Three Amigos!

 Dwayne (8), T Kane (8), JT (7), Jimer (7), Ruddy (7), Jenks (5), O. Kane (8) (Sub: Thommo 89mins 7), Faulkner (5), Cush (7), Tippers (7) (Sub: Gawley 79 mins 7), Matty (7). Subs (not used): Kyley, Maggers and Darboy.

Man of the match:  Tony Kane

Referee: Arnie Hunter 4

United owe this victory (their first ever at Warrenpoint), to three players, two Kanes and Dwayne, its been hard to separate them for my man of the match, but I think the fact that Tony was 'out of favour' for a few games (will we ever know the real reason?), he just shades it, but it was a close run thing. Tony had two assists in the game, as first he took a pass from Matty and found Tippers lurking in the six-yard box and then he rolled the ball to Cush, from a free kick, as only he knows how.

When United scored just after halftime, through Cush's free kick, I foolishly thought we would go on to win at a canter, but Sammy, said its not over yet and so it proved. As expected Glenn, picked the nucleus of the side that side that had snatched a draw at home to the Ducks. The only change was Tony Kane, for Rodger, whether through injury or other reasons, I honestly don't know. Jimer, moved to sweeper and Tony filled in at rightback.

There wasn't much to choose between the sides in the opening 15 mins, JT, was alert to a Point attack and made a superb tackle and from Mike Ruddy's pass, Cush volleyed wide, he had time to steady himself and pick his spot, but that's not Cush-like. A few moments later Tippers had the first real chance when Cush pass was headed clear only to Tippers, but he couldn't find the target with his shot and failed to work former United keeper, Shan, in the Point goal.

Then it was Tony's turn, with the best passing sequence in the match so far, but his left-foot shot (I didn't know he was two-footed), was just over Shan's bar, a chance gone missing. Jenks was booked by ref Hunter for a studs up tackle, but the home side got away with several questionable tackles throughout the game. Little was seen of United's young star, Matty, but after 34 mins he found Tony on the edge of the penalty area and he in turn found the unmarked Tippers in the six-yard box and Tippers made no mistake to give United a one goal lead despite the attentions of Shan.

Tony nearly doubled United's advantage, when he intercepted a pass and thumped a left-foot shot that had Shan at full stretch, but missed the target by inches. With the 45 mins almost up, Matty's was backing up for a high pass which he headed, only for Barmy Arnie, to book him as his arms came in contact with a Point defender, which in all fairness Matty, was oblivious to, as he had his eye on the ball. A minute later, in added time, a Point player pole-axed JT, with an outstretched arm, but no yellow card this time from Barmy Arnie, surprise, surprise!


2n half
United seemed to have put the result beyond doubt, two mins after the restart, when Owen Kane went on a surging run, only to be fouled, when he was about to pull the trigger, by defender, Moan, who was rightly booked. From the resultant free-kick, it was plain to see, a member of the Point wall, was not ten yards and but Barmy Arnie, took no action, even when they all broke, when Tony pretended to roll the ball. When Tony did roll the ball to Cush, his left-foot shot went into the net of Shan's left-hand post to leave him helpless and put United 2-0 up.

Surely United would go on and win handsomely I foolishly thought, but they like to put us through the wringer and yesterday proved to be no exception. The Point, seemed devoid of ideas, but they continued to press and started to make inroads into our defence. From a neat bit of play, McVeigh's hopeful cross from the left, was dropped by Dwayne, who redeemed himself by parrying D. Hughes shot, but the rebound fell to the Stephen Hughes and he made no mistake at the second attempt to make the score, 2-1 in United's favour.

