Match Reports

Carbon Copy!

2012-01-21T09:48:00.003Z

United 'gifted' the hatchet men a goal after the thirty seconds after a defensive mistake involving Gavin Taggart, Archie and keeper Dwayne Nelson. As if that's not bad enough, the defensive frailties highlighting in Sky Blue Sport's preview of this game, were evident in 28th minute again, when in a 'carbon' copy of a Colin Nixon goal for Glens on Tues night, Morrow from Crues was giving a 'free header' from a corner on right, with the inevitable conclusion. But a minute previous referee Burns had denied United a 'stonewall' penalty when Elvis had his legs clipped as he cut into the box and if to add insult to injury Crues broke away and Ross Black just managed to divert a cross for the corner under pressure.

Spike had made two changes, out went Baker and Ally and in came Rory Carson and on-loan Johnny Taylor, I think I'll call him J.T. It's was not hard to see what our tactics were going to be, starting 5 defenders and Gavin, whose first movement is usually back. United lost the toss (or did we elect to kick-off, I worry about some of Captain Jenks decisions, playing against the stiff breeze in the first half on Tues night was at best foolhardy). But anyway we kicked off, the ball came back to Gavin, he found Archie, he dithered and Crues David Rainey, belying his 45 years, put him under pressure, Archie who had other options available, the tenth row of the stand comes to mind, decided to try and find his keeper Dwayne. The back-pass was not good and with Rainey bearing down on him, Dwayne hit the ball against the Crues player(he could have played to touch I think) and it broke kindly for him and he gave his team the lead, although there was a suspicion of handball, the goal stood.

We were shell shocked, to concede so early and from such a mix-up left a bad taste in the mouth of the normal complacent United fans and we were on the teams back right away. Spike and the two baldies had decided on a 3,5,2 formation and it was not working but they had no control over referee Colin Burns interpretation of the rules, as he let his namesake 'Colin' Coates and Leeman get away with coming 'over the top'. Now I know this is not the easiest decision to make (I'm joking here), the culprit is one out ten times the opposing player making a 'back' for the defender, but referee Burns seemed to be of the opinion that our players were making making a 'back' for them every time. It was obvious a change would have to made, we were defending too deep and Crues almost increased their lead when Cookie was beat with a clever back-heel, but Gavin got back to tackle Dallas and the ball rebounded for a goal-kick.

Spike took off Archie and brought on Neil Lowry and we tried to get back into the match, but referee Burns was having none of it. I used to rate referees but I stopped that practice for it was a waste of time, no-one ever got above 5 out of 10 and there were quite a few twos and threes. I think if I was to start it again, there would be a quite a lot of minuses and referee Burns would be a prime candidate. How he missed the blatant trip on Elvis, he had the same view as me but he never questioned it. The Crues broke down the field and with us feeling badly done to, we didn't do our defensive job and let Morrow get a free header and suddenly we were two down. Two minutes later referee Burns turned his 'blind eye' when Cutch was floored in box, but even he couldn't 'miss' a deliberate handball from Leeman, although no card was flourished.

Despite the protests from the Crusaders players who were rightly incensed at this turn of events (I'm joking again), they had gotten away with two blatant 'penalties' before, so why not a third time. The penalty stood and the Irish league leading goalscorer Cutch was given the task of reducing the leeway. Cutch placed the ball on the spot and fans were remembering the last time he faced SO'N the former United goalkeeper and his feeble attempt was saved. But there was no worries this time, despite 'guessing' the right way SO'N was beaten all ends up. That goal came in the 39th minute and United were dominant for the rest of the half and the 3 minutes of added time which took them up to the whistle.

2nd half
United bossed the second half and in Elvis they had the best player on the field. Crues boss, Steven Mr. Ugly Baxter rung the changes taking off McKeown,Dallas and Aiden Watson, obviously with a view on next weeks Irn Bru final against the Coleraine scum. Elvis showed his box of tricks to Coates and arguably the best defender in the Irish league, Coates, couldn't deal with him. The United equaliser ten minutes into the half came about when Elvis won a corner on the left. Rory, who seemed to be our designated corner kick taker last night, took the kick and it went for another corner on the right. Rory trotted across and his corner was played back to him and he cut inside and found Cookie with a pass and his shot found the net. Cookie obviously likes to play in the Shore Road venue, two of his 3 goals this season have come against the Crues on their own pitch. The rest of the match was a catalogue of United pressure and last 'ditch' defending by the Crues.

The United attack was in the ascendency but they couldn't get the killer pass that would tell the tale. Elvis, who has yet to open his Ballymena scoring account tested SO'N when he somehow got the better of Coates and Leeman to get a shot in, but SO'N was equal to it pushing the shot over the bar. Neil Lowry, was finding a bit of space down the right and Crues fullback McBride was finding him a hot handful. Crues were not without there moments and as Gavin tidied up he was caught with an 'over the top' challenge from Crues sub Gargan and referee Burns administered the red card. I think it was a harsh decision, after all the referee ignored blatant fouls in the first half and Gargan was obviously trying to impress his manager that he was a regular 'hatchet man'. But he had to go but the Crues held out for a draw and United were obviously feeling the effects from the match on Tues night and it was taking a toll on their energy levels, bad planning to get 2 matches within three days and then no match for 11 days, how will we cope.

I must stress a point about United corners, no reflection on Rory Carson as such. The number of times I have noticed this season when we take a corner to the far post, we never position a man wide and I believe it's an opportunity missed. When many years ago and we had two wingers, when a corner was taken from one wing (inevitably an in swinger),that winger would take up a position wide on the other wing. If the ball was long he got it and if was falling short he could come in, I would like to see us use this ploy, but maybe it's too obvious, my tactical days are long past, if they ever were. The defending at throw-ins need to be worked on as well, the number of times Crues were allowed a 'free' throw last night was criminal. We managed to avoid defeat and that's no bad thing, we let in two goals which could've been avoided, but that's par for the course this season!

Nelson (6), Kane (6), Black (6), Cookie (7), J.T. (7), Archie (5)(Sub: Lowry (7), Gavin (7), Jenks (6), Rory (7), Cutch (7), Elvis (8)

Man of the match: Elvis

Home Truths!

2012-01-18T13:50:00.002Z

New United manager Spike and his team had a dose of 'home' truths last night, when Glens triumphed by 3-0 at the windy Showgrounds. The simple matter is we can't defend, not from set-pieces and not from men running at us. Sean Ward scored Glens third last night, but why was he allowed a free passage into our box, when Ross Black and Archie both had a chance to block his progress, but their 'powder-puff' tackles were totally ineffective. But the worst mistake was in letting Glens Colin Nixon have a 'free' header to Carson's corner in the 37th minute, you don't allow the deadliest man in the Irish league at set-pieces to have a 'free' header and not expect to get punished from it and we duly were.

The United defence complained bitterly that Archie had received a deliberate elbow in the events leading up to this score, but referee and linesman ignored their protests. Spike went with the same team as took the field last Saturday, but they singularly to a man didn't perform. Captain Jenks decided we would face the stiff breeze in the first half and we were decidedly lucky just to turn around one goal behind. We could hardly get the ball out of defence and when we did manage to get it going we were uncompromisingly stopped by the Glens midfield aided and abetted by referee Hetherton, who allowed them to get away with blatant body checks, while pulling our boys for misdemeanour's. When we did manage string some passes together, Jenks twice got caught in possession when he had ample time to find a man. Glens had a couple of free kicks in dangerous positions which didn't trouble our keeper and then they won another dubious one about 30 yards from our goal plumb in centre field. Stephen Carson drove the ball which was always going over the bar and Dwayne stretched to cover the angles.

Unfortunately referee Hetherton thought he got a touch and promptly gave a corner on the left. When this was taken Archie received a deliberate elbow, ignored by referee and linesman and Cookie headed it for another corner on the right. Carson took it himself and found the unmarked Nixon and he headed the Glens into the lead. Archie had to come off for treatment as the 'elbow' had dislodged one of his contact lenses, surely it's time for laser surgery. Cutch, who had been getting the rough treatment all night was fouled in the box and referee Hetherton ignored that and didn't even stop play to let the wee man get treatment. Cutch had to go off and looked like his contribution would be over, but we decided to hold out to halftime in the hope he could come back.

2nd half
Cutch was able to continue but he wasn't up his usual sharpness and despite relentless pressure from wee Sky Blues we couldn't make the vital breakthrough. Jenks had a run in to box and I thought he should have taken a pop at goal, but he passed to the normally reliable Cutch. The ball seemed to get trapped under the wee man's feet and the chance was lost. In a rare breakaway Stephen Carson deliberately elbowed Tony Kane and though referee Hetherton gave the foul, he didn't take any action. Two minutes later Carson nearly added insult to injury, when Nelson and Kane got in a tangle but he cut inside only to find the side netting. The Glens sealed the match against the run of play in 75 minutes, when Waterworth got on the end Ward's cross to put the tie beyond reach.

Former United winger Eamon Murray, who former United manager Roy Walker paid his return fare from Australia last summer, came on to put a nail in the United coffin when he fed Ward, who in turn bamboozled the United defence, before beating Nelson at a tight angle. Spike rang the changes taking off Baker and Gavin and bringing on Lowry and Rory, but United couldn't find a way back into the game. Elvis, who had led the line so well, had a stinker and with all his tricks he was largely ineffective. Ally just ghosted in and out of the game and Gavin Taggart was at best only mediocre and Kane, despite seeing a lot of the ball up the right flank, couldn't get one telling cross in and fact nearly always gave possession away to Glens. There's a lot work to be done and not much time to do in, Friday's match away to the Crues is looming, but when the going gets tough, the tough get going, at least I fervently hope so!

Nelson (6), Kane (5), Black (5), Cookie (6), Archie (5), Baker (6)(Sub: Lowry 6,), Jenks (5), Gavin (5)(Sub: Rory 6,), Ally (5), Cutch (6), Elvis (5)

Man of the match: Baker

Elvis Again!

2012-01-15T10:23:00.004Z

I can't make up my mind whether it's Ballyskeagh Elvis has a liking for, or playing Lisburn Distillery, but he's reserved his only two 'match winning' performances for this venue. The first was the opening day of the season when he tormented the Whites rearguard and United ran out 4-1 winners. Today he led the line superbly and set up United's winning goal for Ally, although I don't know whether it was a cross or a shot, that's immaterial, the point is, he delivered. Manager Spike made few changes to his starting line-up, but there were one or two surprises nonetheless. Dwayne Nelson was picked in goals, I don't know if that was a choice or Drummond was injured, but it worked.

Rory Carson, who had been turning in some good performances lately, was dropped in favour of Gavin Taggart, slated by the Sky Blue Sport's team, but he acquitted himself well today and Spike went for Elvis, in place of the suspended Sparky and changed to a 4,3,3 formation. United took the lead in the 10th minute, although there was a hint of controversy about the move, when United Captain Jenks became entangled with a Whites player (I think it was a fair shoulder charge), who was left lying on the ground and Jenks found his fellow Scotsman, Cutch. The Irish league leading scorer, Cutch, wriggled his way through the Whites defence before clipping a crisp left-foot shot which cannoned off the inside of the post on his way into the net for his 24th goal of this season. United were dominant at this stage, forcing a plethora of corners, but just couldn't get the vital touch when it mattered.

Little was seen of the home team as an attacking force and Archie kept the shackles on their prolific marksman, Gary Ligget, snuffing out any danger from that source. Elvis was like a man possessed, chasing down lost causes and I thought he had broken his scoring duck, when he fired goalwards but a defender got back to clear the ball with 'sniffer' Cutch in attendance. On yet another occasion, he crossed for Ally at the near post, but a defender got the vital touch to divert the ball for a corner. Spike and the two baldies influence are being felt already, under Roy Walker, Ally took all the corners, but yesterday when they were from the left, Cutch took them and although we didn't manage a score, they were hard to defend. Amazingly United failed to add to their tally and the home team started to come into the game near halftime and Dwayne had to be alert from a shot from distance, saving at the expense of a corner.

2nd half
United were sluggish when they came out for the second half and the home team were in the ascendency, I wonder if there's something they're putting in the tea at halftime. We couldn't clear our lines and we were subjected to a couple long throws by Hunter of the home team. The hosts got a free kick about level with our box and despite several chances to clear, the ball finally fell to the unmarked Ligget and he buried it in the net to tie the scores at 1-1. That goal came in the 53rd minute, we had let our guards down, but to our credit we came back immediately. Elvis went on a run down the right (previous manager Roy Walker tried to change Elvis's style of play, maybe Spike will give him his head), cut inside and his blocked shot fell kindly for inrushing Ally and he drove the ball into the net, reminiscent of his first goal for the Sky Blues at this venue, he obviously likes it as well.

United couldn't get the insurance goal, Cutch missed a real chance to put the game beyond doubt and there were a few anxious moments at the other end. But the defence held out and I must mention Dwayne's part in this, he was calm and he calmed his fellow defenders. The home team rang the changes and former United player David Cushley came on and he tested Dwayne with a fierce free kick, but Dwayne was equal to it, parrying the ball. Then David showed his other side needlessly fouling Jordan Baker, when the United man was going away from him and brought a yellow card. In the absence of the fourth official we were dependant on the whims of referee Turkington who found five minutes of added time from somewhere. United had only made one sub, Lowry for Elvis and the hosts had made three, which is usually 2 minutes and the two trainers (physios) had only been on the field for one minute in total, but we were subjected to at least five minutes, but United deservedly held out to the final whistle.

Nelson (8), Kane (7), Black (7), Cookie (7), Archie (8), Baker (7), Gavin (7), Jenks (7), Ally (7), Cutch (8), Elvis (8)(Sub: Lowry 7,)

Man of the match: Elvis

Cold Comfort!

2012-01-08T10:29:00.003Z

United's new manager, Spike Ferguson, was understandably down, but he nevertheless praised his team for doing the things that he had advocated in training. But the match turned on a 'home town' decision by the linesman at the Fisherwick end, when he allowed I.F A. defender Aaron Burns, not only to block the progress of United's Jordan Baker, he was to add insult to injury and penalise the United man for trying to play on and ignoring the retaliatory kick from Burns, which should have resulted in at least a caution. But the linesman was hardly likely to penalise his employers team, we just have to learn to live with that(for anyone new to the site, Linfield and the I.F.A. are the same).

From the resultant free-kick Sparky's header was driven back by Burns (who should've been enjoying an early bath by this time), took a deflection of McAllister and hit Cookie Munster's foot, before finding the net just inside of Drummond's left post and eluding the keeper's fingertips. The number of times I have heard the cry of 'lucky Linfield' over the years are too numerous to mention, but sure it's no luck when the officials ignore basic rules and worse still make them up when it suits. Spike made three changes from our starting line-up of last week, out went Dicky Vauls injured to be replaced by Ross Black. Sparky returned in place of Downey, who seemingly didn't turn up for training on Thursday night and Jenks replaced Gavin Taggart.

In our Sky Blue Sport preview we were hoping we could keep a clean sheet for at least 20 minutes but alas we were undone by the linesman and bad defending. The linesman kept his flag down when McAllister was clearly offside (but level with the linesman and that's all that matters), Ross Black failed to get a tackle on McAllister, mainly because he had a head start. Keeper Drummond had a chance to close McAllister down, but he stopped in 'no man's land' and when the ball come across Cookie allowed Thompson to get the better of him and found the empty net. The United fans were livid with the linesman and I think his parentage was called in to doubt and that was among the nicer things, but he hadn't really started to display his box of tricks.

The I.F.A. should've increased their lead when Billy Joe Burns was allowed a free poke at goal and Drummond saved well. From the keeper's resultant drop kick, Baker's back header was nodded into Jenks path by the 'goal machine', Cutch and the United Captain took on his chest before firing a left-foot shot past Addis in the Linfield goal, despite having four Linfield men in attendance, to tie the scores at 1-1. To my surprise the goal stood, I fully expected referee Hetherington to rule it out for some indiscretion but he looked at the 'fat controller' and he must have given his assent for the goal stood. From the remainder of the half United played all the football and the I.F.A. tended to to try long ball tactics which was greeting with derision by the disappointing number of Linfield fans in the Warden Street stand.

