Biased Keith!

Nelson (8), Ervin (6), Rodger (7), Kyley (7), Ruddy (8) (Sub: Millar, 80 mins, 6), Ferguson (6) (Sub: Hanley, 62 mins, 7), Cush (7), Faulkner (6) Jenks (8) Matty (7), Tippers (7) (Sub: Darhen, 75 mins, 7),

Man of the match: Mike Ruddy

Referee: Keith (Biased) Kennedy: 2



Its easy to blame the ref for all your troubles, but in this case he's totally to blame. Firstly he gives a penalty for a foul outside the box and TV replays suggest there was minimal contact between United Captain Jimer and Chines of Carrick, in short the Carrick man took a dive. Then he adds insult to injury by sending Jimer off and awarding a penalty, with only 35 seconds on the clock. It was never a penalty, it was a free-kick in the 'D' if was anything and it was never a sending-off.

The ref showed his biased nature 14 mins later when young United striker Matty, was tripped, when he outsmarted his marker in the box as he bore down on goal and incredulously Keith, booked the United striker for 'diving', a complete travesty of justice. As if this wasn't enough, he ruled a perfectly headed goal from the young striker out for a foul that only he saw. In the 2nd half, he had to change his mind when he ruled that Gary Rodger, had been guilty of a back-pass , when he clearly used his knee, the only decision he got right on the night.

United's penchant for conceding early goals was evident last night, when a hopeful punt out of defence, caught Kyley off-balance and striker Chines ran through unopposed. As he neared the box, United captain Jimer challenged him and as the ball run loose, ref Keith Kennedy, an avowed Linfield fan, red carded Jimer and gave a penalty to boot. Chines, defied gravity by springing to his feet and beat Dwayne easily from the spot-kick. United had to withstand an onslaught as Carrick sought to another goal, using their superior numbers, 11 against 10.

Or as Sammy said, 10 against 12, for the ref was really biased in Carrick's favour and he proved it throughout the game. I couldn't believe it when he booked young Matty, when he was clearly tripped trying to get shot off on goal, not going to ground as Chines had done in the first minute. If that wasn't bad enough, he ruled out a perfectly good header from the young striker. when ex-United player, Mark Surgenor, mistimed his jump and the ref gave a foul when no contact was made.

As Chines and Ruddy tussled for the ball, Chines dived hoping to win another penalty and in the aftermath Chines raised his fists, but the referee gave nothing but a free out. He had already booked, Cush and Matty and sent-off Jimer and seemed determined to not book any Carrick men and let them off scot-free. Matty Shevlin, failed to work the keeper, although there appeared to be a bit of short-pulling going on, but unsurprisingly, the ref saw nothing and gave a goal-kick.

The United managers son, young Spike, proved that he hadn't picked up his father's talent for scoring with his head, when he could only head over the bar with a free header from a Cush corner. This benevolence in front of goal almost came to back to haunt United as our defence was guilty of defending too deep and a Carrick player, Kelly, I think it was, headed against a post, when it looked easier to score and United gratefully cleared the ball up-field.

Near halftime  there seemed to bit of argy-bargy in the home stand and I'm indebted to others sitting near the melee, as they told me a group of supporters had a banner, saying 'Spike out', removed by safety stewards and this is what all the trouble was about. A storm in a teacup, no bearing on the game last night, although I don't agree with Spike's comment about supporters, he certainly earned his wages last night and he motivated his team to get in there and fight.

2nd half.

United acme out for the second-half with renewed vigour and referee Keith Kennedy, booked his first Carrick man. McNeil,  with 3 mins on the clock. I foolishly thought he was going to take a grip on the game, but nothing could be further from the truth as he continued to let the visitors away with somewhat tasty tackles and lying down feigning injury, to try to get United players booked. I feel I must praise Mike Ruddy here, he was subjected to some tasty tackles, but he kept his cool.

From a United free-kick, the Carrick keeper Neeson, seemed to get United defender Rodger first as he come for a high ball, Rodger collided with Matty and the ref reluctantly blew his whistle, so that the players could get treatment. The ref didn't consult the Linesman, but its maybe just as well for this official flagged for an offside from a throw-in as United mounted an attack. Rodger had to go off and get a replacement jersey, Tony Kane's old top and United were momentarily down to 9 men.