Dwayne, has to shoulder the initial blame for dropping the ball, but where were our defenders, when he parried the shot and despite having four or five defenders in the box, we couldn't clear the ball. On 69 mins JT, scooped the ball over the bar, when a Cush corner fell to him in the six-yard box. When JT, messed up in defence, letting sub McCabe through, Dwayne came to our and JT's rescue, by blocking the subs shot with his legs'

Barmy Arnie, denied United a cast iron penalty, when a Point defender handled a Matty cross and the ref only five yards away waved play on. Dwayne came to our rescue once again when he dived on the ball to prevent a Point striker getting a touch. With 11 mins to go Spike, took off the tiring Tippers and brought on the Barber and United were denied another cast iron penalty, when defender Moan, took the legs from Young Matty, as the young striker was bearing down on goal.

From another forceful run by Owen Kane, with 2 mins to go, he went down injured and had to to be replaced with Thommo. As we approached added time, Arnie finally acted and sent Moan off, after he had fouled young Matty, right where we were standing and Omar pointed to the dressing room, knowing that it was a second yellow card for the Point defender and fully justified, despite the players  protests.

United duly played out the remainder of the game against the ten men and they had triumphed at the Point ground for the first time after four attempts. In the process they had preserved their unbeaten record and now they are unbeaten in seven games, but there's sterner tests to come next month, starting with the home match against the  champions, next Saturday, but lets worry about that game when it comes, onwards and upwards, come on Sky Blues!

New Hero!

 Dwayne (8), T Kane, (8), Paddy Mac (7), Kyley (7) , Captain Jimer (7) (Sub; Steeky 46mins 7), Barber (7), Thommo (8), Ferguson (7) (Sub Taggart 46mins 6), Cush (8) (Sub: Faulkner 62mins 6), Maggers (8), Darhen (7). Subs (not used): JT, O. Kane,

Man of match:  Maggers (Mark Magennis)

Referee: Ross Dunlop 8

The Sky Blues seemed to have found a new hero in Mark Magennis, hereafter called Maggers. Maggers, made his full debut against the minnows of Glebe Rangers, who hail from the Ballymoney area, in this County Antrim Shield tie last night. United manager Spike, rang the changes to his starting line-up of last Saturday, in fact only 3 players who played in that game started against Glebe.

To my surprise, Dwayne, was preferred to Alan Blaney, I foolishly thought that it would have been a good game to give Blayney, a run out. But Glenn, in his wisdom thought otherwise, maybe Alan's injured or lacking confidence, anyway Dwayne was between the sticks. The whole back four was changed except for captain Jimer, with Spike's decision to not bring Rodger across and rest JT and the one game automatic ban of Mike Ruddy, after his sending-off on Saturday.

Tony, came in at rightback allowing Captain Jimer, to move to leftback and Kyley partnered Paddy Mac, in the centre of defence. With Jenks, staying in Scotland and Faulkner and Owen Kane rested, only Cush, survived the midfield cull. The Barber, M. Ferguson and Thommo, made up the rest of the midfield and Maggers partnered Darhen, up front. We, at 'Sport, had,urged Fergie to pick a strong team to do battle with Glebe, but he ignored us, but we are only keyboard warriors after all.

In the end he was justified, but after 15 mins I was thinking it was going to be a repeat of the Moyola game, where we dominated possession in the first half but couldn't score. United had a chance early on when Maggers, played in Jimer, but the Captain's shot was blocked and went for a corner. Paddy Mac, shot wide from this corner and Glebe had their first attack and shot, which Dwayne saved easily.

With nearly 20 mins gone United won a corner and Paddy Mac, headed them into the lead, with a crisp header. Two mins later, Dwayne, came out for a high ball and fumbled it, with Tony coming to his rescue, clearing the ball and saving Dwayne's embarrassment at the same time, it could've been a costly mistake. From a free-kick to the visitors, United broke quickly and Tony found Jimer, with a gem of a pass and with only the keeper to beat, the Captain shot feebly at the Glebe keeper.

With 27 mins gone United got their second goal as that man Cush, crossed and the Barber glanced a header in for his first goal of this season. That should have steadied United down, but to the juniors credit they subjected us to a bit of pressure, forcing two corners in succession. But as so often happens in football, United sealed the tie after 33 mins when, Cush, beat his man and crossed for the unmarked Darhen, to slide the ball into the net, to make the score, 3-0.