I am going stick my neck out now and say I think Irish league fans are voting with their feet and stating that they don't like this league format we have now. Given the news that Cliftonville have banned six fans (and more to follow), I fervently hope these are not the travelling fans who attend matches, otherwise their away crowd will suffer by about 15%. That's how many real fans attended a recent match at the Showgrounds (I'm not talking about the free-loaders, who get in for nothing here, but real fans). We had a big crowd of home support yesterday,I suppose it was the new management team who brought them in, but the Linfield support was paltry compared to previous years. Linfield fans used to outnumber us by 3 to 1, not anymore, more like even Steven.

I know the 'official' figures from the clubs say different, but you got to remember they're 'massaging' the figures to swell gates receipts and therefore to get round this even more ridiculous legislation we have now that says you can't pay out more than you get in, where there's a will, there's a way. I will hazard a guess and say there was 2,100 at the match yesterday, 'official' figures will probably be 10% or 15% more than that, but even so we can't pretend that this is a good format, we are just digging a hole for ourselves and the future of football in this wee country of ours.

2nd Half
The second half is really about the ridiculous decisions made by the linesman at the Fisherwick end, who when the referee blew for fulltime, wisely disappeared into the tunnel like a 'bat out of hell', rumours that he was going to prepare the Linfield team bath are as yet unsubstantiated (that's a big,big word). Then referee Hetherington revealed he was 'in on the act', when I.F.A. defender Murphy blatantly grabbed the ball as Jenks burst through, he administered a yellow card, instead of a red, although this happened near the halfway line, it was a clear goalscoring opportunity and the letter of law should have stood. Obviously the £180 he gets for officiating (£2 a minute), isn't enough, he has to cheat as well.

United were largely devoid of ideas, epitomised by Tony Kane's shot when well placed, high, wide and not so very handsome and a Ross Black free-kick against the Linfield 'wall'. When the linesman surprisingly gave United a free-kick, Murphy then had an altercation with Cookie and the Linfield man could be seen clearly lifting his hand, but the referee took no action, but called the two players over and Murphy 'playfully' slapped his face, he knew it was only idle talk. Spike rang the changes, taking off the disappointing Ally and bringing on Jamie Davidson and later bringing off Carson for Elvis. I thought we were about to see Neil Lowry, but Sparky fell awkwardly and had to come off with what appears to be an arm injury, with Gavin Taggart coming on. Cookie Munster almost 'sold the ranch' on a couple occasions, trying to be smart, instead of clearing his lines.

Ross Black delivered two in-swingers, first from a free-kick and then from a corner, which Addis in the Linfield goal plucked easily from the air, not a United man in attendance. Spike's frustration showed when he had a go at the linesman, when earlier keeping his cool despite provocation, as the linesman denied United a corner, pulling Baker for a foul which only he saw.. The highlight the half for me was the way Black dispossessed Linfield's sub Stephen Lowry in the box, when a score looked imminent, small comfort. Archie, tried a surging run, but the visitors were having none of that and closed him down. Archie, it has to be said defended stoutly and was equal to anything Rory Patterson did and it was no surprise when Patterson was subbed in the 2nd half. United had a chance to draw level when Jenks found space about 20 yards from goal but he hit his shot over the bar and the chance was lost.

Drummond (6), Kane (6), Black (7), Cookie (6), Archie (7), Carson (7)(Sub:Elvis 6,), Sparky (7)(Sub: Gavin 6,), Jenks (7), Ally (5)(Davidson 5,), Baker (6), Cutch (6)

Man of match: Archie

Point Taken!

2012-01-01T10:46:00.002Z

In Joe McCall's last game in charge United had to be content with a point, they could have taken all three, but our stand-in manager seemed to be content with the point. D.C. no doubt think they should've taken all three, they were the better team and it took some brilliant saves from United keeper Drummond to secure the point. United, not for the first time this season, were outdone by two headers from set-pieces and new manager Glenn Ferguson and his background team, of Lee Docherty and Norman Kelly, need to address this situation promptly. Joe made two changes to his starting line-up from the ill-fated Boxing day debacle, Ally for the suspended Sparky and Baker for the injured Jenks.

The linesman at the Fisherwick end was hopeless and he missed at least five blatant off-sides, including United's equalising goal, but maybe that evened the score somewhat. United were punished for slack marking at a free kick when McAlorum headed in, with fullback Tony Kane playing him on-side although that's not any excuse for the lack of marking from our other defenders. Ally Teggert, must been feeling the after effects from his knee injury,for he wasn't as effective as he has been. The linesman at the Fisherwick end kept his flag down on a couple of occasions, when the visitors had two men miles offside,I was starting to think they had changed the rule again, in that you couldn't be offside if you were level with the 'linesman'. Contrast this with the other linesman at the Farm Lodge end, he was constantly flagged for offsides. Referee Carville cautioned Gavin Taggart and proceeded to let the visitor players away with murder. In fact he warned leftback Harkness on several occasions before booking him late in the second-half and he allowed D.C. to get away with at least three deliberate handballs, without cautions.

Conor Downey was brutally tackled by McAlorum, a sending-off offence, but Carville took no action and the United player had to go off injured to be replaced with Lowry. This necessitated a change to the United formation, to a more attacking 4,3,3 reminiscent of 'manager in waiting' Spike's, Linfield days. Cutch wasn't getting any chance to unlock the visitors defence but he had a hand in United's equaliser deep into injury time. It seemed like a lost cause when he tussled with Harkness for a through ball, but the D.C. defender had to concede a corner. From Ally's pinpoint kick, Cookie got a head to the ball and it slipped through Goosie's fingers and though a defender clearly handled it on the line he couldn't prevent the goal that ensured United went in at halftime level pegging. A good referee would of booked the 'culprit' anyway for attempting to prevent a goal, but Carville is only an average referee and in this league, it's a low 'average'.

2nd half
The highlight of the halftime interval was local personality Jackie Fullerton introducing Glenn 'Spike' Ferguson and his back ground team (Sammy Patterson christened them the 'two baldies'), to the fans, the Sky Blue Sport's team wishes them well. D.C. started the second half as if they meant business and Drummond pulled of a couple of great saves to keep United in the match. When United tried break, the attack broke down at Lowry, who seemed to be trying to do the complicated thing rather than keep it simple. As so often happens in this game we call football, United, under the cosh, scored a breakaway goal and we have to thank the linesman at the Fisherwick end for his incompetence which knows no bounds. Archie went on a surging run, as he likes to do and fed Cutch near the halfway line and burst through the visitors defence too early and when Cutch played the ball Archie was clearly offside. But he was level with the linesman and that's seemingly alright and he bounded down on Goosie's goal before tucking a left-footed shot into the net.

The crowd, including me, were rapturous, but I couldn't help feeling that if Archie and Cookie, the scorers on the day, were to do their job at the other end we would have been better off. As it was the linesman at the Farm Lodge end missed another hand ball from McAllister and from his cross, Henderson got his head to the ball and Drummond pulled of a great save at the expense of a corner. From the resultant kick the United defence went asleep again and McVeigh headed the visitors level. I thought Joe would make a change now, take off Baker who was clearly struggling, but looking at the options I could see his point. The remaining subs were two defenders, Rodgers and Woods, an untried reserve midfielder, Owen Gillan and the enigma that is Elvis Costello, not much to set your pulses racing.

United conjured up a chance when Baker got to the byline and found Cutch unmarked, the wee striker usually hits them first time, but this time he took a touch and his shot was kicked off the line. Teggert picked up the rebound and fed Baker who wasted a good opportunity by hitting his shot wide. Joe finally had seen enough and Baker made way for Elvis and United created one more chance when Elvis headed the ball on for Cutch and Goosie quick as a flash dashed from his goals to block the United man, I thought this should have a penalty as the keeper never touched the ball and Cutch kept his feet but couldn't quite reach the ball to knock it in to the empty net. Not surprisingly referee Carville gave United a corner, in my estimation he's below average. The match ended in a draw, but on the plus side for United, Rory Carson looked back to his best in midfield and the keeper regained some needed confidence for the visit of Linfield next Saturday. I wonder who the I.F.A. have lined up for us next Saturday, well worry about that when the time comes, Happy New Year!

Drummond (7), Kane (6), Vauls (6), Cookie (6), Archie (6), Carson (8), Downey (6)(Sub: Lowry 5,), Taggart (6), Ally (6), Baker (6)(Sub: Elvis 6,), Cutch (6)

Man of the match: Rory Carson

Diving Bird!

2011-12-27T08:30:00.004Z

Former United player Oran Kearney, has taught his Coleraine scum players well, they're are credit to him. But unfortunately they are in the wrong sport, they should be Olympic divers and in referee Andy Hunter they had a willing accomplice. This referee had already proved to United earlier in the season he's not afraid to make up his own rules, when penalising United's Archie Stewart when the ball got stuck in his 'groin area', giving an indirect free to Linfield, instead of the usual bounce ball. He was not to be outdone yesterday, when he issued yellow cards to the scum scorers Stephen Lowry and Curtis Allen when they should've been red and was bluffed when Sparky's mistimed tackle on the diving Ciaran Clark, which should've brought a yellow card and issued a red card instead.

The histrionics of the scum player was plain to see, when he went down 'screaming like a stuck pig', you would have thought that player will never walk again. But it was all 'bluff', Sparky made no contact with the player, the intent was there and it was not 'two-footed' as was stated in reports, it was a clumsy high foot tackle and the ball was there to be won. Contrast that with Lowry's professional foul on Rory Carson when he was the last man and the referee 'reluctantly' booked him and after Allen 'butted' Cookie Munster after they had tangled. Cookie was also booked, but I thought head butting was a red card offence but obviously not in 'make the rules up as you go along' Hunter's eyes.

As we were travelling to the match we got the dreaded news on twitter, that Gavin Taggart not Ally Teggert was in the team. I hoped it was a misprint, but when I arrived at the ground my worst fears were realised, it was indeed Gavin and not Ally who on the team. Ally may have been injured or sick, 'twitter' which is a mind of pretty useless information at any-time was conspicuous by it's silence on the matter. Was it tactics by stand-in manager Joe McCall, if it was surely Ally was worth a place on the bench, but no he was in the stand. Maybe Joe was facing facts, we have been second best to the scum for a long time now, but surely he has better players at his disposal than Gavin Taggart. Gavin has messed up so many times, he's just an accident waiting to happen and he didn't disappoint yesterday.

United with strong wind at their backs started brightly but they tended to hit their passes too firm and couldn't get many clear-cut openings. The scum had obviously done their homework on our keeper's tendency to drop the odd ball, with their shoot on sight policy but Wayne, was on his game (sorry for the slight pun) and dealt comfortably with them all. The strong wind was playing havoc and it was not conductive to good football and you knew mistakes was going to play a big part in it. The home team were trying to push up and former scum player Dicky Vauls, played a ball up the line for Carson to chase. The last scum player was Stephen Lowry he took the United man out and ironically Rory I think had no chance of getting to the ball.

In these situations the referee's job is simple, he has to decide was a genuine attempt to get the ball, which it wasn't and then if isn't, it's a red card, but he decided it was yellow. But he had already failed to book Ciaran Clarke for a late tackle on Archie and chose to lecture Allen for a deliberate elbow on Cookie, 'make up the rules as you go along' was definitely living up to his name. We at 'Sport have been saying our player's are not up to standard and this was epitomised yesterday when Jenks was a virtual passenger, contributed nothing to the team, a real disappointment. Cutch tried to bend a shot but missed and then tried a left shot when he had time to pick his spot.

Ten minutes before halftime and the United midfield not doing their job Sparky decided to take a hand and go for a tackle, which luckily he missed, but that bluffer Clarke went down crying for his mammy and the referee flourished the red card. When Clarke 'trotted' off the pitch, Oran Kearney couldn't resist a 'smirk' and congratulated the player on a job well done. Then five minutes later Cookie and Allen tangled and Allen sunk his head at the United player but only saw yellow. In retrospect maybe the referee should have sent them both packing but that was never going to happen. The United midfield where Sparky was only star was decimated and it was obvious a change would have to made, well it was obvious to me and there were three candidates, Jenks, Gavin and Downey.

2nd half
First team coach Colin Sewell came out at the halftime interval and engaged sub Jordan Baker in conservation and I thought he was coming on at halftime, obvious in place of Jenks, Gavin or Downey. But United took the field with the same ten and then five minutes into the half brought on Baker for Rory Carson. Carson, I thought was having a good game, surely it should have been Jenks who was contributing nothing or Gavin or Downey. In fact I think that was the wrong move, what we needed was to strengthen the midfield by bringing say Chris Rodgers, it was still scoreless at that stage but that was about to change.

Gavin Taggart whose first move is back had a hand the goal that broke the deadlock, he had a chance to clear his lines but he chose to bring the ball across the field. He could've have passed to Kane on the touchline but he chose to pass back to Cookie. All was not lost at this stage, Cookie could have simply tried to get the ball away and not be blamed, but in a rush of blood he tried to step inside, got dispossessed by scum player Jennings, who in turn found Lowry and he beat Drummond from close range to put the scum ahead. It was a goal that should never have been, when you are down to ten men you cannot make any deliberate mistakes, you take the safety first route, kick the ball into touch for petes sake.

We were under the cosh for long spells in the second half, but it must be stated it was all our own fault, we had given the impetus to the scum by our suicide football and we were reaping the benefits. Wayne Drummond kept us in the match by some smart saves and the woodwork came to our rescue a couple of times. Curtis Allen, who should have been in the dressing room, was tormenting Archie and unlike his father Alfie, Archie was devoid of ideas to stop him, by fair means or foul. Only Allen knows how he missed with a free header which looked easier to score and he hit the crossbar with a thunderous shot, when he really should have scored.

United I thought had their best spell of attack in this phase and Cutch seemed to time his run to perfection only for the linesman's flag to go up. I would like to have seen that on replay, but Coleraine is obviously too far for the camera crews to travel at holiday time. With 15 minutes left Archie was caught out again by a ball over the top and Allen drilled a low shot from 12 yards past Drummond. Joe rang the changes taking off Downey and bringing on Neil Lowry and Jenks was replaced by Woods, but it was too little too late for we were dead and buried. I honestly didn't expect Joe to be an inspiration, but I thought he would have more savvy than this. It's an unenviable task, we have few players that are up to scratch, but Joe has been too long at the Showgrounds now not to realise that Gavin Taggart is a liability.

The interviews for the new manager are taking place this Wednesday and if any of the candidates took in this fixture they'll know what a mammoth task they are taking on. Sky Blue Sport in it's preview of this match reckoned of our back four of Vauls, Cookie, Archie and Kane, only Vauls and Cookie were good enough. Due to his tendency to implode I think Cookie is not good enough as well. With Sparky out serving a one game ban, we only have Rory and Ally, if fit, to call upon for the visit of D.C. on Saturday, Jenks, Downey and Gavin are are a liability. Baker, who come on as a sub, as usual flattered to deceive, but we have no-one else to take the weight of Cutch, who not at his best, is still is the 'best' player we have. All in all I can take little heart from this display, the referee and the diving bird sure fixed us good, but we played a part in our own destruction, in short, we shot ourself in the foot!

Drummond (7), Kane (4), Vauls (6), Cookie (4), Archie (5), Taggart (4), Downey (4)(Sub: Lowry 5,),Sparky (6), Carson (6)(Sub: Baker (5), Jenks (3)(Sub: Woods 5,), Cutch (7)

Man of the match: Wayne Drummond

New Broom!

2011-12-21T09:08:00.002Z

It is said 'a new broom sweeps clean', United showed little evidence of that at Stangmore Park last. They were disjointed, and were outplayed by the hosts and their new manager, Rodney McAree (son of Joe, who was erroneously reported in Sky Blue Sports news as being the manager), should have got off to a winning start. United's stand-in manager, Joe McCall, made two changes from the starting line-up, bringing in Cutch and Jenks at the expense of Baker, who didn't even make the bench and young starlet Neil Lowry, who did. But it was another man who made the bench, Gavin Taggart, which caused the small bunch of United fans to be saying, the same old, same old.

