Clinical United!

Dwayne (8), Jimer (8), Kyley (8), JT (8), Ruddy (8), Faulkner (8), Tony (8), Gavin (8), Barber (8) ( Sub: Millar 85mins 7), Jenks (8), Cushley (8). Subs not used: Maggers, O. Kane, Steeky and Matty.

Man of the match: Kyley

Referee: Andy Davey 4


What a difference 10 days make as the Sky Blues, so benevolent in front of goal at Mourneview Park, against Glenavon, on Saturday 17 October, were so clinical in front of goal last night at Seaview.  It should been more and I'd love to see what United had a goal disallowed for, when home player Robinson headed past the Crues keeper, Ogre O'Neil. The ref, Andy Davey, not only gave Crues a free-kick, but yellow carded United player Jenks, for good measure.

The floodlights at Seaview are a joke and there seemed to be only half of them on, which doesn't add to the enjoyment, when you have to skelly to see what's happening. United must have come to terms with playing on the 3g surface that is Seaview, for they coped well with the conditions, none more so than Kyley, as he marshalled Chicken Owens, superbly, thereby snuffing out the Crues danger-man.

But it was all-round performance from the Sky Blues and everybody played their part, including Dwayne, who kept a clean sheet for the second game running. United manager Spike, made three changes from his starting line-up of last Saturday, two forced upon him with Tippers, one game ban for his sending-off last Saturday and Thommo who had to come off injured in that game also.  He recalled Ruddy at leftback and that in turn released Captain Jimer to rightback.

 Tony, moved to centre-midfield with Gavin, recalled also as his partner and the Barber got a rare start, as young Matty, dropped down to the subs bench. As forecast in Sky Blue Sport Spike, decided to go with no recognised strikers with Cush and Jenks upfront and it worked a treat, as it seemed to unsettle the Crues defenders to my way of thinking. Darhen, didn't even make the bench, which was made up of young Matty, Owen Kane, Maggers, Leroy Millar and Steeky.

United started at a whirlwind pace and Cush had shot diverted round the post by Ogre, after barely a minute had elapsed. With United attacking the Railway end, I could barely see the far goalmouth, the floodlights are so abysmal, so I don't know if it was a real chance or not. We won two corners in quick succession, but the Crues survived, but only just. Little was seen of the Crues as an attacking force, then they won a fortuitous free-kick, but it came to nothing.

With ten mins on the clock, Cush played in Jenks, but the big Scot, shot hurriedly and bleanged it over the bar, instead of picking his spot or troubling Ogre. With a quarter an hour gone, the Crues almost snatched the lead, when Owens, beat Kyley to a high ball and headed down for Heatley, but Dwayne saved Heatley's shot and hurt himself as he collided with the goalpost. Luckily he was able to continue after treatment as we don't carry a keeper on  our subs bench.

Crues tried to gain a foothold in the match, but were frustrated by the no-nonsense defending of the Sky Blues and a wee bit of luck, when JT managed to get his head to a goal-bound shot from Burns, to divert it for a corner. With half an hour gone, Cush, sent a half-volley from 30 yards in on goal and it thundered off the underside of the bar with Ogre, standing transfixed. The rebound fell to Jenks, but Crues defender, Coates, blocked Jenks shot for goal.

Then Tony tried a shot from distance, but Ogre saved easily, although the ball fell from his grasp, but no United man was anywhere near and he recovered the ball. Chicken Owens missed a glorious chance to give his team the lead, when Dwayne parried a shot from Heatley, which fell kindly into Owens path, but he missed the target from inside the box. Five mins later United made the Crues pay for this benevolence in front of goal, when Jenks was played through the middle.

Crues defender Robinson, got back to head back to Ogre, but unknowing to him, Ogre, had left his goal and the ball sailed into the empty net, but the ref disallowed the goal and booked Jenks in the process. I think Jenks, was the innocent party in this incident and Ogre, crashed into his own man and he had to be substituted as he was unable to continue. But the ref thought otherwise and disallowed the goal, certainly a miscarriage of justice in my book.

This stroke of luck seemed to give the Crues a bit of impetus and with the aid of the ref, pulling United up for ghost fouls, they subjected us to some pressure. But United survived this scare and went in at halftime feeling cheated as the ref had disallowed a perfectly good goal and Jenks, was booked, wrongly to my way of thinking, but the ref is boss and he controls the game as he sees fit, but it still left a bad taste in my mouth.

