was wrestled to the ground, but he saw nothing, but that's only to be expected.

2nd half
United were caught cold at the start of the second half and we were struggling to clear their lines. JT seemed to fall and Gormely thought it was a game and he dived over JT and the Blind man awarded a penalty to the home team. The United team were shell-shocked by this turn of events, but in truth not surprised for we have experienced the biased refereeing of the Blind man, many times before. McMullan tucked away the penally, despite Tall diving the right way to give the home team a  fortuitous 1-0 lead.

Two mins later United were denied a cast iron penalty when, after Cush's initial shot was saved by Cherrie's legs, McGovern took the legs from Cush when he tried to follow up, not surprisingly the Blind man turned his back. In this Irish cup run, we are experimenting on having two extra officials behind the goals and as far as I can see, they are doing no good. The one behind the goal we were attacking in the second period ignored a blatant hand-ball moments later, when a cross from the Barber was deflected away by a defenders hand.

The Blind added insult to injury by awarding us a corner, but I forgot, hand passes by the Reds are legal, we learnt that from the league cup final. JT was lucky to stay on the field as he reacted strongly to a horrendous tackle by Gormely, they should have both been red carded, but they got away with two yellows. United survived a scare when Jay D raced away, but Steeky got back to avert the danger. Spike made two changes at this point, taking off Gawley and Cutch, both of whom were having an off day and brought on Thommo and Darboy and we reverted to 4,3,3, formation, with Cush moving upfront to support Tippers and Darboy.

But it was the home team who were the first to show and Tall, distinguished himself with two or three cracking saves, which kept us in the match. I'm indebted to Stephen once again, for we were defending the far goals in this half and I couldn't be sure of my facts. First he parried a shot from Jay D and then saved Marty D's follow up header. United mounted an attack at the other end and from Jenks cross, Darboy blasted the ball wide, I wondered idly if that was our last chance gone begging. Two mins later, Tall just managed get his hands to a Jay D shot and diverted it to the inside of the post and away to safety.

After a horrendous tackle by Catney on Thommo, the Blind man waved play on and Tony shot straight into the hands of Cherrie, when play stopped a minute later, Burns merely talked to Catney. A minute so later, Thommo committed a foul and the yellow came out immediately, biased or what? As we approached 90 mins with Cherrie, blatantly wasting time, Cush won a free about 25 yards from goal in a central position. Tony rolled the ball to Cush and his thunderbolt took a slight deflection and found the net to tie the scores at one a piece. It was no more and United deserved and three mins later the fairy tale was completed.

Cush was fouled out on the right, about 30 yards from goal and the Reds only put two men in their defensive wall. Again, Tony rolled the ball to Cush and his Thunderbolt sped into the net past the startled Cherrie, to give United a 2-1 lead in the 92 mins. We were deliriously happy and my scarf got a rare outing I can tell you and we had a marvellous view of the goal, most of the game is still a mystery to me, like looking through the wrong lens of binoculars. I felt sorry for Sammy Patterson, he was sick and couldn't make it, but I know he will hear about it for many long years to come.

We intercepted the ball when they centred it and Darboy sped away down  the left-wing and was fouled near the corner flag, but no card this time and he and Tippers, codded about wasting time, until finally the Blind man had, had enough and blew his final whistle. We were celebrating as if we had won the cup, not got into the next round, but we had laid the Chickenville bogey, bring on the Welders. We cheered our heroes and someone from the Reds stand ran onto the field with an Eire flag  and the stewards were hard pressed to catch him and we were victorious and old Tommy Breslin was dumbfounded, I am so glad to see it, long may it continue!


Tall (8), Jimer (7), Steeky (7), Paddy Mac (8), JT (7), Barber (6) (Sub: Thommo 7,), Tony (7), Jenks (7), Cush (8), Cutch (6) (Darboy 7,), Tippers (7)

Man of the match: Paddy Mac

Better Shape!

United manager, Glenn 'Spike Ferguson, proved at Windsor Park, that is not resistant to change. Out went his 4,3,3. formation, that was swamped in the League cup final by the Reds of Chickenville and we played a 4,4,2, system that was more fluent. But it still didn't arrest United's terrible record at the home of the IFA, they were beaten by 2-1, despite taking an early lead through Cush. United were denied a goal in the 41st minute when, Linfield goalkeeper, Glendenning, clutched the ball and stepped over the goal-line, but the Lino didn't signal for a goal.

That proved to be a crucial point in the game, as the IFA equalised two mins later, through fulltime professional, Grant McCann. I don't know much about this goal, as away fans are stuck in the Alex Russell stand or Spion Kop, as its more familiarly known, behind the Boucher Road goals. It seems our goal hero, Cush, had a chance to clear, but he dithered and McCann nipped in to score. Just watched it on the TV, I don't think Cush had a chance to clear, its was a good opportunist goal from McCann.