Dungannon should have taken the lead as early as the 6th minute when from a corner, which surprise, surprise, United didn't deal with properly, Topley found himself unmarked in the six-yard box, but luckily he blasted over the bar, with the goal at his mercy. United's ploy of playing one man up front was 'bread an butter' for the home defence. The United goal survived as the Swifts totally dominated and Topley missed another sitter and then brought a good save from Drummond. The best United could muster was a Downey shot well wide and an Archie header over the bar. In our preview of the match Sky Blue Sport's voiced their concern over the appointment of local referee Mark Courtney. The concerns were justified when he cautioned Cookie in 5 minutes for an innocuous foul and midway through the half he gave Topley a good talking to for a deliberate elbow, as biased as a bowling ball.

Tony Kane, preferred to Woods (neither of them are good enough), was having a terrible time, epitomised by one gaffe. The home team played a cross-field ball, which Tony had time to deal with, but he seemed to think it was going out of play and Dungannon winger McCaffrey retrieved the ball easily. Tony recovered the ball, but I think the referee made a mistake, for it was a tackle from behind, but Tony got away with it. Archie was having a torrid time as well with former United player Mike Ward, but he tended to give him too much room and Mike, as he we know thrives on space. United held out to halftime and I was hoping Joe would change things, but I suspected if he did, it wouldn't be for the best. Dungannon really is a dirty hole and this was totally brought home to me in the halftime interval. I paid a visit to the toilets and went to wash my hands, but no water, but then again what do you expect from them, we are in the sticks after all.

2nd half
United showed some purpose in the second half and Ally tested the keeper when he and Vauls unlocked the Swifts defence, but Ally's right-foot shot was easily tipped over by the keeper. Rory Carson, a disappointment, had made way for Neil Lowry and United started to exert some pressure on the home team. Then the 'cheating referee' lent a hand, when after a surging run by Archie, who was fouled about 28 yards from goal, but he was allowed to carry on and found the unmarked Cutch who scored, only for Courtney, to give the foul on Archie. But the strange thing was, he didn't book the perpetrator and he gave the foul in the wrong place, just in the D, when it happened about 5 yards beyond that. Tony Kane, who had already 'missed' from two free-kicks didn't disappoint, shooting over the bar.

Joe made another substitution, taking off Downey and bring on, you've guessed it, Gavin Taggart. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot, this was a suicide mission if ever I saw one and he didn't disappoint. Then in the 88th minute, Cutch did what he does best, conjured up a goal from nothing as he wriggled his way past his maker before shooting into the net for his 18th league goal. It should have been the winner, but we knew in our 'heart of hearts' that there was one more sting in the tail. First off the referee added on 3 minutes of stoppage time even though we had only 5 subs and Joe missed a trick by not making a change in stoppage time. Still we should have held out, but Gavin got caught in possession and Cookie was forced to concede a corner. When the ball came over Jenks appeared to head into the area to the unmarked Conor Faulkner and he duly scored, to tie the match up. There was no further scoring and we had snatched a draw from the jaws of victory, same old, same old!

Drummond (7), Kane (5), Vauls (6), Cookie (6), Archie (6), Carson (5)(Sub: Lowry 6,), Downey (6)(Sub: Taggart 4,), Sparky (7), Jenks (5), Ally (6), Cutch (7)

Man of the match: Cutch

Ill Wind!

2011-12-13T23:28:00.002Z

There's an old saying, 'that's an ill wind that doesn't blow some good', there was an 'ill 'wind' at the Showgrounds tonight, which blew United out of the Irn Bru cup and manager Roy Walker out of his job. The manager tended his resignation at the end of the match and his assistant Terry Moore also resigned leaving first team coach Colin Sewell in charge. In their wisdom, the United board appointed Joe McCall the caretaker manager and Sewell as his assistant, memories are short. It an ironic twist, United showed they can play football tonight and surprise, surprise, they can tackle. I can't help feeling that if they had played like that all season, we'd got better results.

In the first half with the wind at their backs they took the match to the Crues and were denied a stonewall penalty when young Lowry was tripped in the box by Leeman, but referee Crangle was hardly going to give the penalty against 'his' team. Tony Kane's free from 30 yards was tipped over by Crues keeper Sean O'Neill. Lowry got his place in the starting line-up due the non-appearance of Jenks and Cutch, when their ferry was cancelled and they had to come by plane. Announcer Davy King informed fans of their arrival midway through the first half, by saying the 'eagles have landed'. United lined up for this match with Archie replacing Rodgers in the back four, Rory and Sparky in midfield in place of Jenks and Archie and Lowry and Baker up front in place of Cutch and the suspended Gavin Taggart.

Rory Carson missed a gilt edged chance when after good work from Lowry he shot weakly at O'Neill, instead of passing to Ally. The linesman at the Fisherwick end of the ground which United were attacking, had a strange read on offsides and pulled Lowry on two occasions when he was well on-side and he was giving the benefit of the doubt to the visitors when there was any dispute about who fouled who. After one blatant decision, United manager Roy Walker had to be restrained by his assistant Terry Moore, but I think he was quite within his rights. Vauls was rightly booked when he was caught on the wrong side of his man and committed the 'professional' foul. The United defence had one scare, when they attempted to play offside and Halliday bore down on goal and Drummond just done enough to put him off. Despite the added three minutes referee Crangle added on for keeper O'Neill's blatant time-wasting, the score remained the same.

2nd half
The 'legacy' of former manager Tommy Wright came back to haunt us moments after the restart, when keeper Wayne Drummond dropped a simple headed back-pass at the feet of Crues Stuart Dallas and he gleefully tapped the ball home for the only goal of the game. United manager Roy Walker rang the changes, firstly he brought on top scorer Cutch for Baker. Then took off Carson and brought on Jenks a virtual passenger and due to an injury, when he was scythed down by Crues sub David Rainey, Vauls had to be replaced by Woods. Surely by that stage we should thrown caution to the wind and brought on Boyd to see if we could anything out of the match.

United had their chances, Ally had hit a shot straight at O'Neill, Jenks thundered through on a Cutch pass and his half hit shot was saved by the keeper. Despite forcing several corners our strikers seemed flat-footed and the chances went abegging. In a great bit of football United's case was easily summed up, when Ally failed to make a telling pass, instead he rolled the ball to O'Neill. In fact the Crues, who had limited themselves to shooting from distance, without troubling Drummond, nearly snatched one at the end of the 3 minutes of added time, Drummond tipping Owen's effort over the bar. The Crues retained possession right at the corner flag and referee Crangle blew his whistle to send his team into the Irn Bru final where they will take on the Coleraine scum.

Drummond (4), Kane (6), Vauls (7)(Sub: Woods 6,), Cookie (6), Archie (6), Rory (6)(Sub: Jenks 6,), Sparky (7), Downey (7) Ally (6), Baker (6)(Sub: Cutch 6,), Lowry (7)

Man of the match: Conor Downey

Lowest Ebb!

2011-12-10T23:49:00.002Z

United reached their lowest ebb at Mourneview Park today when they were soundly beaten by the bottom team in the Carling Premiership, Glenavon. Sky Blue Sport in our preview for today's match couldn't see our manager continuing with his ploy of playing Vauls and Kane (or Woods) and omitting Sparky. Admittedly we urged him to make changes, but not include Gavin Taggart, but Roy knew best, he selected Kane and Vauls and worse still, he selected Gavin Taggart leaving Sparky on the bench. Now we had know way of knowing that Gavin was going to mess up big time, but we believe he is a liability and so he proved today. That was bad enough, but it was the way this United team capitulated that was so sad. Playing with ten men is difficult, but not impossible, with the right coaching we should been able to hold Glenavon with a man short, but we had no idea.

Baker and Boyd were missing through injury and Roy in his wisdom picked an ultra-defensive team, Kane, Vauls, Cookie, Rodgers, Archie, Gavin, Downey and only three attackers in Jenks, Ally and Cutch. We started off on the back foot and Gavin booked for a bad foul within four minutes. This should have been a warning to him and his team-mates that referee Smith was determined to stamp his authority on the game, unfortunately they didn't heed the warning. It was plain to see we had no outlet, when they did manage to get the ball up to Cutch, it came straight back down again. The home team forced three corners in quick succession, but the United defence held firm although they was a few scares. Then halfway through the half disaster struck, from a half cleared corner Gavin Taggart was rightly sent off for a horrendous tackle, which my opinion he didn't need to make, senseless in the extreme.

Worse was to follow from the resultant free kick as the United defence and keeper Drummond just stood flat-footed and let the ball bounce into the net. The United fans were stunned, they just couldn't believe it, it was like we were mugged, but the only difference was we had done the mugging. The United fans are to blame for this sending off and the subsequent goal, with their negative vibes emanating to the team. We needed cool heads and a change of personnel on the field, we got neither. Conor Downey, a player with experience was yellow carded for retaliating after he had been fouled and was lucky not to be sent off as he raised his arm, our fault again. We somehow survived to halftime and we were left to reflect on the suicidal nature of out team.

2nd half
Elvis replaced Vauls at halftime with Archie switching to leftback, but United couldn't get anything going forward. Cutch let his frustration show, talking himself into a booking as did Jenks minutes later. Our goal survived until 65th minute when Miskimmion broke the offside trap and placed the ball past the advancing Drummond and then 2 minutes later Rodgers brought down the same player in the box and Magee stroked the resultant penalty into the net. United made two late changes, with Ally and Downey going off to be replaced by Carson and Davidson, the latter making his debut. There was no further scoring and the disgruntled United fans gathered at social club end to shout abuse at manager Roy Walker. I was personally annoyed at this, the manager is blameless, sure it's all our fault, the manager is a fan, we hurt, he hurts and we are in the Irn Bru semi-final, what do you want for pete's sake, only believe! (I am joking).

Drummond (5), Kane (4), Vauls (6) (Sub: Elvis 4,), Cookie (5), Rodgers (5) Ally (5)(Sub: Carson 5,), Gavin (2), Downey (5)(Sub: Davidson 5,), Jenks (5), Archie (4), Cutch (5)

Man of the match: Dicky Vauls

Defensive Nightmare!

2011-12-04T10:38:00.004Z

Let's be honest, United were outclassed by the I.F.A. yesterday, the Sky Blues defence had a nightmare, the fullbacks, Woods and Vauls, were taking to the cleaners and the central defenders, Rodgers, whose indecision led to the first goal and Cookie Munster, were at sixes and sevens, no leadership at all. The Sky Blue Sport's team have been emphasising the point that we need a 'general', in our defence, someone to take control, tell people what to do and more importantly lead by example. I and the Sky Blue Sport's team think we may have such a leader in our ranks, but our manager keeps him sitting on the bench. I'm talking about, Mark 'Sparky' Surgenor, the man who has played every position in this United team, but leftback and I'm sure he could play there as well.

When we reached halftime yesterday and by a miracle we were only one down, Roy Walker took off Curtis Woods and brought on Tony Kane, a plunker for a plunker and left Sparky sitting on the bench. Ten minutes after the restart, Kane backed out of going for a pass which was at worst was 50/50 and was left in no-man's land, even Joe Gray would have tried to get the ball and that's saying something. Surely there's a fullback in the 1st or 2nd division with more savvy and guts than any of our two incumbents (I hope that's the right word), but even if there's nobody or we can't afford them, surely Sparky deserves a try, we can't definitely go on like this.

The United manager picked the same eleven that started last week, surely he was living in a dream-world, he needed to make changes and to have a plan, it's obvious he didn't have a clue. The ironic thing is, if Chris Rodgers had not dithered and got dispossessed by the Lowry of I.F.A. and the keeper (who was superb throughout), had got a better touch on the ball, we might have got something in this match. Or if we had goal-line technology, the Chris Rodgers second half header might have counted, Irwin looked well behind the line when he kicked it out. That one mistake from Rodgers proved United's undoing, although we should have been swamped, such was the I.F.A. dominance, but their finishing left a lot to be desired, no doubt that's why the fat controller tried to sign United's leading marksman, Cutch.

In our preview of this match the 'Sports team made reference to referee Brian Turkington, who was we said fair, but he proved anything but. He allowed the I.F.A, (not surprisingly, his employers after all), to take throw-ins and free kicks from wherever they pleased and get away with brutal tackles without as so much as a talking to. One incident in the 2nd half stands out, as Ally Teggart jinked along the by-line, he had his progress impeded but he was not stopped, but instead playing the advantage rule, the 'Turk' blew for a foul and worse still no yellow card. The linesman at that end of the ground, the Spion Kop, was virtually useless, practically no offsides when the I.F.A. was attacking that end, any decisions that were doubtful he gave to them and worse still, he missed the Rodgers 'goal' in the 2nd half. Contrast this to the linesman at the railway end, his flag was constant, the minute United threatened to attack, he put up his flag. I was beginning to think the fat controller was pressing his buttons.

I couldn't say he was wrong, there were all to close to call, but he got one wrong when Ally and Jenks chased a through ball, Jenks, clearly offside, stopped, but the linesman flagged anyway although Ally was clearly on side. Jenks, who had a terrible match, a touch like an elephant, had bad luck with a header from a Downey cross, beating Blaney in the I.F.A. goal, only to see the ball come back off a post. Aaron Boyd, wasn't interested in chasing down balls and he went off at halftime, (no doubt his loyalties still lie with the I.F.A.), to be replaced with Archie. I couldn't believe this substitution, I'll stick my neck out now and say I don't think Archie will make it. His best position is on the bench, he's been tried at central defence, no use, leftback,too slow and left midfield, like a fish out of water. He contributed nothing to the match, he had one run but lost possession, what a waste.

The I.F.A. must have forced about 39 corners in the match, as I said before they got all the decisions, except one, They should've been five goals up at the break, they hit the bar, post, Albert headed straight at the keeper and Mark McAllister, blatantly offside, missed from 3 yards, that's on top of our keeper making three or four saves. Contrast this with United's two chances and you can see the difference in the two sides. Woods had a nightmare at rightback, he couldn't do right for doing wrong, when confronted with a player, he couldn't get the ball past him and he was generally out of position when the I.F.A. attacked. Now I been saying in this column for three years how pathetic we are at throw-ins, not only in defending them but in taking them. The hosts had a field day yesterday, United never putting any pressure on them when they were taking them and we have no idea when taking them ourselves and they were mostly intercepted, surely that's basic coaching.

2nd half
We were in the game this half, but the hosts should have got more goals and we were lucky our keeper was in top form, but McAllister still missed yet another a sitter, hitting the ball too far in front him and Burns was foiled by a great save from Drummond. I kept hoping that we could snatch something from this game, but I knew when the Rodgers goal was not given there was very little hope. Baker, a virtual passenger up front had to go off and Elvis come on to masquerade as a footballer, leaving the versatile Sparky sitting on the cold bench. How unprofessional of United to not have the sub ready when Baker went down injured, it was obvious he couldn't continue, but it took another two minutes after he went off to get the sub on. Vauls made a horrendous mistake, when missing s free header but somehow Archie got back to clear the danger at the expense another I.F.A. corner, I think it was number 36.

I never saw saw the time added on board go up and it was not announced over the speaker, which surprise, surprise, I was able to hear, at Norn Iron matches you can't hear a thing, but we weren't informed, Davy King could learn them a thing or two. The final whistle sounded and I was left to contemplate of how I and the poor 100 or so travelling Sky Blue fans had contributed to another United defeat, as our manager pointed out, it is all our fault. Maybe we would be better not going at all and then Roy and his team of no-hopers would have no-one to blame, only themselves, that'd would be a novel idea. But it hardly likely to happen, no matter all the brickbats and blame you attribute to us, we will still support you, there's no fools like old fools, we are truly United, but is the team!

Drummond (8), Woods (4)(Sub: Kane 4,), Vauls (5), Rodgers (6), Cookie (6), Baker (5)(Sub: Elvis 4,), Downey (7), Jenks (4), Ally (7), Boyd (4)(Sub: Archie (5), Cutch (6),

Man of the match: Wayne Drummond

Just Enough!

2011-11-26T23:10:00.004Z

United done just enough to come away with three points from their home fixture with a disappointing Donegal Celtic. I would safely say that we witnessed the most disappointing crowd of D.C. supporters in the history of this fixture, I doubt there was thirty travelling, fayre paying, fans, I'm not counting the 'freebies' that get in claiming some link with the team, aka Institute. I wouldn't fault their fans for not travelling to the Showgrounds, for despite some pressure with the winds at their back in the first half, the closest they come was United keeper Wayne Drummond tipped a header over the bar and towards the end of the half the young keeper made a hash of a routine catch from a corner and was indebted to Curtis Woods for a saving header.