Glebe almost reduced the deficit near halftime, when their best player, McDowell, tried an audacious shot from near the halfway line, when he spotted Dwayne off his line and caused the United keeper an anxious moment, but luckily it just missed the target, the fans in the home stand applauded this shot sportingly and with a sense of relief no doubt. Referee Ross Dunlop brought the half to a close, when United's Matthew Ferguson, went down injured and needed treatment.

2nd half
Fergie, rang the changes at the start of the 2nd period, taking off Captain Jimer and his son, Matthew and bringing on Steeky and Gavin. Now we only had two players on the pitch that started the game on Saturday, namely Dwayne and Cush, I honestly didn't see who picked up the Captain's armband, it may have been Thommo. Maggers, was involved in everything good in this half and he broke into the penalty box on two occasions, firstly he failed to get a shot in and seemed to dislocate his finger in the process.

He could be seen pulling at his finger and grimacing in obvious pain, but he didn't come off to get treatment. The second time he managed to get a shot in, but it was wide, but he renewed his efforts, a real man among men. Glebe then came close when a McDowell free kick was headed over. Maggers, had a chance himself, but he passed to Thommo and although his first shot was blocked by the keeper and the rebound was blocked also, Thommo was able to force the ball home to make the score, 4-0.

Two mins later, the Barber burst down the wing and from his cross Cush, tapped in to make the score, 5-0 to the Sky Blues. That proved to be Cush's last action in the match as he was subbed, with Faulkner, taking his place with less than 30 mins to play. I don't know if Tony and the Barber, were following orders, but they swapped positions during the remainder of the game. I suppose it could be Spike, trying out the possibility of Tony, playing right-midfield, which is a problem position for us.

Darhen, came close, but the keeper used his legs to prevent the Bushmills man getting his second goal of the night. Gavin, bleanged the ball over the bar, instead of working the keeper and at the other end he nearly sold the ranch when a careless pass set up a Glebe attack. But Dwayne, was in a determined mood and he not only stopped the shot, but he gathered the loose ball with a forward bearing down on him.

From a corner at the other end Tony, was denied by the woodwork, when his overhead-kick hit the post with the keeper beaten all ends up. In a rare attack, Dwayne came out of his goals to smother the ball at an attackers feet, determined to keep a clean sheet. The game, which had been played in a sporting spirit came to a close shortly after this, with both teams applauded off and the ref never put a foot wrong for the first time, this season and no bookings, I was mightily relieved onward to the next round and another home draw, I hope!

Justice Done!

 Dwayne (8), Captain Jimer (7), Ruddy (6), JT (6), Rodger (7), Faulkner (6) (Sub: Magennis 62mins 6), Jenks (6), O.Kane (6), Cush (7), Tippers (5) (Sub: Darhen 71mins 6), Matty (6) (Sub: Thommo 77mins 6).

Man of the match: Dwayne Nelson

Referee: 5

My headline today has nothing to do with United getting a deserved point, its to do with the Ducks, wasting time at every opportunity. I think it was poetic justice, when from a corner, on-loan signing Gareth Rodger, swept the ball home from close range and made sure of a point for United. In an ironic twist of fate they could have stolen all three points, from a twice taken free-kick, but it would have been like rubbing salt in the wound.

That United were still in the game owes much to the goalkeeping of Dwayne, when he pulled off some saves, but he could do very little about the Ducks goal as his defenders dallied and dithered and allowed Ducks player McCrudden a free shot, which he buried in the goal. In a last ditch attempt to get something from the match, Dwayne came up for a corner deep in added time and his presence seemed to upset the Ducks defenders and Rodger was on hand to blast the ball into the net, to give United an unlikely point.

Young Matty, fresh from his trial at Crystal Palace, seemed a shadow of himself and he was well marshalled by the Ducks defenders. Tippers, who scored a hat-trick of penalties last week, was a virtual passenger and should have been substituted long before he was. Mark Magennis, made his long awaited debut from the bench after an hour, but he seemed unfit and will need a couple of games to get used to the pace, week-in and week-out.

