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!