2nd half
The game had been late of starting and the first half was over about 8-33 and the Crues, as befits a team outplayed as they were in the first-half, were back out  a good five mins before United came back out. United were fast out the blocks again and Jenks was ruled offside, but he seemed to be in his own half when the ball was played to him. Then Crues had a chance, but the Chicken headed straight to Dwayne, who saved easily.

Ten mins into this half United took the lead, when after Cush, had lost the ball initially, two United former players, Craig McClean and Ogre, combined to set up the chance. McClean, under pressure from the Barber decided to play the ball to Ogre, on the left flank. Ogre ballooned the ball up in the air and Cush shrugged off his marker and planted a right-foot shot in the empty net to give United a 1-0 lead.

The United fans were delirious and even Omar managed to touch Cush's hand as he celebrated with his adoring fans as he ran along the touchline. Five mins later, Tony, picked the ball up about 25 yards out and gave Ogre, no chance with a screamer, a contender for the goal of season and doubled United's  lead,2-0. JT, was booked for a foul on Mitchell of Crues who had to be replaced by Snoddy. Dwayne got down well to save from this free-kick and Snoddy, headed past the post from a corner 2 mins later.

Tony, then tried to curl another shot past Ogre, but it was not as good as his goal and Ogre, saved easily. O'Carroll, was replaced by Forsyth, who won a corner, but the United defence stood firm. Despite a lot of pressure our players held held out and Spike, brought on Leroy, for the Barber, with 6 mins to go. It seemed a brave move, with the Crues chasing the game, but Leroy repaid the gaffers faith in him near the end.

As Leroy picked ran to a pass in his own half  after 89 mins, he sprinted up the left wing and supplied a sublime cross which Tony, side-footed into the net, only to have the Lino rule it out for offside. I fail see how Tony, could be offside, for he was behind the play and Leroy's  pass was square and on the money. Try as they might the Crues could not breech the United defence and the referee's whistle brought rapturous applause from the Sky Blue faithful, we had slain the Lion in its den, bring on the 'gers!

Beautiful Timing

Dwayne (8), Tony (8), Kyley (8), JT (8), Jimer (7), Faulkner (5) (Sub: Ruddy 61mins 7,), Thommo (6) (Sub Taggart 35mins 7), Jenks (6), Cush (8), Tippers (7), Shevlin (6) (Sub Darhen 74mins 6). Subs (not used): Maggers, Barber.

Man of the match: Dwayne

Referee: Evan Boyce 3


Let me make one thing clear about my headline, its not anything to do with Cush, popping up to score the winner yesterday. It's to do with the clock and scoreboard that made its debut yesterday, situated where the old Chicken stand used to be. Our Sammy, was in his element, asking 'how long to go to halftime' and getting amusement out of Omar, who continued to consult his wrist watch. The only thing that is needed now is the time added on at the end of the 45, but that needs the referee's co-operation, to get that final piece in the jigsaw, so to speak.

Ref Evan Boyce, was a busy man yesterday, he awarded United a soft penalty when Tippers was impeded in the box and he ignored a brutal tackle by Harpur of the Swifts, on United's Tony Kane, which should brought at least a yellow card, if not a red one. In the same move, Cush, fouled a Swifts player in retaliation and Evan couldn't get the yellow card out quick enough. When Tippers lunged at Harpur in the second-half, who made a meal of the tackle, Evan showed the red card to United's leading goalscorer, without hesitation.

But in spite of Evan's biased performance, United somehow got through to claim the three points although it has to be said it was dire stuff. Conditions played their part, there was a swirling wind and the match balls, not for the first time I may add, seemed to be soft, somebody needs to get their fingers out and ensure this doesn't happen again. United were attacking their favourite end in the first-half, with the wind assisting them for the most part, but it was blowing from the far corner, at the Warden Street end to the near corner, Fisherwick end.

As forecast in Sky Blue Sport, our manager Spike, selected the same eleven as lost at Mourneview Park last Saturday. United started at a whirlwind pace (pardon the pun) and Tony flashed a ball across the box, but young Matty just failed to get his head to it. With barely ten mins gone, Dwayne, used the wind to perfection and his long clearance found Tippers, in the opposition's box. Tippers went down under a challenge, but amazingly ref Boyce, gave a penalty. Not one of the usual culprits seemed intent on taking the spot-kick and Captain Jimer stepped up to the mark.