The whole United team, the one exception being Dwayne, were like a side lacking form as they struggled to get a foothold in the game. I feel I must say a word about Willie Faulkner here, I honestly don't know what he brings to the team. Take yesterday's game for example, he wasted two free-kicks trying to play clever balls to Owen Kane, who promptly lost possession leaving our two central defenders stranded in the opposition penalty area, luckily the Ducks couldn't take advantage, but it was a close run thing.

He hit crosses too hard or simply lost possession, when well placed and it no surprise to me when Glenn, took him off. But to bring on Magennis, who is a central-midfielder, was foolhardy in the extreme, when the situation called for a Neil Gawley, who wasn't on the bench, or even a Tony Kane, who was to get to the byline and get crosses in. But we continued to probe down the middle and inevitably come up against the rock hard Ducks defence.

The Ducks were the better team in the first -half, as we were caught in possession too many times, but the match sprung to life after 34 mins, when United's Mike Ruddy was adjudged to have went in over the top, a mistimed tackle, on Ducks player McCabe, who lashed out with his foot in retaliation at Ruddy's head, a despicable act which should draw a heavy suspension when the IFA disciplinary committee meet. The ref, Evan Boyce, sent both players off and Ruddy could be seen running down the tunnel, no doubt to confront McCabe.

Before the game could restart, a Ducks sub, was yellow-carded, for allegedly gesturing to the United crowd. I admit I was alarmed to see, the Ducks supporters in a section of our stand, for I firmly believe that is an unsavoury incident waiting to happen, but luckily we got away with it this time. United went 3 at the back in the absence of Ruddy and the game continued to halftime without any score.

But not without incident as young Matty chased a through ball only to flagged offside and Ducks keeper Alvin Rouse, came out with his feet up to grab the ball and pole-axed young Matty in the process. I wondered what the ref would do about this incident as the game was already stopped for the offside, but he took no action and young Matty was okay after treatment. There was much to talk about at halftime, this incident and the sending-offs. Was the ref correct in showing both players red cards, in bygone days only the retaliater got sent-off, but these are enlightened times.


2nd half
United continued to serve up the same unattractive football, but Cush managed to get a shot in, although it was easily dealt with by Rouse. Then disaster struck United when JT went on a run and lost the ball and the Ducks managed to keep possession and McCrudden got a bit of space to beat Dwayne with a crisp shot to give his team the lead,1-0. United almost got back on terms, but Young Matty's header from a Cush cross was tipped over the bar by Rouse.

Tippers then had a chance, but his shot from a tight angle seemed to be tipped over by Rouse, but the ref and Lino gave a goal-kick. Tippers was subbed soon afterwards, with Darhen coming on, like for like and 6 mins later young Matty went off to be replaced by Thommo. A Cush shot hit the bar, with Rouse beaten and from a corner, the ref blew up for a foul on the keeper, who miked it and wasted time in the process.

After that Rouse hobbled about and called for a defender to take the goal-kicks, wasting a bit more time, but ref took no action. Cush, had us on our feet, when Rouse made a marvellous save at the expense of a corner, from a thunderbolt hit by United's talisman which looked to be going in the top corner, before Rouse's intervention. So to stoppage time and the Ducks continued to waste it making the 4 mins added on into 6 mins actually.

The Sky Blues won a corner and Dwayne trotted up and  Cush took it and it fell to Rodger at the far post and he blasted the ball into the net to draw United level. It was a point we scarcely deserved, but that's football as they say. We nearly snatched the three points, as we won a free-kick and someone handled in the wall and the second time it was taken we couldn't find the target and the match ended all square. Next up for United is a County Antrim Shield first round game against Glebe Rangers, I only hope we are up for this game and we don't need extra-time or penalties to decide it, COSB!

Speedy Shevlin!