The ref showed a bit of common sense, by not making young Matty go the touchline, which would have left us with only 8 players on the field. At last Spike acted by taking off young Spike and bring on Hanley. A minute later as Ruddy was guilty of a late tackle, the ref booked the United man, a complete miscarriage of justice if I ever saw one, just a min before Ruddy, had, had his legs clipped form under him and not word said to the culprit.

Fergie, then brought the tiring Tippers off and sent on Darhen in an effort to  inject some new blood into his attack. Nathan Hanley, had taken over the free-kick taking role and the Carrick keeper Neeson, was relieved to see a fumble going round the post from one of these. Spike made his last sub, taking the injured Ruddy and sending on Leroy Millar. From a corner on the left the ball fell nicely to Faulkner, but his shot didn't trouble Neeson in the visitors goal, another chance gone begging I thought.

With 7 mins left, Smyth of Carrick was booked and from the resultant free-kick, the visitors defence, clearly under pressure, was happy to concede a corner, but United couldn't take advantage and the chance was lost. With time edging away, United won a free-kick on the halfway line and the beleaguered Carrick defence  could only edge it on and Jenks was on  hand to volley the ball home from 8 yards.

The players converged on the manager, so much was the relief of finally scoring a goal and setting up our first point, potentially. The crowd were ecstatic, but I was worried about the 4 mins that the ref had added on. Rodger, nearly sold the ranch earlier when he had played a loose ball to a Carrick man but luckily the Carrick man could only shoot wide. The ref gave Carrick a free kick in time added on and the Sky Blues were relieved to see the ball miss the target and winger Roy, ghosting in, could only hit the side-netting.

When the final whistle sounded, I could see hordes of police surrounding the players tunnel, but it was the referee they had come to protect, not our under-fire manager and he needed it as the crowd were baying for his blood and rightly so in my book, he turned out to be a real 'love child', but what else is new. As for United, it doesn't get any easier, as they face a trip  to Moyola, in the league cup on Tuesday night, followed by a trip to the Oval next Saturday, bring them on, I can hardly wait!

Worried Glenn!

 Nelson (6), Ervin (6), McVey (6), Rodger (7), Ruddy (7), Thommo (7), Ferguson (6) Sub: Hanley 69 mins 6,), Jenkins (6), Faulkner (5), Shevlin (7) (Sub: Millar 67 mins, 5), Cushley (6)


 Man of the match: Thommo

Referee: Ross Dunlop (4)

How's that old song go, 'It takes a worried man to sing a worried song,etc.etc.', I think our manger was singing it last night, at least he looked worried as he came off at Stangmore Park and so he should be. He gave a debut to new on-loan signing Gary Rodger, from St Johnstone and although he had a good debut, he nevertheless misjudged a high ball with 3 mins to go and Swifts player McElroy ran through unchallenged to beat Dwayne at his far post and condemn United to their fourth defeat in four games.

The first Swifts goal came about when, Glenn, in his wisdom, took off Matty, with a third of the game still remaining and in my opinion did his team no favours and brought on Leroy Millar, who has recently been scoring goals for fun in the reserves. Leroy, got caught in possession and gave the ball away in his own half and Ryan Harpur beat the offside trap and chipped Dwayne from 10 yards.

Harpur, should have been sent to the dressing room in the first-half, when ref Ross Dunlop, let him away with a horrendous tackle on Cush and two mins later, he had to book him for a similar foul on the same player. Contrast this with a booking for Kyley after 15 mins when, a Swifts player feigned injury, as they went for a 50/50 ball, Ross couldn't get the yellow card out quick enough.

Midway through the half he stopped play for an unseen infringement and then changed his mind and gave a bounce ball and instructed United , who were in possession at the time, to play the ball to the Swifts, the mind truly boggles. United manager, Spike, made two changes from his starting line-up of last Saturday's capitulation to the scum. Out went young kyle Crawford and veteran Tippers and in came new signing, Rodger and Faulkner.

Darhen, who impressed when he came on last Saturday, didn't even make the panel, but he could have been injured or out of favour. As expected, the Swifts put us under pressure from the start and although they forced several corners, despite having free headers, they couldn't get the breakthrough and we breathed a sigh of relief. The closest that we came during this opening period was a Cush free-kick that was charged down.