But his weak penalty was easily saved by Coleman in the Swifts goal, making it the third penalty in four games the Sky Blues had failed to convert. Omar, so quiet usually (that's a laugh), was bemoaning the fact that Ally (Teggart), who had been our ace penalty-kick taker since Cutch left, was among the subs, but for the wrong team, the Swifts. Surely our coaches have to make finding a reliable penalty-kick taker, their main objective before we face the hatchet men at Seaview, next Tuesday, in the Toals County Antrim Shield, quarter-final.

The penalty miss seemed to spur the Swifts on and they came close with two efforts, the second one  saw Dwayne, scurrying across his goal, but it missed the target. Matty, shrugged off his marker and crossed for Tippers, but Coleman got down to save and the chance was lost. Then we had the horrendous tackle on Tony, right below the Lino eyes, that went unpunished and the booking for Cush. Five mins later, Thommo, fell heavily in making a tackle and had to be replaced, with Gavin, taking his place. Despite a series of corners, United failed to beat the first man as usual, yet another waste.

The clock was counting down, but we never saw the 4th officials holding up his board for the added time and I was surprised to hear the referees whistle and the added time never appeared on the scoreboard. Maybe you need the NIPL permission to show what time the ref has added on to proceedings, or maybe when the time is showing as elapsed you have to revert back to your wristwatch. As long as they don't bring back the egg-timer or the sun dial, I think we should be alright, we'll just have to wait on the referees interpretation of how long is left, as always.

2nd half

United could have taken the lead 8 mins into this half, but despite getting a shot in Jenks, couldn't find the target. A minute later disaster struck for United, when Tippers, went in with studs showing on Harpur (the ace villain) and was promptly sent-off  as the Swifts player seemed to be writhing in agony, but it was all bluff. United were under a bit of pressure after this and were indebted to their goalie Dwayne, who pulled the 'best save' I have ever seen, when Lowe of Swifts seemed certain to score.

Dwayne, had looked beaten, going the wrong way, but he swivelled his body sideways and produced a wonder save to keep the scores level at 0-0. That save was worth the admission price alone and kept United in the game. On the hour mark Glenn, took off Faulkner and brought on Ruddy, who slotted in at leftback, therefore releasing Captain Jimer, to rightback and Tony to right-midfield. That change heralded a new belief in United and they started to make inroads on the Swifts defence. With 15 mins left, Matty made way for Darhen and we continued to probe.

Dwayne, fumbled a cross and the Lino decided it was a corner, but we survived that scare, surely we wouldn't succumb to a late goal now. With the scoreboard time ticking away, Cush got on the end of a Ruddy, cross but could only head over the bar. With 90 mins elapsed, Tony, took a long throw-in and the ball was half cleared to Gavin and his pass was headed down by Kyley and Cush's scuffed shot found the back of the net, which brought rapturous applause from the United faithful, me included, what a relief, it was almost palatable, whatever that means, lol.

Despite the 4th official not showing us the time added on by the ref, we survived what seemed an eternity and when the ref blew his whistle everybody stood and applauded for a full three minutes or more. It was as if  we had won something, not just the three points, we had defied the odds, going down to ten men and missing  a penalty and come through with grit and determination. But no time to rest on our laurels, we have a game on Tuesday night against the reigning NIFL champions, Crues, in the Toals County Antrim Shield , I can hardly wait for it, come on Sky Blues!

Bloody Useless!

Dwayne (7), Tony (7), Kyley (7), JT (7), Jimer (7), Faulkner (5), Thommo (8) (Sub: Maggers 87mins, 6), Jenks (6), Cush (7), Tippers (6), Matty (6) (Sub: Darhen 77mins 6). Subs: (not used): Taggart, Ruddy, Gawley.

Man of the match: Thommo

Referee: D H Crangle, (2)


I make no apologies for my headline as the Sky Blues were useless when it came to converting goal chances. None more so than United's talisman, Cush, who could and should have went home with the match ball and then some. But he wasn't the only culprit, Jenks missed two sitters in the first -half and Tippers and Matty, missed another couple in the second-half. But the most depressing statistic of all was our corner-kick taking, they were also bloody useless.