Dwayne (8), Tony (8), JT (7), Captain Jimer (8), Ruddy (8) (Sub: Kyley 82mins, 7,), Faulkner (7) (Sub: Thommo 81 mins 7,), O. Kane (8), Jenks (7), Cush (8), Matty (8), Tippers (8) (Sub: Darhen 86mins 7,),. Subs (not used): Ferguson, Magennis.

Man of the match: Matty Shevlin

Referee: Tim Marshall 7

I can't remember the last time we scored six goals in a League game, let alone against a top team like Chickenville. I had a look at the TV highlights and the only one of the three penalty decisions that was doubtful was the last one, the other two were stonewall penalties and how former United player Johnny Flynn, escaped a booking I don't know, when he manhandled Matty to the ground, surely a yellow card was mandatory if not a red. United Captain Jimer, got sent off twice this season for less, but maybe Tim 'nice but dim' Marshall, thought the penalty was punishment enough.

The United manager made one change from his starting line-up of last Saturday, the restored Tony, for the injured Rodger. Tony fitted right in, as if he never been away and Captain Jimer, slotted in at sweeper alongside JT. Honours were pretty even during the opening exchanges and a Cush shot from 30 yards fizzed past keeper Burke's left post. After 15 mins, the speedy Shevlin, surprised Burke, by shooting rather than crossing, but his effort struck the post and bounced away for a goal-kick, a lucky let-off for the visitors.

Ten mins later it was the visitors turn to be unlucky, when after Dwayne had parried a shot from Garret, two mins later Donnelly's header came back of the bar. As so often happens in football and five mins after Bonner of Chickenville had been booked for a heavy challenge, Owen's Kane's forceful run and shot was blocked, the rebound fell to Matty and he was rugby tackled by Flynn, who miraculously escaped a booking, but rightfully conceded a penalty.

The Chickenville players surrounded the referee and when all the commotion died down, Tippers, stepped up and his hesitation in his run up fooled Burke and he dived to his right and Tippers gratefully put his shot in the left corner of Burke's goal to give United a one goal lead. McDaid was booked for a late tackle, three mins later and Curran four mins after that. With the Reds trying to get back on level terms, I was disappointed to see the ref had added on 3 mins of stoppage time, but it proved to be Chickenville's undoing in the end.

They had been taking chances, playing the ball back to their keeper and hadn't learnt from a several close shaves but they learned to their cost when the 3 mins was almost up. Fullback Bonner chose to play the ball back to his keeper when under pressure from Matty, instead of hitting it into touch which would have been the sensible thing. Quick as a flash, Matty chased the ball and robbed the keeper, who scythed him down leaving the ref no option but to wield the red card and to award United their second penalty of the game.

The Chickenville players were up in arms at this turn of events, all of their own making it has to said and how Tim didn't book more of them beggars belief. Defender Seydak, took on the keepers mantle and although he guessed the right way he couldn't stop Tippers fiercely hit shot and his first task was to pick the ball out of the net. Seconds later the ref blew his whistle and the teams went off to rapturous applause from the home support. I literally couldn't wait for the 2nd half, as I was anticipating a first league victory  over Chickenville for about four seasons.

2nd half
United came out for the 2nd half, as if they thought the job was done, but the Reds had other ideas and they conjured up a goal 4 mins after the restart, when we were chasing shadows. There seemed little danger as Garret was forced wide, but he managed to get a cross in to the far post and Curran stole in to head past the stranded Dwayne and reduce the leeway and set the cat among the pigeons, so to speak. Seven mins later, Cush chested the ball down and beat the stand-in keeper, Seydak, with a crisp left-foot shot from fully 25 yards, to restore United's two goal advantage.

Three mins later, Kieran Murray, ex-Larne player who had been on Spike's, radar came on and he was involved in an unsavoury incident with Mike Ruddy, when he dived in the box trying to win a penalty, when he was not touched and Tim booked him for his trouble. We had, had a lucky let-off, players like that we don't need, that has no part in the game and the sooner it is stamped out the better in my view. Captain Jimer, had been booked for his first foul in the first half and Faulkner, had followed into the book after 52 mins.