We have got to have a different ploy from free-kicks, teams are wise to Cush's blasters and defend them accordingly. United started to get a foothold in the game, but playing Jenks upfront didn't work as far as I was concerned, Matty and him never gelled. Faulkner should have given us the lead when he broke free on the right, but he delayed and Montgomery tackled him and the chance was lost. Dwayne, was called into action when a looping header almost caught him out, but he saved it just short of the goal-line.

Then Jenks had a chance to score, but he was too slow to react and Rodger got a free header at the back post from a Cush corner, but failed to find the target. That was nearly the last action of the half and the players went off the field with the score 0-0, definitely an improvement as far as United were concerned, but could they hold it and get their first point or points, that was $64,000 question and Glenn looked pleased when he came past me.

2nd half
How United didn't turn their superiority into goals in this half beggars belief, it was virtually shooting in, or should I say shooting and missing the target, time and time again. Matty, Cush and Jenks were all guilty of not working the keeper when they were well placed and for good measure, Faulkner, too missed the target, when well placed also. United manager, Spike, made two changes, taking off young Matty and his son and bring on Millar and Hanley.

I couldn't understand his taking off of Matty, if he wanted to bring Millar on, surely Falkner should have been taken off and Jenks moved back into midfield, not taking off our one goalscorer, but it was the manager's decision. As it was Millar, as far as I could see, didn't offer much and he was caught in possession for the first goal, but it could have been anyone, he was just unfortunate and Swifts players surrounded him with no help in sight.

Cush should have scored, when he latched on a weak defensive header, but Coleman in the Swifts goal, made a decisive save. Two seasons ago, Cush would have scored the chance, but he still hasn't regained the sharpness that he had back then. That proved to be the nail in the coffin as far as United was concerned and the Swifts tied up the points, when Rodger, missed with a header and McElroy beat Dwayne with a crisp shot in the far corner.

A goal worthy of winning any game and United had registered their fourth defeat in four, a dismal record for a once proud team. Glenn, came trudging past us and Omar inquired of him 'was he worried now and nodded that he was, but is it too little too late, to save his United tenure of management, or does he get another chance when Carrick come calling next Friday night. The mood wasn't lifted when the draw was made for League cup and United were drawn away to Moyola Park, a banana skin if I ever saw one!

Utter Bollocks!

Nelson (7), Jimer (5), Ruddy (7), Kyley (5), Crawford (4), Thommo (5) ( Sub: Hanley 66 mins, 5,), Jenks (5), Ferguson (5), Cush (5) (Sub: Darhen 58 mins, 6,), Tippers (4) (Sub: Millar 5,), Matty (6)

Man of the match: Mike Ruddy

Referee: Ian McNabb (3)

All in all, United manager Spike, made seven changes from his starting line-up and as it turned out, he wasted his time and ours. As expected Dwayne, got the nod in goal in place of 'stay on the goal-line, no matter what', Blaney. I absolve Dwayne, of any blame for the two goals that the scum scored with ease, against our slip-shod defenders. Jimer, who was sent-off against Linfield, returned to the starting line-up, but he needn't have bothered.

He made a hash of a simple header with 2 mins gone and Morrow of the scum ran through our defence like 'syrup of figs' and gave the onrushing Dwayne, no chance to put the scum one-up. It looked like a goal from the training ground, the keeper hoists the ball up-field, the winger times his jump or in Jimer's case unopposed and Morrow runs through unmarked, with the United defence looking on, what were they thinking of?

Spike also promoted Mike Ruddy in place of Steeky and he impressed having a fairly good game, but young Kyle Crawford from the reserves, didn't win a header all day and looked like 'a fish out of water', but in this United defence with no leaders, he's no worse than Jimer and Kyley. Gary Thompson, with the pace of a five year-old, was tried wide on the  right, and Sammy Patterson remarked, he's Fergie's favourite and Fergie is clutching at straws to get a position for him.

On this showing it isn't on the right wing or indeed anywhere I hasten to add, his lack of pace means he gets caught in possession 80% of his time on the pitch. Fergie, also started his son Matthew and he was a little boy lost, but no worse than Thommo, Jenks or the disappointing Cush who was taken off with more than a third of the game still to play. Our Talisman is struggling for form and in truth that's down to our manager, who continues to play him out of position.