We must have forced a dozen corners and except for two, we never got them past the first defender but Glenavon showed us how in the second-half when from their first corner they scored, but we should of had the points tucked safely away at that stage of the game. Why Spike, insists on selecting Faulkner, I' honestly don't know. When Tony was attacking down the right and looking for an outlet, Willie was inside, not on the wing, where you'd expect a wide player to be.

Willie, must have taken at least 8 corners and he only got two past the first defender and they were late in the game, when we were chasing the points. He played two short ones to Tony, who served up good chances but our forwards were in a benevolent mood and they refused to take them. I don't really understand Spike's change of tactics, of taking out-swinging corners, when we have Tony and Cush, two experts at dead-ball kicks and in-swinging corners, in the team.

Cush had a penalty saved by Glenavon keeper Tuffey, it was a good save, but I think Cush went for placement instead of power and the keeper guessed correctly and made a good save, but the keeper moved before the kick was taken. Oh how we miss Ally Taggart, we haven't got an ace penalty taker anymore, but Spike needs to find one and quick. United were quick out of the blocks and scored after only 12 mins, when Jenks cross to the far post was headed back across goal by Tippers, to the unmarked Cush, who headed United into the lead 1-0.

At that stage we were in the ascendency and Jenks should have scored when he got on the end of a Cush free-kick but with the left-side of Tuffeys goal at his mercy, he shot straight at the keeper. Not to be content with that, when he was presented with ball in the penalty area due to a mix-up in the hosts defence, he only could shoot straight at Tuffey once more. Little was seen of Glenavon in attack at this stage but the Lino at our side of the ground missed two blatant offsides, worrying to say the least.

With halftime approaching, Jenks pulled out of a 50/50 challenge with Kyle Neil and the he found Braniff and he found Hall on the right wing, with Bradley in a offside position. Hall bore down on goal and when Dwayne advanced he crossed to Bradley who scored and the Lino never flagged and Dick head Crangle, gave the goal much to the astonishment of the United fans. Surely if Bradley was in an offside position when the move started, he was in a offside position when he scored, but the goal stood.

Two mins later, after United had failed miserably to deal with a long throw-in, Lindsay, shot over the bar, a lucky let-off for United. Sammy, remarked at halftime, the fact that we were all over Glenavon in the first period, but yet they had got a lifeline near halftime and although the goal left a bad taste in the mouth, in that the Lino didn't flag for Bradley being offside and Neil went in studs up, which caused Jenks to pull out of the tackle at halfway, it didn't alter the fact, the hosts had pulled level with us and that we had let them get a foothold in the game.

2md half
Glenavon were quick out of the blocks at the start of the 2nd half  and D H Crangle was quick out of the blocks also, when he  yellow carded two United players in quick succession. Cush for a tackle, which paled into insignificance when compared to Neil's in the first-half, which went unpunished and Dwayne, for complaining when JT was elbowed by Bradley  and the ref did nothing and Glenavon nearly scored.

In between these two booking he also booked Neil, which added insult to injury in my mind after letting him away with that studs up challenge in the first-half. But United withstood this spell of pressure from the hosts and Tippers was unlucky to see a lob drop drop over the bar with Tuffey beaten all ends up. Thommo, who was having another good game in midfield, went on a typical run and found Cush with a gem of a cross, but with the goal at his mercy, Cush missed the target, a bad miss and one that was to cost us dear.

United continued to bombard the hosts goal and when a Matty shot was saved by an outstretched foot by Tuffey, Tippers shot the rebound for goal but it hit Kilmartin's  hand and the ref gave the penalty. I think this was a harsh decision, I've seen far more blatant penalties turned down and the Glenavon players were up in arms about this decision, so much so that Kilmartin, was yellow carded by D H Crangle. I later realised that this was all a subterfuge to ruffle the penalty-kick taker and sad to say it worked a treat.

As Tippers, had missed from the spot last time, Cush, took over the penalty kicking duties and Tuffey saved his spot-kick, so the gamesmanship had worked, bur TV replays showed Tuffey, was off his line long before the penalty kick was taken, but old D H, saw nothing and gave a corner kick, which came to nothing. Tippers, then shot straight at Tuffey and Cush had a header saved right on the line and I turned to Sammy and said that we were going to pay dearly for our benevolence in front of goal.