Mike Ruddy became United's third player to be booked when he went down under challenge from, Donnelly, who was also booked, during a break in play. I don't honestly know what happened, but I could see Mike, protesting his innocence, but he got booked anyway. But he didn't let it affect him and he proved this when he spotted Seydak off his line and scored with aplomb to make the score 4-1. United had missed further chances to run up a big score, through firstly Jenks and through Matty, as he headed a gem of cross from Cush, past with the goal at his mercy.

Our manager decided to ring the changes and Faulkner was replaced by Thommo and then Ruddy came off to a standing ovation, led by Omar, to be replaced by Kyley, with Jimer moving to leftback. A minute later. Jimer was on hand when Seydak, parried a shot from Matty and Jimer scored with a shot from six-yards to make the score 5-1 to the Sky Blues. The scoring was complete, when Bonner was adjudged to have fouled Matty, before getting a touch to the ball and Tippers, stepped up to send Seydak, the wrong way and complete his hat-trick.

That was Tippers, last action in the game and Darhen, replaced him with 4 mins of normal time to go and Tippers, came off to a standing ovation and rightly so in my book. i can't remember anyone scoring a hat-trick of penalties, it's unique and fully deserved for a man in the twilight of his career, long may he continue. United spurned further chances to add to their score, but we decided to settle for six and it was nice to see the Chickenville supporters sneaking out of the ground and we enjoyed the moment of pure joy when the final whistle sounded. Bring on the Ducks, we've slaughtered the Chickens, its the Ducks turn next week!

United Matthews!

Nelson (8), Captain Jimer (8), Ruddy(8), JT (8), Rodger (7) (Sub: Thommo 73mins 6), Faulkner (8), O. Kane (7), Jenkins (6) (Sub: Ferguson 83mins 6), Cushley (7) (Sub: Leroy 90mins 6), Tippers (8), Matty(8). Subs (not used): Darboy, Hanley.

Man of the match:  Captain Jimer

Referee: Heth (Hetherington) 5

The two Matthews, veteran Tippers and the young pretender Matty (Shevlin), were the heroes in this surprising victory at the Oval, against Glentoran. They scored the goals, but the architect of both their goals, was returning captain Jimer, who supplied the telling passes which set up the scores. All in all, United manager Spike, made three changes to his starting line-up, of last Tuesday night's encounter with Moyola.

With Captain Jimer, returning to rightback, Owen Kane slotted in, to midfield, at the expense of another Matthew, the manager son, Matthew Ferguson. Nathan Hanley made way for the fit again Mike Ruddy and young Matty Shevlin replaced, Darhen. United started brightly but after the home teams first attack, they fell behind to Curtis Allen goal. From the initial corner, the United defence failed to stop the second cross coming in and they paid the penalty.

The cross was played over to the near post, was won by a home player and McAlorum headed against the post and it fell to Allen and he side-footed the ball home. Not one of the United defenders had got a touch of the ball, from the moment the corner was initially cleared and they paid the price. But they replied a moment later, when Captain Jimer, broke from his own half and found young Matty on the edge of the area and he outfoxed his marker, rounded the Glens keeper, Hodge and planted the ball in the back of the net.

The crowd were ecstatic and United started to stroke the ball about with confidence and Owen Kane after a great run, released Tippers, who failed to work Hodge,. a chance gone begging. The lino at the Ballymena side of the ground missed a blatant offside, when he seemed to think he was playing the man on, but the United defence survived this scare. They survived another scare, when from a Glens attack, Gareth Rodger, headed the ball out for a corner, despite Dwayne clearly calling, keepers ball.

With half an hour gone, Cush fed young Matty in the centre, he had two defenders to deal with, but he cleverly played in Faulkner, but Willie, delayed his shot and Hodge was able able to smother the ball, a chance lost. Near halftime United managed to get their noses in front, when Captain Jimer initially lost the ball, but he pursued his opponent and won the ball back again, before feeding Tippers on the right and his angled shot nestled in the corner of the net to give United the lead,2-1.