Tippers, was another passenger, but he's not a target man and no amount of balls hoisted up to him, will make him a target man, we are going to have to find a different ploy. But the scum, didn't let us build from the back and we haven't the players to do that anyway, it usually ends up with a hoof up the field where Douglas and Ogilby dealt with almost everything. There were occasions when they messed up, but we didn't punish them and let the chance go begging.

The one bright spark in the United line-up could have gotten us a draw, as young Matty missed two gilt-edged chance after the scum had taken an early lead. He missed a glorious chance to get us on level terms but with goal at his mercy he shot weakly at scum keeper Doherty, I thought he could've passed to the unmarked Cush, but he is a striker and he knows just one thing to do in that situation, to go for goal.

United were foiled every-time they started an attack, bu uncompromising foul tackles, by the scum aided and abetted by referee McNabb (an avowed scum fan), not having any yellow cards. But this proved to a fallacy, when young Ferguson, tripped a scum player who went down feigning injury and McNabb, couldn't get the card out quick enough. Two minutes later, Matty, took advantage of a slip by Harkin, but could only shoot directly at Doherty, who saved with his outstretched leg.

This benevolence in front of goal was punished midway through the half, when from a corner the United defence went asleep again and Canning's, bullet like header found the back of the net past the hapless, Dwayne. It should have been three moments after when from another corner, Parkhill was left unmarked and his rising shot sailed harmlessly over the bar, with his marker, Thommo not closing him down. United managed to hold out to halftime without further punishment, but I could see changes would have to be made.

2nd half
United took the field with the same eleven and Cush, was reduced to trying long shots, which didn't trouble the scum keeper, there were so far off target. At last Fergie had seen enough and with 35 mins left, he took off Cush and brought on Darhen. This necessitated a change of formation, when we went to 4.3.3, but it didn't make any difference. After Matty, had missed from an acute angle, Jenks broke down the left and sent over a teasing cross, begging to put away, but Matty & Co, couldn't get a touch.

Just after Hanley had come on for Thommo, the scum won a free-kick, McCaffrey, took the kick before the ref blew his whistle and it flew off our defensive wall and into the net, but the ref rightly booked McCaffrey for taking the kick early and made him take it again and he nearly scored at Dwayne's  near post with the keeper scrambling to get there. Soon after this United won a free-kick about 25 yards from goal, took it short and from Ferguson's cross, Darhen, tapped the ball home.

But the goal was disallowed by a lino's flag, in contrast to the first-half when the same lino, missed four blatant offsides, one of them ridiculous, when the player was at least 10 yards offside, but the flag stayed down. I thought Darhen was onside when the cross was played in, but TV pictures are inconclusive, not at the right angle. But the goal was ruled out and with it United's last chance to get back into the game.

The scum continued to break up play at every opportunity, but the ref refused to book them, for some tasty tackles. Leroy Millar replaced Tippers midway through the half, but he made little or no difference as far as I could see. Doherty in the scum goal continued to waste time and though ref McNabb warned him, he took no action, but added a minute on at the end of the ninety, which was no use to us. I find generally if the ref warns a goalie once and then flourishes the yellow card, he nips it in the bud, but McNabb took no action and the Doherty continued to waste time.

But he managed to book two United players, Hanley and Ruddy near the end, for tackles, that was frustration showing through. In an earlier, incident, when Jenks mad a hash of a simple pass to Thommo, someone admonished him from the crowd and Sammy, said, he gave the fingers to the abuser, I hope Spike saw that and fined him or dropped him for our next game. I thought incidentally that ref should have made, us or the scum, change the shorts that were wearing, both in navy shorts. I'm not making any excuses for bad passes, but its confusing to say the least.

When the ref blew his final whistle some United fans stayed behind to applaud the team off, I didn't, I couldn't get out of there quick enough, it left a bad taste in my mouth. But the majority of the fans stayed behind, to boo the manager, but he's not going to resign and our board in their wisdom, gave him an extended contract and it's going take a lot of money to break that contract, but we have to find it, I think, or relegation at least is all we can hope for in the long run, he hasn't a clue how to fix the dilemma we find ourselves in, he has to go!

Back Wednesday!

 Blaney (5), Tony (5), Steeky (5), Paddy Mac (4) (Sub: Matty, 30mins,7,), Kyley (4), Faulkner (4), Jenks (4), Hanley (4) (Sub: Ferguson 77 mins, 4,), O. Kane (4), (Sub; Thommo, 46 mins, 4,), Tippers (4), Cush (6)

Man of the match: Matty (Shevlin),

Referee: Dim, (3).