United manager Roy Walker, who has given himself to 31 December, to turn the Sky Blues season round, rang the changes from his starting line-up of last Saturday, with five changes. Cookie Munster replaced Watson, Chris Rodgers replaced Archie and Curtis Woods replaced the misfiring Tony Kane in the back four. The only defender to keep his place was Dicky Vauls, but he had a stinker to-day and it would be hard to see him not getting dropped for next week. The other two changes were Downey for Sparky and Aaron Boyd for Eamon Murray, who didn't even make the bench. United I assumed lost the toss (I was in just before the kick-off), why else would you face the prospect willingly of playing against a gale force wind.

United goalkeeper Wayne Drummond was struggling to clear his lines and the visitors kept United penned in their half of the field for the majority of the first period, without causing too many problems. United top scorer Cutch, should have done better when he got on the end of a Curtis Woods cross after 12 mins, but his fierce shot didn't trouble ex-United keeper Goosey Robinson. At the other end D.C. forced some corners but never looked like scoring and the United defence dealt capably with them for the most part. Cookie Munster got away with a risky move, when he tried to be too clever and he 'fluked' a pass to Vauls which was a risky move. United broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when Downey's through ball caught the D.C. defenders napping and Cutch sped goalwards.

A D.C. defender caught up with the 'ace marksman' (21 goals in 21 games before to-day), but the 'wee' man turned his man before beating Goosey with a crisp shot at his left post, for his 22nd goal in his 22nd match and nudge United in front and receive the adulations of his team-mates and fans alike. United should have increased their lead two mins later when Jenks fed Ally, but despite having the goal at his mercy Ally pulled his effort wide. United almost paid the ultimate penalty for that glaring miss, when their keeper just managed to get his fingertips to a header from Ryan Henderson. In the 43rd minute Ally made up for his earlier miss when he wriggled his way to the by-line before crossing for Aaron Boyd to tap in to make it 2-0. United had a scare when Drummond made a 'hash' of a routine catch or at least a punch and then in the dying minutes of the half, Vauls with all the time in world, set up D.C. striker Henderson, but luckily he shot wide.

2nd half
United didn't come out the second half and they chose to soak up the pressure from the visitors, who got caught continually offside. In a rare move out of defence Baker tried his luck with a near-post shot but Goosey was equal to it at the expense of a corner. Vauls was really struggling this half and it was obvious something would have to to done before he committed a real clanger. The United manager sent on Archie and that seemed to stop that although United continued to struggle with the wind at their back. Ally saw a shot brilliantly tipped over by Goosey, the admission fee was worth that just to see a competent keeper going about his work, Tommy Wright take note. For readers of this column who didn't know, the first act of Tommy Wright when he took over the United manager's job, was to release Goosey and we have been paying for that ever since.

Aaron Boyd was the next to be substituted with Sparky taking his place and United seemed content to play out the remainder of the match soaking up the pressure. For the most part the visitors seemed to be content also, although their manager was 'livid' when one of his player was cautioned for a clumsy foul on Jordan Baker. Referee, Ross Dunlop, who had a good game told the manager in no uncertain terms just to keep his comments to himself. Despite the now familiar three minutes of added time, D.C. posed no threat to the United rearguard and the Sky Blues ran out deserved, but unconvincing winners with a score 2-0. This was a victory, but an away match at Windsor next week, followed by a trip to Mourneview Park, where Marty Quinn has just resigned, will no doubt pose sterner tests and we'll not mention the Irn Bru semi-final on 13 December, a really vast improvement will be needed!

Drummond (6), Woods (6), Vauls (5)(Sub: Archie 6,), Cookie (6), Rodgers (6), Baker (6), Downey (6), Jenks (6), Ally (7), Boyd (7)(Sub: Sparky (6), Cutch (7)

Man of the match: Cutch

Football Lesson!

2011-11-19T23:35:00.002Z

The United board persuaded Roy Walker to come out of retirement and take up football management again and I think it's time they retired him for good, for he doesn't have a clue. He never thought of playing somebody to mark young Cliftonville starlet Rory Donnelly and how he made him pay. Maybe it would have made no difference anyway, our back four was way below par and the midfield wasn't getting involved either. Keeper Wayne Drummond didn't distinguish himself either, his foolhardy throw-out set up the first goal for Donnelly, although there was a suspicion of offside, but the flag stayed down. That goal came in the 8th minute and a second followed in the thirteenth as United's defence looked on, as Ryan Catney started and finishing the move with a low shot.

Four mins later Chris Scannell won a dubious free kick on the edge of box and Eamon Murray ducked his head as the ball flew past and into the net past the outstretched arms of Drummond. Three minutes later United were given a lifeline, when Baker tumbled in the box and despite long protests from the Cliftonville defence, Cutch tucked away the penalty for his 21st goal of the season. Straight from the kick-off the Reds won a throw-in and as the ball was driven across, Donnelly got his head to ball, despite the attention of Kane and Watson and Scannell stooped to head the ball into net and leave Archie flat-footed. Twenty-one minutes on the clock and already the tie was looking beyond United and as luck would have it 5 minutes later Baker found space in the box, but his volley found the outside of the post, with the keeper beaten.

Just as it looked like United would survive until halftime, up stepped Barry Johnston to deflect a Donnelly shot past the luckless Drummond. With the score now 5-1 in favour of the visitors, the home crowd (who Roy Walker says are responsible for all Sky Blues woes), was starting to boo the team and manager and who could blame them. Drummond long punt up the field was chased by Jenks and when the Cliftonville defence hesitated he drove the ball home to make the score 5-2. We had seen seven goals in the first half and I dreaded to think what was in store for us in the second half.

2nd Half
United made two substitutions at the start of this half, Archie and Watson went off to be replaced by Downey and Rodgers. For a time this seemed to be working but we were undone in the 52nd minute when Donnelly timed his run to perfection to nod the ball over the stranded Drummond and into the net, to make the score 6-2. Then in the 70th minute he completed his hat-trick when he sprinted clear of his marker to rifle the ball home. Despite the linesman missing a blatant offside young Rory was unable to add to his score and the last goal was scored for the home team when Jenks forced it home. As if United hadn't suffered enough they lost Vauls with a nasty head injury, when Donnelly appeared to head butt him, referee Brian 'Ham Shank' Courtenay took no action. United came off to a chorus of boos and Roy Walker was told in no uncertain terms where to go, I for one hope he takes that advice!

Drummond (5), Kane (4), Vauls (5)(Sub: Woods 5,), Archie (4)(Sub: Downey 5,), Watson (4)(Sub: Rodgers (5) Eamon (6), Sparky (5), Ally (5), Jenks (6), Baker (6), Cutch (6)

Man of the match: Cutch

Cutch Clutch!

2011-11-17T08:16:00.008Z

United prolific marksman Cutch was on form in the second half at Darragh Park, Castlederg . He had earlier dropped a 'bombshell', well two bombshells actually. Firstly he has been approached by Linfield who want him to sign on pre-contract for next season, we think this illegal tapping, but Linfield as we very well know, are in reality the I.F.A., so it's okay. The other 'bombshell' was the fact he told the I.F.A. (Linfield), he intends retiring at the end of this season. The 33 year-old will be badly missed at the Showgrounds and virtually irreplaceable, as his twenty goals this season, indicate and although not playing to his high standards last night, he still weighed in with a hat-trick, and helped get United out of jail.

United manager, Roy Walker, had more or less picked the team we had indicated in our preview or at least picked the team from the panel of players we suggested. Tony Kane started at rightback replacing Curtis Woods, Sparky was on in place of Gavin Taggart and Eamon got a rare start, allowing Archie to partner Watson in place of the suspended Cookie Munster. United are notoriously slow starters and it was obvious from the start that Archie and Liam hadn't played together in a central defensive pairing for they started poorly. With 3 mins on the clock Archie went for a header that he should've left, but nobody told him, so he went for it. But his weak header fell nicely to the feet of McManus and he drilled the ball past the exposed Drummond in the United goal, not the start we wanted.

Eight minutes later it was two when Archie lost out again, Watson missed a tackle and despite getting a hand to Campbell's shot, Drummond could only help into the net. I don't mind telling you I was worried, I could already see the headlines but United did what they do best and why I love them, attack. Jordan Baker scored with a header from Ally's corner to reduce the leeway in 11 mins and was unlucky to see another header kicked off the line. Twelve minutes later we were on level terms with a sweet passing move, Tony Kane and Eamon exchanged passes and Kane found Baker and his shot was pushed onto the post by the keeper and Jenks tapped in the equaliser. Dergview were rightly reduced to ten men when McCaskie scythed down Baker as the United man went to sprint by, the referee, Tim Marshall had only one recourse, a red card, that sort of tackle has no place on the football field.

From the resultant free kick, Cutch's shot was deflected for a corner, Ally took the corner and Jenks missed an open goal. For the rest of the half United seemed to lose their way a bit and they were indebted to Kane for stepping up to the mark when Dergview upped the pace, for timely interceptions and reading of the game. The referee, at this stage seemed to give the benefit of the doubt to the home team, but the Sky Blues kept their discipline and soaked up the pressure to halftime. The talk at halftime was whether or not Roy would change things at the back, bringing on Chris Rodgers, or whether he would leave things as they were. Then we heard about the episode of one the buses bringing Sky Blue fans to the match, I'm so glad I was driving my own car, nothings worse than inhaling diesel fumes.

2nd half
We took the field with the same eleven players, obviously Roy gave them an ear wigging, for they came out quick and lively. Just three minutes into the half, Kane and Eamon combined down the right and Eamon found Cutch with a cross. The wee man teed the ball up for Ally, to curl a delightful shot with the outside of his boot and into the net, far and away the best goal I've seen for many year. Seven minutes later the tie was over as a contest when ace Cutch got on the end of two crosses to score easily. On 54 mins Archie picked Eamon with a fifty-yard pass and Cutch got on the end of his cross to score the easiest goal in this his prolific season. In the next minute Archie burst through the static Dergview defence to find Cutch unmarked at the far post and he picked his spot to make the score 5-2 for the Sky Blues.

Job done, Eamon was withdrawn in the 60 mins with Aaron Boyd taking his place, which meant Baker dropping back to midfield, which I personally thought was a negative move, but I'm not the manager. We turned on the exhibition stuff, which is never a good idea, beat the team, but don't humiliate them. Cutch completed his hat-trick when McMenamin couldn't cut out Wayne Drummond's long punt and Gary steadied himself before chipping the keeper to complete yet another hat-trick and complete the rout. In the last 20 minutes, Elvis came on for Baker and near the end Rodgers for Kane with Watson moving to right back. Despite relentless pressure United failed to add to their tally and though the home team never rarely threatened the United goal they did salvage some pride. But that was all they got last night and United can look forward to a semi-final meeting with Crusaders on Tuesday 13 December at the Showgrounds, bring on the 'hatchet men', only believe!

Drummond (7), Kane (8)(Rodgers 6,), Vauls (6), Watson (6), Archie (7), Eamon (7)(Boyd 5,), Sparky (7), Jenks (7), Ally (8), Baker (8)(Elvis 5,), Cutch (8)

Man of match: Tony Kane

Lucky Dip!

2011-11-12T23:14:00.002Z

I wondered what method United manager Roy Walker used for his team selection today and I came to the conclusion that he stuck all the players names in a hat and picked them one by one. He picked Cookie Munster, so it was obvious somebody would have to make way for him and he also selected Dicky Vauls and obviously somebody had to make way for him. Now the team last Saturday certainly under-performed and you could took almost any of the defenders out, but Roy in his wisdom took out two midfielders One them was Conor Downey an ever present non-performer, but the other one, Sparky was playing out of position last week and was dropped while Gavin Taggart and Archie stayed in. In order to accommodate Archie, Ally moved to the right wing and Archie to the left, both had a poor game.

As luck would have it we missed an absolute sitter in the first two minutes, Baker went to challenge Ports keeper Miskelly and the keeper made a hash of his clearance and it fell to leading scorer Cutch and with the goal at his mercy he shot hurriedly and feebly but he had time. Soon our powder puff midfield was being overrun by the home players and it looked only matter of time before our goal would be breeched. Curtis Woods was having a half he'll want to forget and he could do nothing right, in one moment of madness a mishit back pass caused a collision between United goalkeeper Drummond and Ports striker Tipton and Tipton came out worst in that encounter and he had to go to the touchline for treatment. The home team played a ball down the left wing, when down to ten men and Cookie made a hash of his tackle and Braniff waltzed into our penalty and Drummond could only watch as the ball rolled into the net, a soft goal.

Straight from from the centre United should've been back on level terms as Baker and Ally combined but Ally's shot missed the target. Ports player Tipton had to go off with a broken collarbone to be replaced with Boyle but despite some pressure the Sky Blues held out to halftime. In fact they came within an ace of getting back on terms when Baker's thunderous shot was blocked at the foot of the post by a Ports defender. The referee Burns added on two minutes but United were looking for their half time cuppa and were not trying to get on terms. As the teams left the field I was hoping Roy was going to change things, but knowing in my heart there was very little chance.

2 Half
The teams took the field after halftime with the same personnel and United were denied a cast iron penalty when as Cutch chased a through ball, Chris Ramsay was seen to handle it but referee and linesman saw nothing. Fifteen mins into the 2nd half Roy acted by taking off Vauls and bring on Eamon Murray, but instead Murray going to the right-wing and letting Ally back to the left, Eamon was moved to the left and Ally was inside of him. Archie had moved back to leftback and whether this shake-up led to confusion in the United defence, as Ports player McCabe was allowed to dribble into our box before planting a shot in the corner of the net to put his side two up.

That goal come in the 67 minutes and Roy Walker took off Ally and brought on Aaron Boyd, one ineffective player for another as it turned out. But United did get a goal back, when Baker back-headed a throw in the box and it eventually fell to Cutch who made no mistake with a shot from 15 yards. This ensured a grandstand finish when Jenks should done better with a header putting it wide of the goal and Archie had a run up the left and despite having his shirt pulled did manage to get his cross in. Walker had at last took off Gavin Taggart with Sparky taking his place and we went into all out attack, but it was too little too late and the Ports seen out the added time to keep up the pressure on Linfield at the top of table. United meanwhile face a tricky tie away to Dergview on Wednesday in the Irn Bru league cup, they'll need more of this never-say-die attitude on Wednesday I dare say!

Drummond (6), Woods (5), Vauls (5)(Sub: Eamon 6,), Watson (6), Cookie (5), Ally (5)(Sub: Boyd 5,), G. Taggart (5)(Sub: Sparky 6,), Jenks (5), Archie (5), Baker (5), Cutch (7)

Man of the match: Cutch

Last Gasp!

2011-11-06T00:08:00.003Z

When I heard the team Roy Walker had selected to do the job I knew there be shortcomings, but wasn't prepared for this inept performance I witnessed today. The Coleraine scum beat us 1-0 and it will be a goal that'll haunt our keeper Wayne Drummond, for he made a mess of a fairly routine catch, but truth be told we should've been beat by far more. With Cookie Munster, serving a ban, Roy decided to change his two central defenders, playing Sparky and Watson and leaving Chris Rodgers on the bench. Gavin Taggart got a rare start in midfield but the scum dominated this area of the field so much no United man emerged with credit.

Ally Teggart, so long a star performer in this United side, had a stinker today and we had no Eamon Murray to gee him up a bit. Jordan Baker who was supposed to be good in the air, won only three of the thirty or so balls that ended up in his direction, while ace marksman Cutch was a virtual passenger. As early as the 5th minute we could have been a goal down, as the scum took a corner from the left, Oglivy had a free header, not a United man within 10 yards of him, but luckily it cleared the crossbar. United just couldn't clear their lines and it seemed only a matter of time when the scum would take the lead. After one goalmouth scramble Drummond pulled off a save, but there was no outlet and The ball came back again. We did have one chance when a through ball glanced off a Coleraine head, but referee Dunlop gave a goal-kick, instead of a corner. Despite a few more scares and a disallowed goal, we got to halftime still on level terms and I hoped Roy would change things around.