It was Tippers first goal of the season, he was United's leading scorer last season with 20 goals and it was great to see him get off the mark after six league games, many more to come we hope. United were playing with confidence as they piled on the pressure on the home team's slip-shod defending, no doubt remembering last season's 4-0 drubbing at the Oval and determined to make their presence felt this time around.Tippers, missed a glorious chance when he was found in the edge of the box, but he blasted the ball high over the bar.

2nd half
United could have gone further ahead 10 mins into the second-half, when after an initial run by Cush, when he shrugged off his markers, he fed young Matty in the penalty area. Hodge, the Glens keeper, parried Matty's shot and presented him with it once again, but with the goal at his mercy, Matty hurried his shot and missed the target, as he was off-balance. JT had been booked for a foul on Curtis Allen in the 48 minute and Allen, had to come off to be replaced with Scullion, who used to be a scum player.

Despite several tasty tackles by the home players, ref Heth, unsurprisingly failed to flourish the yellow card, that was reserved solely for United players. United spurned another chance to get the insurance goal, when Matty used his pace but instead of cutting in, he fed Faulkner on the edge of the box. Willie, tried to be subtle, but side-footed his effort wide, instead of blasting it as we were urging him to do. United were in control at this stage and Tippers, missed a simple chance when he dispossessed a Glens defender, but he tried to lob Hodge and the keeper saved easily.

Young Matty was screaming for a pass, but Tippers, like the striker he is, decided to go on his own. As United were about to make a substitution, disaster struck for them as Rodger pulled up with an injury and had to subbed, Thommo coming on in his place. This caused a reshuffle in the United back four as Captain Jimer, took Rodger's place and Owen Kane, dropped to rightback. United's benevolence in front of goal almost back to haunt them when Glens player Holland, was claiming a foul when tackled by JT in the area, but for once Heth was unmoved, a lucky let-off.

Three mins later United tied up the points up, when after a neat bit of play by Tippers on the by-line, he fed Willie and he showed how it should be done by beating Hodge from 8 yards. He celebrated his first goal as a Sky Blue, by jumping onto the fence at the back of the goal and ref Heth, applying the letter of the law, booked him for it. Our manager decided to ring the changes, as his son Matty Ferguson replaced Jenks and then at 90 mins, Cush was replaced by Leroy (Millar),. Despite 3 mins of added time, United held out for a famous victory, their first of this season, I only hope they build on it!

Genius Glenn!

Nelson (7), O. Kane (7), Hanley (6), Rodger (7), JT (8), Ferguson (6) (Sub Gawley 79mins 6,), Faulkner (6), Tippers (5) (sub Shevlin 65mins 8,), Darhen (6) (sub Millar 99mins 7,), Jenks (6), Cush (7), Subs (not used): McNally, Quigg.

Man of the match: JT

Referee: A. Burns 4

United manager Glenn 'Spike' Ferguson, proved he has at the Midas touch, by making two substitutions, one of them in extra-time, as his team got into the next round of the JBE sponsored league cup. Not only that, but he removed his number one strike force of Tippers and Darhen to make room for them, a bold move if I ever saw one. Firstly he brought on goal-scoring youngster, Matty (Shevlin), for the veteran Tippers, 20 mins into the 2nd half.

Then in the first period of extra-time, he subbed his other striker, Darhen, with the exciting prospect that is Leroy Millar and they delivered the goods, with Matty scoring two goals. Sandwiched between Matty's two goals, Owen Kane, playing in place of United's suspended, Captain Jimer, scoring a stunner with the outside of right foot, which beat the keeper all ends up. The United manager made four changes in all, three of them to his defence.