There is a date in the Calendar that's known as Ash Wednesday, I think its the day after Pancake Tuesday, which signals the start of Lent. In last night's game at the Showgrounds, the United team disintegrated in ashes, against a Glenavon team who scored at will. New keeper, Alan Blaney, who I honestly never rated when he was at United in Roy Walker's reign, had a stinker in the first 20 minutes. He wasn't alone in having a stinker, it would be hard to pick a United player who was better than mediocre in this spell.

Barely 2 mins was on the clock, when the visitors won a corner on the right and from Neil's in-swinging corner, the United defence stood still and Blaney stayed on his line and allowed Marshall to shoot home to give Glenavon an easy lead. Ten mins later the dose was repeated, from the opposite side, as Andy Hall delivered another in-swinger straight to the unmarked Elbert, who gleefully planted a header beyond the reach of Blaney, to make the score 2-0 to the visitors.

Little was seen of United as an attacking force, but when they did mount an attack, they found the visitors defence in an uncompromising mood. They fouled at will, backed up by referee, Tim, 'nice but dim,' Marshall, hereafter called, Dim. The number of times Glenavon players came 'over the top' when Tippers was trying to hold the ball, is too numerous to mention and Dim, never threatened a yellow card to nip this foul play in the bud.

Disaster struck for United after 20 minutes, when after Kyley slipped, Paddy Mac, dithered and lost possession to Bradley and he fed Braniff, looking suspiciously offside, but no flag. He ran through unchecked and gave Blaney no chance with a rising shot. But I can't understand why there was no cover, when kyley slipped, but its not surprising when Fergie, in his wisdom, picked an attacking midfield.

Was Gavin injured, or not available, or was he dropped, he didn't even make the panel, a dreadful omission, if he was indeed fit. All in all, Spike, made four changes from his starting line-up from Saturday's defeat at Windsor. Out went the suspended, Jimer and the injured JT, as well as Thommo and Gawley. Those taking their place were Jenks, Owen Kane, Paddy Mac and Faulkner and they didn't perform to a man.

I was really disappointed in Owen Kane and Faulkner, having heard so much about them, they were like 'fish out of water', they contributed nothing, virtual passengers. Just before the half hour mark, Glenavon won another corner and the United defence went asleep again and Bradley beat Blaney from close range to give his team an unassailable lead, 4-0. At last Fergie awoke from his slumbers and made a substitution.

He took off Paddy Mac and brought on young Matty Shevlin, which necessitated Jenks moving back to partner Kyley in central defence. Surely he had to bolster our defence, instead of taking a defender off, but he had only one defender on his bench, Mike Ruddy, so I suppose he had little option. Elbert should have made it five, when he headed against the bar with the goal gaping. Dim, finally woke up and booked the said Elbert, who reached out pushed Cush, when the United man sped past him.

i thought it should have been a red card, as Dim called the player to him, who ignored him, adding dissent to his foul play, but Dim let him away with it, nothing new there. United managed to hold out to halftime, despite Andy Hall coming close, as his shot just skimmed the bar. I foolishly thought Spike, had to see the error of his ways and get a defender on to bolster our defence in attempt to keep the score down, I'm actually living in 'cloud cuckoo land' I think.

2nd half
Spike's master stroke, was to take Owen Kane off and bring on the slowest man in the Premier league, Thommo and the visitors continued to attack at will. Hanley became the first player of United to be booked, for a clumsy tackle in midfield as United continued to be second best. United got a glimmer of hope, just a glimmer, when young Matty latched onto a pass from Cush, looking suspiciously offside and nutmegged keeper Tuffey, to make the scoreline,4-1 to the visitors.

He almost repeated the dose, two mins later, when cutting in from the right and driving the ball into the six-yard box, the visitors managed to clear it, but there seemed to be a handball, but Dim saw nothing. Tony became the second United player to be booked for a foul when a visitors player made a meal of a simple case of impeding (if it was a foul), near the 4th official. In contrast with a rugby tackle from a Glenavon player on Cush, in the first-half, that brought no card.