2nd Half
We took the field with the same personnel on board, though we made a match of it for the first ten minutes of the half and Ally missed a sitter when played in by Cutch, hitting his shot straight at the keeper. After a fruitless run up the field and a feeble shot by Downey, Roy took him off and brought Aaron Boyd on. Baker then missed a chance with a free header, putting it over the bar, but thereafter it was the home team who dominated proceedings. The scum brought on Leon Knight, but the United defence held firm, although there was a few scares and keeper Drummond did well to thwart Knight diving at the strikers feet.United had a shout for a penalty when Baker appeared to have his legs whipped from under him, but referee Dunlop was unimpressed.

With five minutes to go Knight appeared to head-butt Watson and although the referee gave the foul, he didn't take any action against the scum player. With three minutes to go we had a catalogue of errors, first Archie was beat out on the right, then when the ball was crossed from the left, Watson failed to make contact and it looked like a keepers ball, but whether he was hampered his own defender, he fumbled it and Knight rammed it into the net. Maybe on reflection the keeper should've punched the ball, but there was no coming back from a killer blow like that. We had one feeble attempt to mount an attack, but Cutch couldn't find the unmarked Baker. The scum killed the match during the three minutes of added time and we had no answer, we were a beaten team!

Drummond (6), Woods (6), Archie (6), Sparky (5), Watson (5), Gavin (5)(Sub: Rory 5,), Jenks (6), Downey (5)(Sub: Boyd 5,), Ally (5), Baker (5), Cutch (5)

Man of the match: Curtis Woods

Ally's Answer!

2011-10-29T23:40:00.003+01:00

The Sky Blue Sport teams were long and loud in their match preview about Ally Teggart's influence on this afternoon's game and he didn't disappoint us. Not only was he influential in attack, linking up with Archie, but when the chips were down due to the harsh sending off of Cookie, he slotted in at leftback as if he had played there all his life. This was a match that United should've won comfortably, I alone counted 7 clear-cut chances in a one-sided first half and due to the sending off, they were left to defend in depth in the last 20 minutes of normal time and the four minutes referee Heatherton saw fit to add on. United manager Roy Walker made two changes to his starting line-up from last Saturday, Rodgers for Watson and the fit again Wayne Drummond for Nelson.

United attacking the Fisherwick end forced a corner in five minutes, Ally took the kick,the Whites defence failed to deal with it and Captain Jenks muffed his shot at the back post, a real let-off for the visitors. Two minutes later Cutch got a sight of goal and from 25 yards tested Brennan in the visitors goal, but he was equal to the task. Then from another Ally corner, delivered with precision, Baker headed over with the goal at his mercy. Cutch was next to try his luck when a Whites defender forced him onto his left-foot, but Brennan was equal to his blistering shot, albeit at the second attempt. Then we were treated to a delightful piece of football, as Ally and Archie, combined down to left and Archie's cross found Baker, but the striker steered his shot wide.

Curtis Woods not to be outdone was doing some overlapping down the right and was ever mindful of the fact that he had Downey playing in front of him and he tended to put his crosses over too early instead of getting to the byline and cutting the ball back. From a corner on the right, won by Curtis's blocked cross, Ally delivered another gem and when the ball was played out to him again, he found Baker lurking at the far post and with the goal at his mercy and needing a touch, Jordan tried to blast it and put it wide. I said to a a fellow fan that I fervently hoped we wouldn't pay for this wastefulness in front of goal and in a rare breakaway, old boy David Cushley, saw his shot blocked by Woods, a warning.

For the rest of the half United tending to over-elaborate, playing some nice football in the process, but it was taking 12 passes to get an opening and the visitors weren't that good. The linesman at the Fisherwick did us no favours when Jenks was tripped in the box, a clear penalty and later on there was a deliberate handball ignored by the referee, Then when Jenks won the ball at the halfway line and fed Cutch, the wee man was blatantly scythed down by a Whites defender, the referee waved play on as we had possession, but when the move came to nothing I fully expected the visiting player to get a caution, but the referee took no action. Luckily Cutch was able to continue after treatment, but he limped for a few minutes after that. Halftime was reached with the score still level at 0-0 and I was wondering if our manager would bring on the fit again Aaron Boyd in the 2nd period for the misfiring Baker.

2nd Half
United took the field with the same personnel, but it was obvious there would have to be a change made and 15 minutes after the restart Downey made way for Eamon Murray. Suddenly we looked dangerous, with Murray and Woods combining well down the right and Eamon looking like his old self. The linesman at the Fisherwick end started brightly, flagging two times in succession for offsides, but then missed another two, before getting another one right, but I was getting worried. David Cushley, had been late in tackling a couple of times, one on Archie in the first half was particularly vicious and he continued in this vein in the second half. When he went in rather clumsily on Cookie Munster, the United defender remonstrated with him and Cushley dived like he had been hit by lightening. The upshot was that referee Heatherton booked Cushley and red-carded Cookie, for reacting to a vicious tackle.

I, in my pessimism thought that was that, but from the resultant free kick, Murray sent Woods away down the right, he got to the byline and crossed and the goal machine, Cutch, took the ball on his chest, before drilling his shot in the visitors net to put United a goal up. The visitors took off Larmour and brought on Ligget, hoping to get something from the match and the linesman missed another off-side in the build-up of a move, but Ligget headed in to the grateful arms of Drummond in the United goal. United took off Cutch and brought on Boyd and his fresh legs gave the visiting defence something to think about. In fact his persistence nearly paid off when the visitors were lucky to get the ball away and when Murray tried to volley the loose ball it ballooned away across pitch much to the amusement of the home fans.

Ally moved back into leftback as Archie moved into the centre and he played as if he had been playing that position all his days. His reading of the game was superb and he combined well with Murray and Boyd down the left. From a corner he won Jenks was unlucky to see his header flashed past the post. Referee Heatherton saw fit to book Jenks for delaying the game and Drummond for time-wasting and if that wasn't enough he added 4 minutes of stoppage time. The visitors threw everything in to attack and manager Walker took Baker off and replaced him with Gavin Taggart. I was always fearful the visitors would nick one and when Cushley was allowed to get his cross in for Ligget to score the linesman's flag come to our rescue. Despite a few scares we saw out the remainder of the match to record our first home win of the season and it sets us up very nicely for the trip next Saturday to play the Coleraine scum!

Drummond (7), Woods (7), Archie (7), Cookie (6), Rodgers (7), Downey (5)(Sub: Murray 7,), Sparky (7), Jenks (6), Ally (8), Baker (5)(Taggart 6,), Cutch (8)(Boyd 7,)

Man of the match: Ally (Alan Taggart)

Jordan Joy!

2011-10-22T23:16:00.002+01:00

For the 2nd week running United and their fans made the journey to Seaview, not to take on Crusaders, but their ground sharing tenants, Carrick Rangers. For the 2nd week running we were herded into the stand at the Shore Road end, because 5 Rangers fans wanted to sit in their new stand which was the terracing on the City side of the ground for many, many years. Now the Sky Blue Sport's team abhorrence at watching a match from behind the goals is well documented and we believe we're right in saying the majority of all Sky Blue supporters feel the same way. So legislators take note, if clubs persist with this draconian attitude, we'll take draconian measures, you have been warned.

Now that I've got that off my chest onto much more serious things, United had to make three changes from their starting line-up of last Saturday. Nelson in goal for Drummond, Watson in defence for Vauls and Baker in attack for Boyd. The first half was a nonentity, with both teams being unable to play constructive football on the bouncy surface and windy conditions. The pattern of play was very predictable, the keepers would hump the ball up-field and the forwards would fight for possession of the ball. Carrick missed a glorious chance to take the lead, when Watson was beaten easily on the wing and Stephen O'Neill was denied by the woodwork with Nelson clutching at straws. At the other end Cutch missed a sitter when he was set up by Jenks, with only the keeper to beat, he lifted his shot over the bar.

When we won free-kick at the right-side of the box, it looked tailor made for Ally's left-foot, but Cutch took it and Valko tipped it over the bar for a corner. The corner was taken by Ally and Cookie was unlucky to see his header come back off the bar. Jordan Baker, who hasn't scored since his second goal of the match at the D.C. gave United all three points, way back at the end of August, didn't look like breaking his duck in this match and I was left to wonder if the manager would make make one or two substitutions in the halftime interval.

2nd half
United took the field with the same eleven and upped the pace right from the start of the half. Their pressure told in the 50th minute when after a great dribble by Ally, Archie following up behind picked up the loose ball and squared it to Baker on the edge of the box. Jordan turned on the proverbial sixpence and rifled ball past Valko to give the Sky Blues the lead. As if that wasn't bad enough for Carrick they lost their influential central defender Davey McAlinden shortly afterwards. In the 60thminute, Ally swung over a corner from the right and Cutch stole in at the far post to notch his 15th goal of the season and give United a two goal cushion. Despite dominating the game United couldn't add to their tally and the defence dealt capably with the 'home' team's attempt to get back into the game.

Nelson (7), Woods (6), Archie (7), Cookie (7), Watson (5), Downey (6), Sparky (7), Jenks (7), Ally (8), Cutch (7), Baker (8)

Man of match: Jordan Baker

Santa Gary!

2011-10-15T18:50:00.003+01:00

So often the hero, Cutch became the villain when he missed a 79th minute penalty which would have given United at least a share of the spoils. I have no doubt in my mind that referee Crangle gave this spot-kick to go some way to diminish his howler in the first half when he punished United keeper Drummond for an alleged back-pass. I was, like the rest of United fans herded to the stand behind the goal which United were defending in the first half and 'hand on my heart' I couldn't say it was a deliberate back-pass. Why then could Crangle decide it was a back-pass, when he was behind the play and in no position to judge who struck the ball never mind if it was deliberate. I honestly can say I have never seen any team punished for that offence in the last five years and our keeper, who has grown up with it, didn't do anything wrong.

United showing two changes from the team that started on Wednesday, Cookie Munster for Rodgers and Boyd for Baker, got off to a dream start after 4 minutes, when Boyd tried a speculative shot from 25 yards and former United keeper Sean O'Neill fumbled the shot into his own net. The lead was short lived and United were undone by their abject failure to deal with set pieces. Crues won a throw-in on the right, the benevolent United defence allowed them the freedom of the park and when the cross came in Jordan Owen was a free as bird at the far post, although Drummond should maybe done better, but where was the covering defender. United had a let off when a Coates header flew inches wide and then in 22 minutes we had the Crangle gaffe.

Unlike when Linfield were awarded a controversial free in a match at the Showgrounds, United did organise a wall, but when the ball was pulled square for Aiden Watson to shoot goalwards, Conor Downey played Jordan Owens on and he had the simple task of giving the Crues the lead. Cutch had a chance to draw the sides level but O'Neill saved well with his feet and from the rebound Cutch tried to score at an impossible angle, instead of crossing. Boyd was unlucky to see a left foot shot sail wide in what was a positive end to the half for United. As the teams left the field for their halftime cuppa United keeper Drummond was still remonstrating with referee Crangle in regard to his gaffe.

2nd half
Disaster struck for United shortly after the break when Boyd was seen pulling at his hamstring and he had to go off to be replaced by Elvis. This half was epitomised by us seeing the two sides of Crues skipper Colin Coates. Coates, the accomplished defender who never wastes a ball and can score goals as he demonstrated in the 60th minute. But before that Curtis Woods lifted a shot past O'Neill only to be thwarted by the crossbar. Then when the United defence failed to clear a corner, the ball was driven back in, a Crues player rose unchallenged to head to the unmarked Coates, who had time to steady himself and drive the ball into the net. Rip van Roy woke up and took off Downey and brought on Eamon Murray and we gradually got into the picture.

With Eamon on the right and Ally on the left we started to move with some cohesion and when Ally struck an in-swinging corner in the 73rd minute, Cookie got his head to it to reduce the leeway to 2-3. Six minutes later we won a penalty and I have to say it was a soft penalty and I think the referee was trying to make amends for his earlier gaffe. He adjudged that Burrows, who had just come on for Rainey, hauled Jenks back as he was trying to get to a Cutch cross and booked Burrows in the process. Crues keeper O'Neill, easily saved Cutch's feeble penalty and with it United's chance of getting something from the game. Then we saw the other side of Crues Colin Coates with a horrendous tackle on Ally, reminiscent of the Kevin Kelbie tackle on Sparky. At least the referee took the right course of action, an immediate red card as the match threatened to boil over.

Ally, was not too badly injured and he came close with a free kick three minutes later from the left which hit the post with O'Neill scrambling. In a last throw of the dice Roy took off Vauls and brought on Tony Kane and we went to three at the back to try to get something out of this game. Kane did have a chance when we got a free about 25 yards from goal, but the ball sailed harmlessly over the crossbar. Despite the home team blatantly wasting time, referee Crangle only seen fit to add on the obligatory 3 minutes, adding insult to injury. The Sky Blue Sport team were left wondering whether that player from yesteryear, Jimmy Martin, who struck his penalties low and hard to the posts, would care give Cutch, whose missed two already this season, some tips!

Drummond (7), Woods (7), Vauls (6)(Sub: Kane,6), Cookie (6), Archie (6), Downey (5)(Sub: Eamon, 6), Sparky (6), Jenks (7), Ally (7), Cutch (5), Boyd (7)(Sub: Elvis, 6),

Man of the match: Jenks

Ally Ally!

2011-10-13T22:45:00.003+01:00

Six days ago Sky Blue Sport said it was time for Baker and Ally (Teggart), to assert themselves in a Sky Blue jersey and last night although it was a night Baker will want to forget, Ally on the other hand did rise to the occasion. From his corner on the left Archie got the decisive nod on the ball to give United a one goal lead in the first half and from his pinpoint free-kick on the right, in the second period, Boydie sneaked at the far post to score the clincher. The United manager made two changes to his starting line-up of last Saturday, Archie for the suspended Denver and Rodgers in place of Watson.This was not a convincing performance from United, but they got the victory and are in the next round where they face a tricky tie away to Dergview who beat D.C. The United manger still persisted on playing Conor Downey in right midfield, although he's prominently left-footed, which is bad enough, but worse than that, he still doesn't look fit.

Chris Rodgers had one of them matches where he was good (at times extremely good) and bad (extremely bad). Whether its a matter of concentration he lacks, I do hope he gets it sorted out sooner rather than later, we need him to be at the top of his game. Dicky Vauls, bidding to tie down the leftback slot, made one terrible mistake last night but lucky it didn't come to anything and Curtis Woods done his case no harm with an accomplished display at rightback, Archie had a good game. In midfield Ally and Sparky stole the plaudits closely followed by team Captain Jenks, while upfront Cutch looked as though he had packed too much cheese and Baker was like a man lost. It was almost a relief when Baker picked up an injury and didn't come out for the second half, with Boydie taking his place.

Keeper Drummond is beginning to look like the find of the season and though he is a wee bit reluctant to leave his line, he nevertheless is a vast improvement on his predecessors in the job. United were the nearly men for a lot of this match, despite good football the final pass 'nearly' got through and for a change the two goals they scored came from set-pieces. We scored the first when Archie stole in unmarked at the near post to glance his header into the six-yard box from which it appeared to get a deflection on its way into the net. Despite United's total domination of the left flank, they couldn't unlock the home defence and Rodgers was giving concern the way he was in and out. Halftime was reached with United leading by that one-goal margin and we were left hoping for a change of personnel on the resumption.

2nd Half
Baker didn't come out for the second period, with Boydie taking his place and it gave our forwards the purpose it'd been lacking in the first period. Boydie looked to have won a penalty when he was impeded in the box, but referee Carville overruled the linesman and gave a goal-kick. As the Bangor boys begun to tire Downey was to have more of a influence on the game and one pass to Woods should brought a better outcome than the resultant corner which a Bangor defender just managed to divert past the post. When United won a free-kick about 20 yards from goal on the right it seemed like a perfect opportunity for the absent Tony Kane, but Ally took it anyway and he found the unmarked Boydie and the striker just done enough to score with a downward header.