Out went the suspended Jimer, the injured Ruddy and Kyley and in came Owen Kane, JT and Hanley. The youngster, Matty, dropped down to the bench and Darhen got a rare start. United started brightly, playing some delightful football, but no finish. When they did manage to get in a shot at goal, they found Moyola's keeper, Farniok, hereafter called Farn, in top form as he pulled off save after save to frustrate the Sky Blues and keep his team in the tie.

The three officials sounding like a team of solicitors, Burns (ref), Wilson & Grabowski, controlled the game like any officials, really badly. It wasn't by any means a dirty match, but nevertheless, they were some tasty tackles and Cush was lucky, as he late tackled on a few occasions, but the ref wasn't going to book anyone in the first half. The United defence, superbly marshalled by JT, was hardly troubled early on and young Owen Kane, was having a good debut at rightback, but the hosts started to come into it near halftime.

But United survived and kept a clean sheet for only the second time this season in the first-half, the other time being in an away tie to Dungannon Swifts. Would we see Fergie make a change at halftime we wondered, it was obvious to us spectators that we needed to make a change, but not to our management, they decided to keep the same personnel on and United were out first out to do battle again in the second period, nervous or what?

2nd half
Disaster struck for United just 3 mins into this half, when Hanley, was beaten for pace by Chris Dowie, who broke into the box and he tackled him from behind, Dowie went down like a ton of bricks and the ref pointed to the spot and booked Nathan, for good measure. Not like last Friday's borderline decision, when United Captain Jimer was adjudged to have fouled and was subsequently sent-off, this was a definite penalty and Nathan deserved to be yellow carded.

Dowie, picked himself up and Dwayne was decidedly unlucky when he stopped the penalty, but could do nothing about Dowie's, follow up shot, to give the home team a 1-0 lead. United were up against now and Fergie got young Matty stripped and ready for action. But as usual it took some time to get him on, but eventually he came on, to replace Tippers, with 25 mins to go. At last we started to look menacing and ten mins after Matty came on, United conjuring up an equaliser.

But it took a bit of skill from defender, JT, to open up the home teams defence, when he went on a mazy run, deep in his own half and when his shot was blocked, Cush beat Farn, the ball finding the net via the post. Surely I thought United would up the pace and get an insurance goal and get into the next round, without having to endure extra-time and the dreaded penalty shoot-out. As if reading my thoughts, Glen took off his son, Matty and brought on the 'barber', Gawley.

The Barber was soon in the thick of the action, when his long-throw caused panic in the home defence, but United couldn't apply the finishing touch. The home weren't out of it by any means and they won a free-kick in a dangerous position, but the United defence survived. But we under the cosh, as the home team made one last ditch effort to clinch the tie in the 90 mins, but United held on and Moyola missed another glorious chance, when with last action of the half, they missed with a free header, from a corner, when the United defence were at sixes and sevens.

Extra-time:
United's superior fitness seen them through in the first period of extra-time, but not before Midas Fergie, made a telling substitution. He took off Darhen, who had missed with a header with over an hour gone, the ball striking the bar, when it looked easier to score and brought on Leroy Millar. This sub was made in the 99th minute and 2 mins later in a flowing move, Leroy fed his pal Matty and he gave Farn no chance from inside the box, to give United a 2-1 lead.

A minute or so later, Owen Kane, went on a mazy run, like JT had done earlier, cut inside and from 25 yards curled a right-foot shot beyond Farn to make the score 3-1 in United's favour. What a way to open your Sky Blue account, Sammy said and I had to agree with him, it was a magic goal, reminiscent of one Dessie Loughrey scored against Carrick Rangers all those years ago and there was no cameras to record this goal forever more, just like Dessie's.

Barely a minute later, a Moyola defender presented the ball to Matty and the youngster said thank-you very much and proceeded to slot in United's 4th goal and leave the hosts with a mountain to climb, the task proved impossible for them. But credit to them they kept on trying and United were content to play out the remainder of extra-time and not let them get a sniff of goal. The damage had been done in a 4 minute spell in the first period of extra, but boy weren't we put through the wringer, bring on the Glens and 'Come on Sky Blues'!