No sooner had I spoken these words when, Dwayne was forced into a double save from Hall and Bradley and then Spike acted and took off Matty, of all people and brought on Darhen. I couldn't for the life of me understand this sub, why take off a striker and bring on another striker. Surely if were wanting to win the game, he should have taken off Faulkner and brought on Darhen or the Barber, but he took our off one hope of unlocking the tight Glenavon defence.

Four mins later we were made to pay big time, when Glenavon won their first corner of the match and from Halls corner, Bradley was unmarked to head home past the stranded Dwayne. Two mins later it was United's turn to concede a penalty, when Patton's fierce shot struck Tony's  hand and D H gave the penalty. I thought this was harsh also, I don't think Tony was deliberately handling the ball, but we didn't do any gamesmanship, unlike Glenavon did earlier.

Dwayne, got a hand to Bradley's spot kick but he followed up to head home, but there were at least three Glenavon players in the box before the penalty was taken, but D H saw nothing, blind love-child that he is. To their credit United kept going to the bitter end and Cush was denied yet again, when Tuffey, saved with his feet when when it looked a certain goal. Thommo was subbed before the end and he seemed to take offence at some people among our fans. Maggers, replaced Thommo and he took over the corner kick taking duties, but he couldn't get past the first man, useless or what.

The game ended with Glenavon threatening to inflict further punishment on us, but we managed to survive, but only just.  At the end, Thommo, was continuing to harangue our fans and had to restrained by stewards. Sammy and me couldn't understand any of what was going on and couldn't understand some fans clapping the players off. They had played well, but they didn't take their chances and they had paid the penalty, quite literally and we were in  no mood to clap  them off, neither did we want to boo them, we just wanted to get out of there and we went home disappointed!

Defensive Blunders!

Dwayne (6), Tony (6), JT (7), Rodger (6), Jimer (7), Barber (7) (Sub: Steeky 39mins 6, Sub: Kyley 53mins 6,), Thommo (8), Jenks (6), Faulkner (6) (Sub: Darboy 86mins 6,), Cush (7), Tippers (7), Subs (not used): Maggers and Ferguson.

Man of the match: Thommo

Referee: Heth (1)


The Sky Blues, not for the first time, were undone by defensive blunders  in yesterday's game at Shamrock Park. What possessed Dwayne to come for a a corner he had no hope of getting and not to be outdone Rodger, messed up when trying to shield the ball for a goal-kick and left Ports forward McAllister, with acres of space inside our penalty area. Alas they weren't the only villains of the piece, Tony Kane and ref Heth, played their parts too.

In the absence of the suspended Ruddy and the unavailable, Matty, our manager promoted the Barber, to play wide right and Faulkner, wide left, therefore releasing Cush, to partner Tippers up front. In a defensive shake-up, Tony dropped back to rightback with Captain Jimer, replacing Ruddy, at leftback and Thommo, started in place of O. Kane alongside, Jenks. with just five mins on the clock the Ports won a corner on the left.

Dwayne, decided to come for this corner, but he was out-muscled by Ports players and Oman headed into the net to give Ports a fortuitous lead, 1-0. In the lead up to this goal, ref Heth, showed his biased nature by booking Rodger for a foul on Gault, which left the Ports player writhing in apparent agony, but it turned to be just bluff, when he got up and he ran off without discomfort, he didn't even limp, he had achieved his objective and got Rodger, booked and Heth fell for it.

United got a lifeline, when Cush, found the Barber and he scored with a left-foot shot to tie the scores at one apiece. Four mins later the United defence was broached again when Rodger, tried to shepherd the ball for a goal-kick, but slipped and McAllister, was able to cross the ball to Ports player Mackle. His initial shot came back off one of his own players, but he made no mistake at the second attempt, driving the ball high into the net, to make the score 2-1 in the Ports favour.

United tried to respond from this setback and Heth, showed his biased nature again, when he failed to book a ports Player, for a deliberate handball 20 yards from goal, which denied the Sky Blues a goalscoring opportunity. The Barber's free-kick, came back off the Ports wall, we must never work on free-kicks in training as we have no ideas, except for a shot at goal, which generally comes to nothing as either it hits the wall or is over the bar, or very occasionally we score.