Despite numerous opportunities United couldn't add to their tally and Cutch should have done better when a rare Downey cross found him unmarked but he headed into the keeper's arms. Downey went off to be replaced by Elvis Costello and I thought its a golden chance to make a name for yourself Elvis, but he just wasn't interested and the one chance he had, he frittered away. Rodgers, playing excellent this half picked up an injury and he was replaced by Cookie Munster and then as luck would have it Archie got an elbow to his face, missed by referee Carville and had to go off from treatment, although he was able to continue but he looked a bit woozy to say the least. Despite the 3 minutes of added time Bangor couldn't conjure up a goal and United had chalked up a 2-0 victory. Suffice to say it was not impressive and we need to lift our game for Saturday's trip to Seaview, but it is a victory nonetheless, we must be happy about that!

Drummond (7), Woods (7), Vauls (6), Archie (7), Rodgers (6)(Sub: Cookie,6,), Downey (5)(Sub: Elvis, 4,), Sparky (7), Jenks (6), Ally (7), Cutch (5), Baker (4)(Sub: Boydie,7,)

Man of the match: Ally Teggart

Half Paced!

2011-10-08T23:22:00.003+01:00

The gulf between the top and bottom of the Irish league was never better illustrated than today at the Showgrounds. Portadown, joint-leaders, with the I.F.A. (Linfield), were streets ahead of United in every sense the word. The United defence was breeched at will with their fast flowing football and incisive passing, if the referee hadn't taken pity on us and shown a red card to defender Gartland for tripping Cutch, we could've taken a real beating. As it was the 4-2 in the visitors favour flattered us, it really wasn't that close. United manager Roy Walker rang the changes, dropping Elvis and Archie to the bench, restoring Sparky to midfield, Watson and Vauls to defence, but still insisting on playing a half-fit Conor Downey, Chris Rodgers meanwhile was nowhere to be seen.

The number of times Downey got caught in possession in this match are too numerous to mention, let's just say it was too many. I thought that part of the preparation for match days was to have teams watched, but on this showing this policy seems to have gone out the window, like the lack of fitness. Big Denver has a heart like a lion, but let's face it he far from pacey and he was caught time and time again by the slick moving Braniff. It only took the Ports 7 minutes to open their account from a corner kick, defender Gartland scoring with a free header. United spurned a great chance to get level, when Vauls and Ally combined down the left flank and the fullback's cross found Sparky unmarked, but he headed straight at Miskelly. We were soon to pay for this benevolence when the visitors increased their lead in the 26 minute when Tony Kane was beaten down the right flank and Braniff had the simplest tasks of striking the ball into the net.

This goal seemed to spur United and 3 minutes later they reduced the arrears, when Ally volleyed home after good work by Kane. Cutch was getting repeatedly caught offside, but I was thinking sooner or later he's going to be given the benefit of the doubt and so in the 37th minute it duly happened. As the birthday boy, belying all of his 33 years, burst into the Ports box, the last man Gartland whipped his legs from under him, a cast iron penalty. Not only was it a penalty, but Gartland as the last man was rightly sent off, Cutch took the penalty himself notching his 14th goal of the season to bring the sides level. United seemed to lose their way after this and the visitors finished the half in the ascendency, even with 10 men. The score remained the same at halftime and I was confident Roy would replace Downey, surely he could see he was struggling.

2nd Half
There's an old saying that goes 'there's no-one blinder that those that will not see', I'm afraid Roy Walker falls into this category. United took the field for the second half with no changes and then two minutes after the restart United were left with a mountain to climb. A cross came in from the right, Braniff rose unchallenged to head it and Mackle burst through our slip-shod defence to give the Ports the lead. I know people will tell me that's my pessimism showing through but I knew in my 'heart of hearts' that we were not coming back from this. We had no idea of how to break the Ports defence down and even though we made changes, taking off Downey and Kane and bringing on Aaron Boyd and Curtis Woods it made little or no difference. Jordan baker had a chance to draw us level when he was found at in the six-yard box, but he tried to volley it, instead just making contact and he ballooned the ball wide.

The Ports looked the more likely to score and Drummond made a smart save from Tipton as the striker mesmerised Watson on the goal-line. Then Aaron Boyd perpetrated the 'miss of the match' when from a short corner Woods cross found his head, but with the goal at his mercy he headed wide. Sparky then found Ally with a good pass and Cutch beat Ports Ramsay to the through ball and from his shot Miskelly fingertips just helped the ball onto the crossbar and away for a corner. The final nail in United's coffin came when Big Denver, who had already been cautioned, was adjudged to pull Tipton back and he became the second player to be sent off, with his second yellow card. From the resultant free-kick the United defence looked on as Braniff scored with a diving header to make the score 4-2 for the visitors and the rout was complete.

Drummond (6), Kane (5)(Sub: Woods 5,), Vauls (5), Watson (5), Denver (4) Downey (4)(Sub: Boyd 5,), Jenks (6), Sparky (6), Ally (7), Baker (5), Cutch (8)

Man of the match: Cutch

Backward Step!

2011-10-01T23:36:00.002+01:00

It was hard to figure out United manager Roy Walker's tactics today, with the team defending deep and allowing their opponents to dictate the pace of the game. Near as I can figure he tried to create the conditions we encounter in away matches, at home, the verdict, a backward step. United supporters were scathing in their remarks at the end of the match, but at the end of the day we stole a point. Dungannon should have beat at least 3 or 4, we had no answer to their quick attacking play, in the first half Archie and Tony Kane were taken to the cleaners, by Stefan Lavery and Joe McCreadie. We were pinned in our half for most of first period, because we were defending so deep and still Dungannon were able to carve holes in our defence.

The manager made two changes to his starting line-up as of last Saturday, Downey for Sparky and Rodgers for Watson. Watson was rumoured to have flu symptoms all week but along with Sparky he was on the bench. Three times in the first half keeper Wayne Drummond rescued us when the Swifts looked liked to score, but when the visitors won a penalty for a foul, we had depend on the benevolence of a former player, Mike Ward, when he screwed his spot-kick wide. I thought that this would be the 'wake-up call for United and we strung together a couple of attacks and Jenks missed a free header which would have given us an undeserved lead. A minute before Kane found Elvis in the box and he had laid the ball to Baker who blasted over the bar. But after these five minutes of urgency we went back into our shell and continued to let the visitors dictate the pace of the match.

It was no good looking at our bench for inspiration, for there was none to be had and I realised they were the tactics they were deploying. Conor Downey, nowhere near fitness, was a liability in midfield, where 9 times out of 10 he gave away possession. Every time the defence tried to clear the ball it was being driven back in again cause we were lying too deep and the Swifts defence just launched big high balls which we struggled to deal with. The visitors did have the ball in the net near halftime, but United were lucky to see the linesman flag go up and the strike was ruled out. When the 4th official signalled one minute of additional time I foolishly I thought to myself Roy must make changes here, surely he'll see that his tactics are not working, I was wrong.

2nd Half
United did make one change at halftime, taking off Rodgers and bringing on Watson, if this was due to injury or not I can't tell, but the tactics remained the same. Three minutes into the half United got a goal they scarcely deserved when a Costello shot from a corner, which seemed to going wide was steered into the net by Cutch. Surely this would change things I thought but no it didn't and United just continued to defend deep. At last Downey came off and Sparky came on, but we had been playing at half pace throughout and it was hard to lift it. The visitors took off a defender and brought on an attacker and still the tactics didn't change. In a last throw of the dice Elvis made way for Boyd and maybe I thought we can do it.

Referee Crangle warned Lavery after a late tackle on Archie and then when he got involved in an 'off the ball', he warned him again, surely he should booked him in the first instance and the second wouldn't have happened. With 10 minutes to go Archie and Lavery were in a race for the ball and Archie seemed to get there and clear his lines, but referee Crangle who was 30 yards from the incident penalised the United man for a foul on the edge of box. Up stepped Dermot McCaffrey to curl a left shot in at the far post to give the visitors a share of the spoils. Should young Drummond been able to save this shot, surely he had to trust the United wall to do it's job, but he had kept United in the match in the first half and I was not going to judge him too harshly. United 'huffed and puffed' pretending to go for the clincher, but it wasn't to be, it was just too little, too late and the match in a one all draw!

Drummond (7), Kane (5), Archie (5), Rodgers (6)(Sub: Watson 6,),Denver (6) Baker (4), Downey (4)(Sub: Sparky 5,), Jenks (6), Ally (5), Elvis (5)(Boyd 6,), Cutch (5)

Man of the match: Wayne Drummond

Away Glee!

2011-09-24T22:09:00.002+01:00

United continued their impressive away form with this a 4-2 win at the Oval against a poor Glentoran side. The United manger rung the changes, picking big Denver to partner Liam Watson at the centre of his defence and moving Archie to leftback. Sparky partnered Jenks in midfield and there was a surprise recall of Elvis Costello up front. United didn't offer much of a threat in the first half, playing with one man up front and allowing the home team to build from the back. Archie was having a torrid time at leftback and was lucky to survive a penalty appeal when he appeared to up-end Glens winger O'Hanlon. Time and again the Glens winger teased and tormented Archie and it looked like only a matter of time before the home team took the lead.

United goalkeeper, Wayne Drummond, playing his third match, was equal to a shot from from Ward of Glentoran, tipping it over the bar for a corner. On a rare breakaway Elvis got in a shot, but Morris in the home goal pushed it out. From a Carson corner Archie failed to challenge Gallagher and despite United claims for offside, Howland standing on the goal-line poked home to give his team the lead, much to the consternation of Drummond and his co-defenders the goal was allowed to stand. That goal came in the 35th minute and I couldn't see how United would turn this round. They did manage to mount an attack before the interval, but Morris in the Glens goal, saved smartly from Jenks.

2nd Half

The second half started like the first, with the home team dictating the play and it seemed as though United were quite content to let them. Fifteen mins into the half that suddenly changed and after Jenks had had a shot blocked, he found his fellow Scot, Cutch and United's leading marksman hammered the ball into the net. Ten minutes later Cutch fed Elvis and the big striker shrugged off a challenge, cut in on the by-line before finding Cutch's head with an inch perfect pass and the wee striker headed United to 2-1 lead. Glens made a substitution then taking off Hamilton and bringing Waterworth (who is known to United fans as the keeper wrecker), as the home manager needed to change things. Liam Watson, who had been a tower of strength in the United defence, picked up an injury and had to be substituted and the United bench to my mind made a crucial error, bringing on Downey to replace him, necessitating Sparky to take over defensive his duties.

Surely it would have been better to have used any of the two defenders on the defence, Vauls and Rodgers and let Sparky continue in his midfield role. As it was we seemed to lose focus and Waterworth out-sprinted big Denver and slipped past Drummond to bring the sides level again in the 77th minute. Roy Walker had seen enough and he replaced Sparky with Rodgers, although I felt aggrieved for Sparky who had done nothing wrong. I thought we would try and hold out for a draw, but Cutch and Jenks had other ideas. There seemed little danger when Cutch was found on the left flank, but the wee man beat a couple of markers and found his fellow Scot Jenks and he gleefully headed home to nudge the Sky Blues (playing in their away strip of white), back in front.

That goal came in the 81st minute and 3 minutes later Cutch won a tussle for the ball against the Glens centre half and held his nerve to slot the ball past Glens keeper Elliot Morris to make it four and grab his hat-trick in the process. Despite a few scares and some near misses United held on gamely for the last 6 minutes of normal time and the added 2 mins, to record their 4th straight win away from home, in this topsy turvy season. On the plus side we've scored 20 goals this season in the league, 15 in away matches and only conceding 8, of the home form, I'll not mention that, some things are best left unsaid!

Drummond (7), Kane (7), Archie (6), Watson (8)(Sub: Downey 6,),Denver (7), Baker (6), Sparky (7)(Sub: Rodgers 7,), Jenks (8), Ally (7), Elvis (7), Cutch (8)

Man of the match: Gary McCutcheon (Cutch)

Turned Corner!

2011-09-20T23:21:00.002+01:00

United showing only two changes from the team that disgraced themselves on Saturday, Sparky in for Jenks and Carson in for Smith, were still good enough to beat 2nd division Chimney Corner. The back four who coudn't come to grips with Coleraine, were rarely troubled against the Antrim team and three of them, Vauls, Watson and Kane were among the goals and I was singing their praises for I couldn't see any way our forwards were going to score. If you weren't at the match and you heard Cutch scored two goals, you might be forgiven for thinking he was on top form, nothing could be further from the truth. I personally thought Baker and Cutch couldn't be any worse than they were on Saturday, but they proved me wrong.

Baker headed one golden opportunity against the bar and when he was clean through on another occasion, you could see was looking for somebody to pass it to, not what you want to see from a striker. Cutch didn't have clear shot on goal till about an hour had elapsed and then drove straight at the Corner keeper. But it was his passing or to more precise the lack of it that noticeable, the number of chances he had to set something up or set somebody up and then muffed his chances are too numerous to keep track of. United got off to a dream start on 3 mins when Ally and Vauls combined down the left flank and Vauls cross-cum-shot appeared to elude the visiting keeper and crept in at the far post or was there a deflection, I'm not sure, but Vauls got the credit. He tried to repeat the process another 3 times but was out of luck.

After 20 mins Ally found Cutch with a short corner and I feared the worst, but Cutch's misplaced shot was headed in at the back post by Liam Watson. Rory Carson, one of the United changes got injured and had to be replaced with Eamon Murray and as usual it took us 5 minutes to get the sub on, so unprofessional. After a few mishaps Murray found his feet and he should of scored, but he missed the target from 20 yards. Worse was to follow this time from local lad Sparky, who somehow lifted the ball over the bar when unmarked at the edge of the six-yard box. The Corner team was allowing United to play and they stroked ball along the back four, but when the forwards got hold of it it just broke down.

2nd Half
Big Denver came on at halftime to replace Vauls with Archie moving to leftback and I immediately thought Walker was protecting his lead. As well as Cutch and Baker, Conor Downey was not at his best and the rumour doing the rounds about him not attending training appears to be true, he looks decidedly unfit. When our manager took Downey off and brought on Cookie Munster it seemed like a defensive move, but actually the big defender was comfortable in midfield and he made us tick. In the 56 minute, Cookie found Sparky with a delightful pass in the box and the Broughshane man found the net for United's 3rd. A minute later Tony Kane looked up and seeing the keeper off his line he coolly chipped him from fully 30 yards. Kane and the revitalised Murray were a thorn in the flesh of the visiting defence with neat passing movements. Cookie should been on the score-sheet himself but somehow missed the target from a few yards out from a rare pass from Cutch.

Cutch, who seemed to be out of touch got United's fifth goal in 74 minute, he dribbled the ball along the six-yard box before finding the net with a left foot shot and six minutes later he scored from a penalty given for handball to make it six. Toy Kane, who was in the running for my 'man of the match, blotted his copybook with an 'over the top' challenge on fullback McVicker and was rightly booked and he could've been sent off, it was that bad. On 88 minutes, Eamon Murray looked like getting the goal he so richly deserved but when through on goal, the Corner keeper saved with his knees and Murray's subsequent follow-up was inadvertently turned into his own net by defender Ryles. Four minutes later referee Weatherall blew the final whistle, were through to the next round I thought. We turned the Corner, but we've another corner to turn and that might prove a little more difficult than this walk in the park!

Drummond (7), Kane (6), Vauls (6)(Sub: Denver 6,), Watson (6), Archie (6), Carson (5),(Sub: Murray 7,), Downey (4)(Sub: Cookie 7,), Sparky (6) Ally (6), Baker (4), Cutch (6)

Man of the match: Eamon Murray

Our Fault!

2011-09-17T23:15:00.004+01:00

United manager Roy Walker, writing in today's programme laid the blame for United's poor home form at the feet of United's long suffering supporters. I used to marvel years ago at Manchester United's Roy Keane, who would berate his team-mates for not trying hard enough, therefore deflecting criticism for his own poor form. So I and the United fans tried show positivity today, but it was blooming hard I can tell you and done no good. In fact on today's showing we should've booed them from start to finish and we would've been within our rights, they were that bad. I was amazed by Roy's team selection, picking the 'fat and slow' Conor Downey, ahead of lithe and speedy Sparky. I could tell Conor Downey has put on about stone from our first match of season, so why can't Roy. The answer is Roy only sees what he wants to see and Downey is one of his men.