Our manager Spike, made four changes from his starting line-up of last Saturday's league cup final. Out went Cookie, Mack, Darboy and Thommo and in came new signing Paddy Mac, to line up alongside JT at the centre of our defence. Ally got a rare start on the left, with Cush on the right and Cutch up front with Tippers. Mack and Darboy, were on the bench with Sparky, Gawley and McAllister. Cookie and Thommo didn't even make the bench, whether injured or not I don't honestly know.

United, attacking the Spion Kop goals, made a bright start, but the IFA's Ross Clarke, fouled Steeky with barely two mins on the clock. Ref Davey, didn't even say he'd done it and he repeated the dose soon after, which should have brought a booking, but the ref merely talked to him. After ten mins or so, when Steeky was shielding the ball back for a goal-kick, Clarke, bundled him over unnecessarily and was booked, not before time I thought.

The game was played in dreadful conditions with a swirling wind, but United missed a great chance, when from Cush corner on the left, the ball flashed over the six-yard box, just begging for a touch, but nobody was there to supply that touch. At the other end Peter Thompson, missed a glorious chance to give his side the lead, as Steeky lost possession, but threw himself at Thompson's feet causing the IFA striker to fire over the bar, when it looked easier to score.

With 17 mins gone United took the lead, when we won a free kick about 30 yards from goal and Tony, rolled the ball to Cush, who strode forward a couple of yards before releasing a thunderbolt, which swerved past the outstretched hands of Glendenning, the IFA keeper. I had a perfect view of this goal going into the net and the keeper had no chance and I and the small band of United supporters were a cock-a-hoop, I can tell you.

Earlier, Glendenning, in the IFA goal, had a bit of a let-off, when he tried to chip the ball over Tippers, but the ball bounced off the United striker's back and into the grateful arms of the keeper. Linfield tried to get back on terms and Waterworth fired over when well placed and then Wards curler flew past Dwayne's left post, with the keeper well beaten. But it was United who had should have taken the lead, but the Lino was at the Boucher Road end was sleeping and missed the action.

It there seemed to be little danger as Captain Jenks chased a ball down the left-wing and his cross seemed to be too near the keeper. The keeper was claiming the ball had gone out, but the Lino seemed to wave play on and Glendenning caught the ball and inadvertently stepped over the goal-line, but the Lino saw nothing and he got away with his mistake, but it looked to be in the net as far as I could see, although I was at least 50 yards behind the goal.

As usually happens in these incidents, two mins later Linfield got an equaliser, when McCann drove the ball home past Nelson, who had no chance. Linfield were back on terms, but in my book they should have been 2-1 down, but no signal from the Lino and Lucky Linfield got away with it, much as Chickenville got away with the handball incident in last weeks league cup final, no justice for country teams in Belfast. There was no further scoring until the halftime whistle sounded and the players trotted off to their halftime cuppa.

2nd half
The talk at halftime was all about how Paddy Mac was having a good debut and our goal which was not given , just our luck I thought. Linfield came out with all guns blazing in the 2nd half and when Ally made a hash of a clearance, it went straight to McCann and he found Waterworth unmarked and he headed into the net only for the Lino's flag to rule the goal out, so the Lino had woken up at halftime. The IFA pressure was relentless and a McCann free-kick beat Nelson, but also beat the crossbar and ended up on the top of the net.

It was obvious a change would have to made and Cush went off to be replaced by new signing Eamon McAllister, making his United debut. United managed to fashion a chance, when Tippers found Ally in the box, but he screwed his right-foot shot wide, from a good position. This was Ally's last meaningful contribution to proceedings as he was replaced by the barber,Gawley. McAllister had a good run out on the right, but his cross was too close to the keeper, who saved easily. Our two strikers, Tippers and Cutch, were struggling and it was obvious a change would have to made.

Clarke, of Linfield, was giving Steeky a torrid time on the right flank and from one of those mazy runs, he got a bit of space and drove the ball into the net despite Nelson getting a hand to it, to give IFA a 2-1 lead. At last Fergie acted and took off Tippers with ten mins remaining, too little too late I thought. Paddy Mac went down with a head injury, when he was fouled, but he was able to resume after treatment from our physio.  After this the game petered out, we won a few throw-ins taken by the barber, but nothing came of them.

When the ref finally blew his whistle, I couldn't help thinking that we had been robbed, on the balance of play maybe the IFA just deserved the three points, but with an alert Lino, we could have at least got a share of the spoils and I think it would have been only fair, but nothings changed, you get nothing but hard luck stories when you play the IFA. Next up for United is an away trip to Solitude, to play Chickenville in the Irish cup, the fourth time this season we have played them at Solitude and we're overdue a win, let be next week and please let us have some alert officials, COSB!

Nelson (7), Jimer (7), Steeky (6), Paddy Mac (7), JT (7), Cush (7) (Sub: Eamon Mac 6,), Tony (6), Jenks (6), Ally (6) (Sub: Barber 6,), Tippers (6) (Sub: Darboy 6,), Cutch (6)

Man of the match: Cush