When United won another free-kick, Tony, got booked for what I don't know, somebody said he tried to take the kick too early, but because of the jaundiced view at Shamrock Park, stuck 30 yards behind the goal, I honestly don't know. Two mins later, Tony accidentally came into contact with Gault's, head and he went down like a ton of bricks. I was amazed when I saw Heth, reach for the yellow card again, which meant Tony, was sent-off.

Two mins later, Gault, got up and there wasn't even a bruise on him never mind, blood, so it had been all a bluff, I admit I wasn't surprised. Our manager Spike, decided to make a change at this point, bringing on Steeky, for the Barber, therefore releasing Captain Jimer, to his more accustomed role at rightback. Thommo, who had been playing well, came into his own when we went down to ten men and his forceful runs upset the home defenders, who looked panicky.

When the 4th official held up the two mins of added time I was concerned, that we wouldn't hold out to halftime, but in fact we reduced the arrears, when Tippers, lying on the ground did enough to get the ball over the goal-line and the Linesman signalled a goal to leave the halftime score 2-2. A minute later, Heth blew his whistle and the talk at halftime was all about about Heth and his biased nature and our penchant for giving away silly goals.

2nd half

This half was mostly played in the other half of the Park, if you get my meaning as the Ports tried to make their numerical advantage pay dividends. Oh lord, that was a mouthful, I hope I've spelt it right. United managed to get occasional forays into the Ports half, but they were foiled by uncompromising tackles from the Ports players and the biased refereeing of Heth, when he pulled United for ghost fouls and astounded us with nearly all of his decisions.

Eight mins into this half, Steeky went down in our penalty, with a serious head injury, not like a Gault of Ports who was bluffing. I don't honestly know if this was a clash of heads, for it happened at the far end of the pitch, but Steeky had to come off to be replaced by Kyley and Jimer went back to leftback and Kyley, filled in at rightback. United, were under the cosh its true to say for long periods but they created one wonderful chance.

Thommo, went on another run at the Ports defence and passed to Cush and his shot was blocked by a Ports player for a corner. United were denied a cast iron penalty when a Ports defender, elbowed the ball right in front of ref Heth, but he took no notice and waved play on. Later on he showed his bias again, when the Ports took a quick free, no yellow card this time, surprise,surprise. The Ports tied up the points, when Twigg and McAllister combined and from the latters flick on, McMahon gave Dwayne, no chance from close range.

Fergie, brought on Darhen for Faulkner, with 4 mins to go, but he had no time to make an impact and we succumbed to yet another defeat, that's six defeats in this the first round of games before the split. We have scored 18 goals in that time, six of them in one game, but its the goals against column that is horrendous and needs to be addressed pronto. Fergie, will argue that we were the brunt of bad decisions by referees, but that's no excuse for bad defending.

With 27 goals against, the worst in the league, surely someone on our coaching staff has to wake up and smell the coffee or we are doomed to fighting relegation battles. With a league cup game against the free scoring Limavady United coming up on Wednesday night, we need to have everybody geared to defending as if their lives depended on it, not in a 'devil may care attitude' that we seemed to have at the minute, we got to get our collective fingers out, COSB!

Tippers Howler!

 Dwayne (7), Jimer (6), JT (6), Rodger (6), Ruddy (6) (Sub: Gawley 80 mins 6,), T Kane (7), O Kane (5) (Sub: Thompson 58 mins 7), Jenks (7), Cush (6), Matty (6), Tippers (6), (Sub: Maggers 85mins 6,). Subs (not used): Paddy Mac and Gavin.

Man of the match: Tony (Kane)

Referee: Ian McNabb: 2

United striker Tippers, had scored 3 penalties against Chickenville, but blotted his copybook against Crues yesterday, when he didn't work the keeper with his penalty, as he bleanged it over the bar, an unforgivable miss. If he had scored with his spot-kick, I fully believe we could have got something out of the game, but in the end we got nothing and it must be said, we got what we deserved, but we made the Champions sweat for their victory and that can't be all bad.