Six minutes was on the clock when the United defence failed to deal with a long throw-in (not for the first time in the last 3 seasons) and they stood idly by and let Curtis Allen pick his spot. We bounced back almost immediately, when Archie of all people good his head to Ally Teggart's corner kick. That was as good as it got for United and we were giving a football lesson from the Coleraine scum. The United defence committed another defensive clanger on 21 minutes, when Tony Kane instead of booting the ball into touch, tried to hit across his own box, hit his own man with the ball, the ball fell to kindly to a scum player who set up Leon Knight to give his team a 2-1 lead. Somehow we survived to halftime without losing any more goals, but in my heart of hearts, I knew we had only delayed the inevitable.

2nd Half
United were being over-ran in midfield but Roy was reluctant to change and he when he did finally act, I got the impression he was trying to keep the score down, rather try to get something going forward. This was epitomised by taking off Mike Smith and replacing him with Gavin Taggart, a real negative move. The scum increased their lead, not with a penalty as UTV, BBC and Carling Premiership are inferring, but with Curtis Allen getting a deflection on a shot from some other scum player. Next Walker took off Downey bringing on Eamon Murray, but it was too little too late. Débutante keeper Wayne Drummond, had made two brilliant stops when the United back four went to sleep, but he even couldn't stop Knight notching the scum's fourth goal on 66 mins.

Roy reaction was to take Dick Vauls off, as if he was responsible for the terrible holes in our defence and bring on big Denver and Archie moved to leftback. If this was supposed to plug the gaps, it didn't and in fact they just got greater and greater. We actually carved out a chance in the 80 minute, but when clean through, Gavin Taggart, could only lift his shot over the bar. Drummond made another two stops from Scullion but the former Glens man completed the rout in the 88th minute to make the score 5-1, a dismal result for a dismal day. Although United were booed off the field I didn't see anyone calling for Roy Walker's head and I think it's a sad reflection on how low we have sunk, we think that's our lot now!

Drummond (6), Kane (4), Vauls (4)(Sub: Denver 5,), Watson (4), Archie (5), Baker (4), Jenks (4), Downey (4)(Sub: Murray 5,), Ally (5), Smith (5)(Taggart 4,), Cutch (4)

Man of the match: Wayne Drummond

I.F.A. Triumphant!

2011-09-03T22:31:00.003+01:00

Linfield are the I.F.A., Linfield are the I.F.A., so goes the supporters chant and it was never better illustrated than at the Showgrounds today. When the teams took the field after the halftime interval referee Hunter (or Linfield's 12th man), had a word with the 'fat baldy controller' and assured him the result was surely his. He made sure he fulfilled his promise giving a decision, which is best dubious and at the worst downright cheating. Archie Stewart went for a tackle in the box, the ball got caught between his legs and the referee gave an indirect free to the I.F.A., which they duly scored, job done. I have followed football for nigh on fifty years and every time I've seen this incident on the football field, it's resulted in a bounce ball, referee Hunter (or as I call him cheat), chose to go against the rules of the game.

It's was obvious from the start we were not going to get a level playing field, as Linfield were allowed to take the free-kicks and throw-ins from wherever they pleased and the referee or linesmen couldn't care less. As expected United manager Roy Walker gave débuts to his two most recent signings, Liam Watson and Dick Vauls, Tony Kane returned at rightback and Ross Black moved up to wide midfield. Gavin Taggart retained his place alongside Jenks and Sparky made a welcome return to midfield. Disaster struck for United prior to the kick-off, when joint top scorer Jordan Baker got injured in the warm-up and had to be replaced by Elvis, to partner Cutch, leaving United with only four subs to pick from. I think it was fair to say that United had the better of the early exchanges for the champions kept playing the 'long ball' and their fans showed their disgust for this fare with lowest travelling crowd I've seen for this fixture, 1160 souls.

The I.F.A. bring usually the biggest crowds at the Showgrounds, but this was paltry, roll on the home match with the Glens is all I can say. The cheat set out his stall early on, when the I.F.A. wanted to take a dubious free-kick from the wrong place United Tony Kane collided with an I.F.A. player and got booked (he was lucky, the cheat sent him off last time for going for the ball., but that's another story). Contrast this to when I.F.A. player McAllister elbowed Liam Watson (a sending offence), the cheat didn't take any action. I been saying in my column that we don't do the basics, don't mark throw-ins and don't defend set-pieces well. Well we're getting better at set-pieces, there was only one dicey situation today, when I.F.A. Gault got a free header, but missed the target.

Dwayne Nelson made a smart save from a Garret free-kick and at the other end no United player could get on the end of Ross Black cross. United were playing all right but then disaster struck, they failed to deal with a through ball and the ball fell invitingly to Carvill on the edge of box and he scored a beauty in the top corner beating Nelson all ends up. United didn't let their heads drop and Jenks had bad luck on two occasions, first when he picked up a loose ball and shot goalwards with keeper Blaney scrambling, but just missing the post and then on the stroke of halftime, he met a Ross Black corner with his head, only to have headed off the line, although it looked like the defender was behind the goal-line, but you never going to get decision like that against the I.F.A.

2nd Half
United were under the cosh it's true to say for most of this half, but they did have breakaways, but didn't make the most of them. The linesman at the Farm Lodge end flagged for I.F.A. Patterson being offside, but got a telling off from the cheat and decided to keep his flag down from then on. This should resulted in a goal for the I.F.A. when Carvill, at least 3 yards offside, got a free run-in to the United goal but his shot bounced off the post. Roy Walker decided to make a change and it was obvious to me who he should taken off, Elvis or Gavin Taggart, but surprised me by taking off Ross Black and bringing on Mike Smith 2. In a rare United attack Sparky made his way into the opposition box, where he was blatantly obstructed, but the cheat waved play on.

The United manager then took Taggart off, replacing him with Eamon Murray, but it was the I.F.A. who still looked the more dangerous. They should've scored when Rory Patterson found himself in the box, but his thunderbolt shot just crashed off the bar. Was our luck in, could we get back into the game, could we somehow carve the I.F.A. defence open. Due to injury to Dick Vauls, Denver had come on, with Archie moving to leftback, but we were still well in the game and we were starting to believe that we could get something out of it. The the 'fat baldly controller' played his trump card and the cheat gave an indirect free-kick. Before the kick could be taken Dwayne Nelson rushed from his goal to make sure the kick was taken from the right place and the cheat promptly booked the United player. All you can do as a player in that situation is to hit hard and low and Garret of the I.F.A. did that and hit off Denver and into the net.

The fat baldy controller gave the cheat the thumbs up sign and that I thought was that. I must admit I felt numb I couldn't take in what I just witnessed, it was the second time in less than 24 hours I was struck dumb, the first time was when Steve Davis struck that a disastrous back-pass against Serbia, but this time was different, this time I knew we had been cheated and there's not a damn thing we can do about it. I felt sorry for the whole team, but especially Archie, who had done nothing wrong and Denver who had got the last touch. But we weren't finished yet and when Archie overlapped and sent a cross to far post, Jenks got on the end to send a looping header which eluded Blaney and Cutch, a mile offside, headed the ball into the net. Could we rescue a point I wondered, but I knew the answer immediately I posed the question, we don't have the players hungry enough to do what needs to done, in short we have no team ethos, we have no get and go!

Nelson (7), Kane (7), Vauls (7)(Sub: Denver,7) , Watson (8), Archie (7), Sparky (7), Jenks (8), Gavin (6)(Sub: Eamon 6,), Black (6)(Sub: Smith 6, , Elvis (5), Cutch (7)

Man of the match: Alan Jenkins

Our Nero!

2011-08-31T08:47:00.002+01:00

Historians tell us that Roman Emperor Nero sat and fiddled while Rome burned, no he didn't play the violin, he just sat in his throne and did nothing. When Ballymena were losing to Carrick Rangers last night, Roy Walker sat in his box and did nothing, the 'body language' said it all (or lack of it), Roy and his back-room staff were devoid of ideas and resigned themselves to yet another home defeat. Sky Blue Sport urged him to try the two new defenders, Watson and Vauls at some stage during the proceedings. But Roy completely ignored our suggestion, picking the same side that so unconvincingly won at Donegal Celtic and when we were chasing the game couldn't bring on either of them and move another defender forward. On this showing, he obviously doesn't care about the 'long-suffering' Sky Blue supporters and I think his time is up.

We lost two nil and that was hard to take, but even harder to take was the way we played. We kept knocking the long ball up even though the Carrick defence won everything in the air, no idea on how to break the stalemate. Jenks, who has relinquished the Captaincy, isn't the player he was purported to be and it is hard to justify his boat fare over on his displays so far. United are certainly living to the Ballymena 'High' nickname, with the third highest goals for total, but on the reverse we also have third highest goals against column, for the record 10 for and 11 against. This makes for disgraceful reading and we are where we belong in the league table, in the bottom six and I think on this showing we have further to fall.
Our joint leading goalscorers missed two sitters in the first half with free headers, the Cutch one was bad enough, straight at the keeper, but Baker done everything right, stealing a march on his marker to get a free header on Ally Teggart's free-kick, but headed over with the goal at his mercy.

That was as good as it got, Jenks forced Keenan, the Carrick, into a save and despite forcing several corners, they were 'bread and butter' for the Carrick defence. United paid dearly for this benevolence in front of goal when Carrick were awarded a free-kick about 30 yards from goal. The United defensive wall let the kick by former United defender Davey McAlinden through their legs and Nelson in the Ballymena goal could do nothing about it. Carrick had purpose about them and they had subjected our defence to what they don't like with long throw-ins and we were panicky. Luckily we survived to halftime without conceding any more goals, foolishly thinking Roy would do something about in his halftime team-talk.

2nd half
We took the field with the same players and tried to play the same dross, which had little or no effect and it was obvious a change would have to be made. Chris Rodgers filling at rightback as Tony Kane serves the last of two match ban and Eamon Murray, not back his best yet, made way for Costello and the fit again Sparky. It really was like for like, Costello is useless in the air and he has singularly failed to fulfil the promise of his first match in United jersey. I was personally worried about Archie and his failure to cope with the Carrick number 9, but Roy couldn't obviously substitute his 'golden boy'. He had no qualms about sacking Gazza in the close season, but couldn't see that Archie was struggling as he has done all season. The crowd were getting restless, the Ballymena bench just sat in their box and you could see the defence panicking every time Carrick attacked.

Then it happened, a Carrick forward broke away down the right, Archie completely missed his tackle, the forward cut-in, his cross deflected into the the path of Heatly who had the easiest task of making the score 2-0. We were a beaten team but credit to the lads they kept on trying, unlike their management team who sat and fiddled. We had only used two subs, but the bench were devoid of ideas. I must mention an unsavoury incident which no way was a reflection on the match as a whole, when the whole-hearted Gavin Taggart, tackled a Carrick player in a midfield collision and the player started yelling like his leg was broke and then immediately got up when he saw Gavin got booked, this has got no place in football and the referee should have surely taken his name for play-acting, but referee Courtenay (Ham-Shank), took no action.

Nelson (6), Rodgers (5)( Sub: Sparky 6,), Cookie (6), Archie (5), R. Black (6), Murray (5)(Sub: Elvis 5,), Jenks (5), G. Taggart (5), Ally (6), Cutch (5), Baker (5)

Man of the match: Alan Teggart

Late Show!

2011-08-26T23:43:00.002+01:00

United left it late to snatch victory in the last minute of normal time by the 3-2, at Suffolk Road, the home of the D.C. Manager Walker, who signed two more defenders this week, restored number 2 keeper Dwayne Nelson, but on this showing we still need a reliable keeper. Ross Black came back into the leftback role and Cookie Munster was left to form a partnership with Archie, with Rodgers switching to rightback in place of the suspended Tony Kane. Gavin Teggart got the nod to partner Jenks in midfield, with Ally and Eamon on the wings. As expected Elvis, was relegated to subs bench and Cutch and Baker were the strikers. I was wondering how the new defence would cope with pressure but got my answer in just 8 minutes. The linesman flagged for a D.C. player in an offside position, but referee Ross Dunlop completely ignored him and instead gave foul against United at the halfway line. When the free kick was taken, the United defence allowed D.C. forward McAllister, time to turn and beat Dwayne from the edge of the box, with the ball just going in under the bar.

United began to exert some pressure of their own after this set-back, but weren't helped by referee Dunlop, ignoring a blatant push on Cutch. Despite forcing a couple of corners United weren't able to make former keeper 'Goosey' Robinson into a worthwhile save. Eamon Murray was showing some nice touches, but United seemed unable to find the telling pass that would unlock the home defence. Ross Black thought he had, but Goosey earned his wages tipping the ball over the bar, but the referee and linesman give a goal-kick. This seemed to upset the United midfield and the defence was lucky to scramble the ball for a corner. The corner eluded the attackers and fell nicely to Ally, who in turn delivered a long pass to Cutch on the left wing. The wee Scotsman beat his marker with consummate ease and then crossed for his strike partner Baker to score with a bullet of a header, leaving Goosey no chance. Both teams tried to get gain the advantage after this but they had to settle for a share of spoils at halftime.

2nd Half
This was better half from United and the home team were pinned in their half for most it but were always dangerous on breakaways. Eamon Murray, back to his best, had one scintillating run when he beat five men, but Baker couldn't supply the finishing touch. As so often happens in matches it was the home team who scored in the 57 minute and the United defence were at sixes and sevens and McAllister the eventual scorer was allowed run 10 yards before curing right-foot shot past Nelson, a great goal, but the marking was non-existent. Back came United and when Cutch won a foul on the edge of the box, about 10 yards from the right touchline, Ross Black curled a majestic free-kick into the top corner to tie the scores with 23 minutes to play. United then had a couple of lucky let-offs, one when Dwayne dropped the ball and a home player hurriedly screwed his shot wide and another when McAllister was bearing down on goal and Dwayne drove him wide and we managed to clear the danger.

It was obvious a change would have to be made and Eamon was substituted by Elvis, although the D.C. announcer got it wrong and told us that in fact Eamon Murray had come on and Jordan Baker had went off, lucky for us, he was wrong. With Elvis coming on, Baker moved to the right and Elvis up front so releasing Cutch to do his roaming role. United kept pressing and a Cutch header was clutched by Goosey and when 2 minutes later Elvis found himself through on goal he scuffed his shot straight at Goosey. United were justly rewarded for their endeavours on the stroke of the 90 minute, when Cutch beat his man on the right and his cross was headed clear and fell nicely for Baker and he struck the half volley from 25 yards into the top corner of the net. The United players and the bench were ecstatic and they all piled on the prostrate Jordan on the D.C. pitch, I only wish I could have joined in.

We all had to endure the 3 minutes of added time the referee saw fit to add on, but think they were only 3 substitutions made so surely it should been only 2. Dwayne tried to make it as interesting as possible with a couple of kicks out of his hands that were nothing short of pathetic. Despite these mishaps the final whistle sounded and United's away record is 100%, played two, won two, that's all well, but our next 3 matches are at home and that's a different kettle of fish!

Nelson (5), Rodgers (6), R. Black (7), Cookie (7), Archie (6), Eamon (6)(Sub: Elvis 6,), Jenks (6), G. Taggart (5), Ally (7), Cutch (8), Baker (8)

Man of the match: Gary McCutcheon

Schoolboy Errors!

2011-08-21T10:53:00.003+01:00

We are sorry to say 'we told you so', Crusaders just took 9 minutes to expose us defensive frailties at set-pieces, it was embarrassing to watch. The manager was true to his word, he dropped Ross Black and Cookie Munster and brought in Tony Kane and Denver Gage. But he was let down by the players he didn't drop, Archie, Rodgers and keeper Kerr, on this showing they're not worthy of their place. We already had a scare when the linesman at the Fisherwick end missed an offside, one of many and a Crues player missed a sitter in the first 5 minutes. Worse was to follow in the ninth minute, as McKeown of Crusaders hung a long throw-in to our six-yard box and you could see the tension on our defenders faces. Not only did nobody challenge, when the ball dropped they stood and watched as Timmy Adamson stroked the ball home. I was left to wonder why the keeper didn't come and punch the ball, but I got my answer later in the match as came out to corner-kick and landed a 'powder puff' punch to the ball which only cleared the 18 yard box.