From a United attack, Tippers was manhandled to the ground in front of the 4th official, the linesman and Dim, but nothing was given and Hall picked up the loose ball and ran unchecked for 65 yards and slotted the ball, home to give his side a 5-1 lead. Spike and his coaches, were livid with the Linesman and Dim, but after all's said and done, we stopped expecting a foul as Glenavon played on and scored. Bradley got number six as Jenks, dithered and dallied, what was he thinking of, I honestly don't know.

Fergie's, great move after this, was to bring on his son Matthew, for Hanley, but in truth he could have brought anybody off, except Shevlin and Cush, we were that poor. Young Ferguson, with his first touch lost the ball and then gave away a foul trying to win it back. Luckily for him this didn't lead to a goal, but a minute later it was seven, when Bradley got a free header from a cross from from sub, Mark Patton.

It could have been worse, as the visitors hit the woodwork for the third time and player-manager, Gary Hamilton, missed with a free header when it looked easier to score. Luckily for United, Dim only added on 2 mins to the ninety and they managed to see out the game without conceding any more. Something needs to be done and done quickly with a derby game with the scum coming up this Saturday, a victory for the visitors, however unthinkable, will surely trigger calls for our board to act, sooner rather than later and redress this dreadful situation!

Another Flop!

 United team: Alan B (7), Jimer (7), Steeky (7), JT (5) (Sub: 46 mins, Gavin, 7,), Kyley (7), Gawley (6) (Sub: 54 mins, Darhen, 6), Tony (6), Thommo (5) (Sub: 59 mins, Jenks, 7,), Hanley (5), Cush (6), Tippers (5).

Man of the match: Kyler

Referee: A. Davey (3)

As if it wasn't tough for United in the Premier league, this abysmal performance against Linfied/IFA, plumbed new depths. When will our manager learn, that Gary Thompson is as slow as a carthorse and can't tackle a fish supper. To start him in centre-midfield role alongside Tony, shows how naive in footballing terms our manger really is.

I don't think there was a supporter in the surprising large Sky Blue's support, I would say 300 plus, that expected anything but Linfield to come out and steamroller us into submission. Spike's, selection made that task easier for them. Tony Kane's true position is rightback or wing-back, he cannot play  centre-midfield, he doesn't have the know how to play in that position, if you got to play him in  midfield, play him wide right, where he gives the fullback some help.

Too many times yesterday, Tony was wandering about, not picking anybody up and looking like the proverbial spare 'prick'. If Gavin Taggart was fighting fit and he seemed to be, he could have started in Tony's place and ex-Captain Jenks, could have started alongside him. Another mistake Fergie made, was in playing Cush as a striker. The number of times, he was either caught offside or in an offside position, beggars belief.

Cush's best position and I would go so far as saying, his only position, is wide right or wide left, where he likes to run and people and play one-twos with the likes of Tony, not isolated up front. Having said that, Spike was maybe confused by Boyce's change of name to Henderson and felt he couldn't start him. I on the other hand, have got to call Darboy no more (Boyce), his new name is Darhen, taking the first three letter of his new surname and adding them to the first three letters of his forename, now and evermore.

All joking aside, wouldn't it be better to give young Matty (Shevlin), a start and see if he could ruffle Linfield's feathers, but like Nero before him, Spike fiddled while we were burned by the fast moving IFA team. Referee Andrew Davey proved beyond doubt that he has learned to toe the line and his decision in the second-half to give a corner, when Linfield keeper, Ross Glendennig, clearly handled the ball outside the box, proved he was doing his master bidding.

That incident happened in the 56th minute and 21 minutes later he couldn't get the red card out quick enough, to send United Captain, Jimer, off, when TV replays showed there was minimal contact, in fact I would go as far to say the player, Guy Bates, dived. But referee Davey, sent Jimer off, ignoring the fact that there was a covering player. We were a beaten team before that, losing 2-0 and Linfield scored two more to put the icing on the cake.

In an Interview after the game, our manager put the blame firmly on the players, instead of admitting he made a bad choice in centre-midfield and this led to our downfall. As expected, JT was passed fit to play, there was a doubt hanging over him as he was sent-off during a 'friendly game' against Ballyclare, with ex-United player, Randal Reid. But he's struggling for form and got injured in a tackle near halftime and didn't come for the second-half.