But Tippers, wasn't the only culprit, the ref, Ian McNabb, played his part too. Not only did he not book Burns of Crues, who tripped Tippers, he didn't book any Crues players and he let the 'diver' Heatley off scot-free, when he blatantly dived at least four times, when there was no contact. Our manager Spike, rightly highlighted this in an interview after the match, we had, had players sent-off for far less, never mind a yellow card.

The Crues started off at a whirlwind pace and with 3 mins on the clock, Owens dived after coming into contact with JT and incredulously, ref McNabb, gave a penalty. Contrast this when Tippers, was fouled constantly trying to get the ball and nothing was given. As usual, Dwayne, guessed the wrong way, from Healey's spot-kick and the Crues were one up. Two mins later, Mike Ruddy, fouled Heatley on the edge of the box and the ref, booked Ruddy and rightly so, it was a foul.

I thought, wrongly as it turned out, the ref is  going to keep a close eye on foul play and stamp it out, some chance! Crues players claimed that Heatley was inside the box, but luckily for us the ref gave it outside and even luckier, it came to nothing. United's first real effort on goal arrived after 10 mins when Owen Kane's sliced shot beat Ogre, in the Crues goal, but ended up in the top of the net, with Ogre, grasping at thin air.

Two mins later Matty was fouled about 25 yards from goal, no yellow card this time, surprise, surprise and Cush rolled the ball to Tony, but his shot cannoned off the Crues wall and away for a corner. Seven mins later United got a lifeline and it owed much to the Crues tactics, when JT hoisted a fifty yard pass, a real hoof ball and Jenks nodded it back across the box, where Tony, with a bicycle kick, set the ball goalwards and Jenks got the merest flick, or did he, to send on his way into the net past the transfixed Ogre.

This goal seemed to breathe new life into United and they should have taken the lead, when Burns tripped Tippers, when he was bearing down on goal. The ref gave the penalty, but incredulously he didn't flourish the red card or even add insult to injury, by issuing a yellow one. Then we had Tippers, howler, when he blasted the ball over the bar, failing to work Ogre, an horrendous miss and one that was to have repercussions on his team.

Tippers, miss seemed to breathe new life into the Crues and they pressurised our defence and Owens somehow got his head to a Mitchell cross and scored at Dwayne's near post to leave the score 2-1 in Crues favour. That was Owens, third free header, surely we had got to stop the supply if we couldn't mark him as seemed obvious. As the match inched toward halftime, we were treated to a 'diving display' by Crues, ace diver Heatley, claiming he was fouled every-time he got the ball. But the ref wasn't fooled, but he took no action to stop this display and it continued throughout the match.

2nd half
The Crues starting off the second half trying to get the insurance goal, that surely would have settled the points. First, Owens, with yet another free header, had Dwayne scrambling to his right, eventually colliding with post, as Owens header just missed the target. Then the diver, had a shot, which Dwayne saved and then Whyte got the better of Ruddy, but Dwayne saved with his legs at the expense of a corner. Then Spike, acted taking off Owen Kane and bringing on Thommo and United started to press the Crues defence.

Then the ref took a hand penalising Jenks, twice in succession, for 'ghost fouls', in other words, for nothing. Tippers, nearly atoned for his earlier miss from the penalty spot, we he got a bit of room in the penalty area, but his curling shot came back off the bar with Ogre, beaten all ends up. But United deservedly drew level, when after Ogre, could only parry a Cush shot, Thommo, was on hand to score from a tight angle. Surely we were back in the game and our manager woukld get on a tackler, Gavin or Paddy Mac, to quell the invaders.

But before he could act, Crues were back in front when Whyte, eluding two powder puff tackles from Ruddy and JT and gave Dwayne, no chance from about twelve yards. United almost got back on level terms, when Matty showed his talent by beating three defenders, but his shot cannoned off the post. Crues, made the points safe with 13 mins to go and inevitably it was from corner, when Robinson, this time, was allowed a free header and Forsythe forced the ball home.

Our manager's response was to take off Ruddy and bring on the Barber and five mins later, he took off Tippers and brought on Maggers. We continued to press for a goal, right on to the end of the 90 mins and the three mins of added time, but in spite of forcing a corner right at the death, we were frustrated by the Crues machine and if to add insult to injury, JT got booked when Heatley, took another dive with little or no contact. The referee, blew up when another United attack led to nothing and we surrendered our unbeaten record but we made them work for their victory, bring on the Ports!