Linfied started like a whirlwind, intent on steamrollering us into submission and it nearly worked, Waterworth coming close, after 14 mins, when he held off JT, but his shot went wide of the posts with Alan B, in the United goal struggling. Little was seen of United as an attacking force, but when they played the ball up to Tippers, he was inevitably fouled, by the Linfield central defenders and although this went on the whole game, ref Davey never cautioned the culprits.

Linfield continued to batter us and Steeky was having a nightmare, but he stuck to his guns and Linfied switched their attack to the left, where they started to get inroads into the United defence. Despite winning a free kick and a corner, taken by Gawley, United failed to trouble the Linfield defence, as Gawley failed to beat the first man, a terrible waste. Cush came close with a 35 yard free-kick, hitting the Linfield defensive wall but his follow up shot swerved harmlessly wide.

United managed to hold out for half an hour, but in a spell of IFA pressure, when United couldn't clear their lines,  an in-swinging corner, taken by Millar of Linfield, allowed Aaron Burns, to rise unchallenged to head his team into the lead. It was no more than Linfield deserved, but straight away United missed a glorious chance to equalise when Gawley could only direct a feeble header into the grateful arms arms of the Linfield keeper.

The first Linfield goal came in the 32nd minute, timed on Sammy Patterson's stop watch, it will be interesting to to see what the golden goal time was. Linfield punished United  8 minutes later for this benevolence in front of goal, when Lowry, was allowed to waltz, virtually unchallenged to the by-line on United's right flank and from his cross, Burns was again on hand to bury the ball in the net, despite Alan B, getting a hand to the initial cross.

On the stroke of halftime, captain Jimer, nearly pulled one back when he released a snap shot from fully 40 yards, that had the Linfield keeper struggling, but he was able to punch the ball over the bar for a corner. Nathan Hanley, took this corner, but despite lots of players in the six-yard box, no United player could get enough on the ball to trouble the Linfield goal. As the players shuffled off at halftime, I wondered idly if our manager would make any changes, or would he stick with the same players.


2nd half
United came out for the 2nd half minus JT, replaced by Gavin T, which meant Jimer moving alongside Kyley, Tony reverting to rightback and Gavin taking Tony's place in centre-midfield. The first chance of this half fell to Cush, but with his back to goal he tried an audacious overhead kick, which was just wide with Glendenning scrambling. United enjoyed a bit of possession at the start of this half but they couldn't get the fianl pass that would unlock the IFA defence.

Our manager in his wisdom, decided to change things and brought on Darhen and we changed our formation to a 4,3,3.  Two minutes later, Cush broke free of his marker and Glendenning rushed from his goal and clearly handled the ball outside of the box and ref Andrew Davey gave a corner, much to the annoyance of the Sky Blue faithful and our players, but we were playing the IFA and dodgy decisions are to be expected, it's part and parcel of the job in hand so to speak.

United were forced into another substitution, when Thommo had to come off and was replaced by ex-Captain Jenks. This seemed to waken Linfield up and they started to exert some pressure on the beleaguered United defence. Burns of Linfield, was earlier booked for a late challenge on Tony, who it has to be said made a meal of the challenge. Hanley was booked on the hour mark for a needless challenge and not to be outdone, Tony picked a needless yellow card also.

Gavin first foul brought him a booking also and the Linfield defenders were getting away with fouling Tippers every time and the ref ignored United's protests. With 13 mins remaining, disaster struck for United, when Tony missed a tackle and Master Bates, bore down on goal. Jimer managed to get back and Bates seemed to stumble and fell, with little or no contact from Jimer and there was a covering player, Kyley, but the referee couldn't get the red card out quick enough.

Jimer pleaded with the ref, to no avail, that there was a covering player and he slammed his Captain's armband down in disgust, but he had to go. From the resultant free-kick, Alan B, who had been hesitant earlier, redeemed himself with a wonderful save at the expense of a corner, from the boot of Quinn of Linfield. Linfield continued to barrage the United goal and it was breached with 5 mins to go when Waterworth was on hand to tap the ball into the net.

With injury time approaching, IFA added a fourth goal, when from a free-kick taken by Quinn, the ball struck the far post and fell kindly for IFA man, Reece Glendenning, to tap home and flattered the scoreline, 4-0 in favour of Linfield. Despite lots of pressure and ref Davey adding on more minutes, the score remained at 4-0 and United had suffered yet another defeat at the hands of the IFA/Linfield, but I think its all down to our manager's selection, the buck stops at you, Spike!