We are regretfully sorry to say you 'we' told you so again about this teams 'benevolent' attitude of letting teams cross the ball. Why oh why would you do that, it beggars belief. On the one hand you got a keeper who won't leave his line and the other hand you got defenders who give the opposing forwards acres of space. There seemed little danger when McBride of Crusaders overlapped in the left flank, but Jordan Baker didn't stop him and he cut-in picked out Jordan Owens, who was completely unmarked about 12 yards from goal and he drove a bullet header to the corner of the net. Kerr, who stayed on his line and rightly so in this instance, should surely done better I thought, but maybe I'm being harsh. That goal come in the 31st minute and I'll admit I was fearful then we were going to get a hiding and the linesman at the Fisherwick end was making me nervous with not 'flagging' for offsides. Looking at our bench for encouragement was fruitless, Roy Walker contribution was to berate big Denver for backing off Adamson, never a confidence booster in my eyes.

Little was seen of our attack, Ally Teggart had a couple of runs but instead going on and shooting himself, he chose to pass. The best chance came not from open play, but from a free-kick taken by Tony Kane, which former United keeper Sean O'Neill diverted for a corner. With halftime approaching the linesman at the Fisherwick end 'boobed' again and this time we paid the ultimate penalty as Crues Morrow at least 10 yards offside, was allowed to run into our box and beat Kerr easily. I was left to wonder whether the linesman was confused by the fact that a Crues player was 40 yards offside, not taking part in the play and he thought he was 'playing' Morrow 'on', or was he just plain incompetent. Needless to say the Crues defence took no chances with him in the 2nd half and there was only one offside and he got that wrong.

2 Half

There were two incidents of note in the second half, one when we were about to take Elvis off to be replaced by Boyd and Rodgers went down with a head injury and to be replaced with Cookie Munster. Boyd, for all his trying, wasn't able to make an impression and I feel he needs not to be a target man, but feed off a target man, but what do I know. Looking at our bench there was no inspiration to be had there as Roy and his staff just kept their bums firmly on their seats. Ally Teggart was cautioned for a foul, his first, but the referee just wanted to book somebody but chickened 'out' soon after when he failed to observe the full letter of the law. United's best move of the entire match saw Jenks chase through ball into the box and when he was about to pull the 'trigger' Crues keeper O'Neill took his legs from under him. United fans and their players looked on in disbelief as nothing was given, surely it was a penalty and the keeper should been sent-off, but referee Carvill just ignored the incident.

The match was over as a contest after that and truth to say it was over as a contest when the second goal went in. There's no spirit in this team, no heart, no pride, the list is endless. We are in mid-table at present and we'll have a hell of job just staying there on the showing of our first three games, but one swallow doesn't make a summer, but I'm really worried about the attitude of our management. If things are going badly, they must remain positive at all times and offer encouragement. I wonder if Roy actually has the 'stomach' for the job, it's not going to be easy, but when it's tough, the 'tough' get going and we need to really 'tough' now!

Kerr (5), Kane (6), Archie (4), Rodgers (4) (Sub: Cookie 6,), Denver (5), Baker (5), Rory (5)(Sub: Woods 6,), Jenks (5), Teggart (6), Cutch (5), Elvis (5), (Sub: Boyd 5,)

Man of match: Ally Teggart

Black Saturday!

2011-08-13T22:51:00.002+01:00

No I haven't got my dates mixed up, I do realise that the real 'black' Saturday is two weeks away, but today we had our very own 'Black' Saturday. I refer course to United players Aaron & Ross Black, Aaron got himself sent off and Ross back-heeled ball which he should've booted away and presented Glenavon with a lifeline, which they surely took. It was also a 'Black day' for returning hero Kevin 'killer' Kelbie, when he 'late tackled' Mark 'Sparky' Surgenor, in full view of the main stand and referee Smith and his assistant. It should've been an automatic red card, but referee Smith added insult to injury by letting Kelbie off with a caution. Sparky meanwhile wasn't so lucky, he was stretchered off, with a suspected broken leg or at best a ligament injury, which will keep out the game for months and cause considerable pain, Kelbie on the other hand seemed to think it was a laugh.

United manager Roy Walker had brought in two defenders to his starting line-up and made three positional changes. He brought in Davey 'cookie' Munster to partner Archie, who had started at leftback last Saturday, moved Rodgers to rightback to cover for the suspended Kane and moved Sparky into centre midfield for the injured Conor Downey. We got off to a dream start, taking the lead in two minutes from a free-kick. Archie delivered it, Jordan Baker headed to Cutch and the wee man slammed it into the net. Three minutes later we were ecstatic, when Cutch fed Teggart and from his pin point cross Baker doubled our lead. Suddenly we were leading 2-0 and we'd hardly strung two passes together. In the first Glenavon attack the eagle eyed linesman held his flag up for offside and I thought to myself we had got an official who up 'to the mark', I couldn't have been more wrong.

That linesman never got a decision right after that, in their next attack there was two Glenavon men 5 yards offside, but he kept his flag down. The visitors got three corners that should have been by balls and if there was a doubt about a decision they got it. I have to say at this point that the visitors may have been two goals down, but they were the better team by far. United struggled in defence and especially at set-pieces and I thought it's only matter of time before our goal was breeched. Elvis Costello, who had the man of match last Saturday, was having a 'stinker' and how he wasn't substituted is beyond my comprehension, as the Glenavon defenders had him in their pockets. After we had been pinned in our half for 25 minutes we finally broke and Jenks was tripped in the box and a penalty was awarded.

Nobody seemed willing to take on the job of taking the kick, which makes me think it wasn't decided before hand, but Cutch had the 'guts' to take on the responsibility. Visiting keeper Coleman, dived the wrong way and we were 3-0 ahead. But to their credit the visitors kept plugging away and after 37 minutes all my fears were realised when from a corner kick, visiting central defender Haughey rose unchallenged to head the ball into the net, despite us having every man back. Two minutes later the linesman awarded the visitors a corner when it was an obvious by ball and when the defence only partly cleared the ball, we had nobody up front to receive it and the linesman missed another offside and it fell nicely to Kelbie and he rattled the ball into the net to make 3-2.

But Kevin wasn't finished, no not by a long chalk, when Sparky picked up the ball near the halfway line and played a pass, Killer Kelbie came in with a scything tackle which left poor Sparky writhing in agony and Kelbie added insult to injury by sneering. The man with the big reputation, Aaron Black, came on to replace Sparky and he was only on the pitch two minutes when he attempted almost a carbon copy of the Kelbie foul and promptly got himself booked, although the visiting player certainly made a meal of it. The referee added 3 minutes of injury to the proceedings and though we had lost impetus, we still clung on to our lead 3-2 lead when the halftime whistle sounded.

2nd Half
Three minutes into the half Aaron Black came in with a two-footed tackle and that was end of the match for him, a second yellow leading to red. The match was really turned on it's head now and it was a matter of United trying to hold out and the visitors trying everything to break us down. Midway through the half we had a huge slice of luck when a shot from a Glenavon player come back off the crossbar with the keeper beaten all ends up. On the odd occasions when we did start to mount an attack, the ball would eventually find it's way to Elvis and then the move would peter out. Surely Roy would see that and take him off and bring on fresh legs in the shape off Aaron Boyd. With 20 minutes left we were ready to make a substitution but it wasn't to be Boyd, no in fact it was Rory Carson getting ready.

I reasoned that we were going push Baker up front and move Carson on to the wing, imagine my dismay when we came to make the substitution and Ally Teggart's number was held up. Carson took up a central midfield role and Elvis went to the wing where he was even more crap. I knew we would get one chance at goal and if we take it the points were ours and lo and behold we did get that chance. Well it really was only a half chance, but it was a chance. The ball was played up to Cutch and he got the better of his marker but elected to try to chip the keeper and he missed. Surely it would it have been better to try a shot, at least that way the keeper has to earn his keep (pardon the pun).

But it was mostly backs to the wall for we had decided to let them have space in their own half and despite a few scares, it was working very well. Now call me old-fashioned, but I think when your reduced to ten men, you have go to three at the back, four in midfield and two strikers that are prepared to run their socks off, that way you give the opposition something to think about. But I say it was working well but then disaster struck 2 minutes from normal time. We seemed to have dealt with the initial attack on our left flank and Ross Black whether wanting to impress tried a back-heel, instead slogging the ball out and Glenavon seized on the opportunity and Henderson tied the scores up at 3-3. To say I was gutted was to make an understatement, I felt sick to the pit of stomach. I endured the two minutes of normal time and 3 minutes of stoppage and went down to 'boo' Killer Kelbie off, but it left a sour taste in my mouth, for it my 'hearts of hearts' I know we were damn lucky to get any points, in short we were never at the races!

Kerr (6), Rodgers (8), R. Black (5), Cookie (7), Archie (6), Baker (8) Sparky (6)(Sub: A. Black, 4,), Jenks (6). Teggart (7)(Sub: Carson 6,), Cutch (8), Elvis (5)

Man of Match: Jordan Baker

Bloody Marvellous!

2011-08-06T22:24:00.005+01:00

United started their pursuit of the Gibson cup today, with a resounding 4-1 victory over the team managed by former United custodian Tommy Wright, Lisburn Distillery. We were charged the full admission price of £10 for a ground that's definitely sub-standard in regard to the comfort of spectators, but we didn't mind. If this was an example of how this United team are going to play this season, they'll be a delight to watch. Manager Roy Walker definitely sprung a surprise in team selection, picking Chris Rodgers to partner Sparky and leaving Ross Black on the bench with Archie filling the leftback role. Aaron Kerr got the nod for the keepers jersey and the rest of the team was that, that started in our last friendly match against Ballymoney United. United nearly got off to the worst possible start as the home team opening the scoring in a blistering start, only for the goal to ruled out for an offside infringement.

New signing Ally Teggart first touch, saw him give the ball away, but in a piece of irony his next involvement brought a roar from United fans, heralding the first goal of this season in the 10th minute. There didn't seem little danger when Cutch lost possession about 30 yards from goal, but when the Whites Aaron Callaghan failed to clear his lines, the alert Teggart intercepted the ball, strode for goal and neatly tucked away his first goal in a United shirt, despite a despairing dive from home keeper Brennan. United weren't going to sit back and continued to take the game to the home team, with 'Elvis' Costello and Jordan Baker combining well down the right. New team Captain Alan Jenkins just flashed a shot wide and then got on the end of Cutch header, but could only force the ball past the post.

United looked well in control but there had a been few scares at the back, with Tony Kane giving former United winger David Cushley too much room. Eventually we were made to pay for this benevolence, for when Cushley was found by a free-kick, his goal bound header was brilliantly tipped away by keeper Kerr, but Whites player Ligget was on hand to force home the equalising goal, despite the attention of Chris Rodgers. That goal came in the 34th minute but United replied almost instantly, in the 38th minute to be precise, when Elvis forced his way past his marker on the left and laid on a perfect pass for Cutch to slide the ball home to give the Sky Blues the lead once more. As United threatened to take control, Baker was unlucky to see his header clip the bar after a nod on from Jenks. Despite referee Hunter adding on 2 minutes of stoppage time there was no further scoring and United were warmly applauded off at the half.

2nd Half

Ally Teggart should made it three, after two minutes had elapsed in the 2nd period, but he decided to try a chip instead of blasting the ball for the target and cleared the crossbar. But United weren't be denied long and got a penalty in the 52nd minute and sad to say, Elvis missed the target completely, so our penalty woes continue, so unprofessional. Cutch then messed up after exchanging passes with Jenks, instead of just blasting ball at the target, he chose to try an audacious chip which cleared the crossbar, yet another chance went abegging. The home team was trying to get a foothold in this match but they were rocked back on their heels by the goal which secured the points for United. This was the goal of the game for me and my 'man of the match', Elvis, had a huge hand in and it came with 64 minutes on the clock. Not for the first time he found himself out on the right wing and after a bit of wing wizardry he put over a gem of a cross and Jordan Baker threw himself at the ball and headed it into the net.

It was all over bar the shouting and there was plenty of that, with the United fans bursting into song. When Cutch lost possession in the 77 minute there seemed little danger but Elvis chased the ball to to right corner flag and his cross found the wee man lurking at the far post and his looping header found the target to make the score 4-1. Manager Walker decided to change things here and took off Conor Downey and brought Davey Munster which necessitated Sparky slotting into into midfield. With 3 minutes left on the clock, Tony Kane, was adjudged by referee Hunter to commit a serious foul and he administered a straight red card. This was in contrast to the incident in the first half when Elvis was floored by a deliberate elbow, the referee on that occasion merely told the culprit off.

This sending off meant United had to see out 3 minutes of normal time and the obligatory 3 mins of stoppage time with 10 men. To help with this Jordan Baker was substituted, with Ross Black taking his place. United easily seen out the last 6 minutes and when the referee blew the final whistle I could hardly contain myself with excitement. We had won the first match of the season for the first time in 14 years and not only win it, we won it with style. Roll on the next match I say, but definitely do a bit of working on your penalty kickers, this benevolence has to stop!

Kerr (6), Kane (6), Archie (7), Rodgers (8), Sparky (7), Baker (8), (Sub: R. Black,6), Downey (7)(Sub: Munster, 7), Jenks (8), Teggart (8), Cutch (8),
Elvis (9)

Man of match: Elvis Costello

Muk Luck!

2011-04-02T23:15:00.002+01:00

United almost survived a scum onslaught at the windy home of the Windy Hall ewes last night. Yes it would have been an undeserved win, but then again we've been on the receiving end of those many a time against the scum. United for once started brightly, roared on by a bigger than expected travelling support, we are gluttons for punishment. Rory Carson, getting back to full fitness, almost broke the deadlock after 15 minutes but screwed his shot wide of the post. Two minutes later the Sky Blues did go in front when Cutch found the over-lapping Mikey and his hard shot found the net despite fat Davey's understudy, Gavin Cullen, getting a hand to the ball. United tended to over-elaborate thereafter instead of taking the simple tactic of pass and run, while Gavin Taggart continues to struggle in midfield and for some reason known only to himself he'd rather pass back than forward.

Tragedy struck for United when scum player Harkness had to go off injured to be replaced by the 'giant' well tanned Mukendi. Mukendi had been a real thorn in the flesh for the Sky Blues in their previous two games against the Coleraine scum and tonight was to be no exception. United came within a whisker of taking the lead when a Colligan cross was sliced by a scum defender and was goal-bound until Cullen somehow managed to claw it out and United's appeal that it had crossed the goal-line was dismissed by referee Weatherall. At the other end United keeper Ryan Brown fumbled an innocuous shot when pressurised by a scum player, but luckily he recovered to smother the loose ball.

2nd half
The second half was one of relentless scum pressure and rare United breakaway's which with a bit of care could've wrapped up the points. The United goal was having a charmed life as our defence appeared to be at times non-existent, but still got away with it. In fact they should've doubled their advantage when after a Colligan shot was blocked, Cutch blasted wildly over the bar with the goal at his mercy. The scum made a telling substitution midway through the half, bringing on Stephen Carson, while United took off Rory Carson, with Aaron Boyd replacing him. This substitution meant a re-shuffle for United with Sparky dropping back to midfield and Boyd partnering Cutch up front. The scum took full advantage of United's temporary defensive lapse when Carson found himself in acres of space, when Mikey and Sparky both tried to cover the same man (but unfortunately not Carson) and his cross was headed in by Mukendi to level the scores'

The scum looked to have taken the points 3 mins later but somehow Boyce, unmarked in the six-yard box managed to push his shot wide with Brown helpless. With the United defence still in disarray Scullion missed a sitter when the ball fell to him when Brown parried a Boyce shot. As United swept forward they won a free kick about 30 yards from goal, but Caff's free cleared the bar. Boyd, a disappointment on this showing, did manage a shot on target, but Cullen saved easily. United almost regained the lead near the end when a Caff free was fumbled by Cullen but there was no United player on hand to supply the finishing touch. Yet another two points slipped through United's fingers and still no sign of a reliable striker on the horizon!

Brown (6), Mikey (7), Archie (6), Albert (7), Gazza (6), Rory (7)(Sub: A. Boyd 5,), Caff (7), Taggart (4), Colligan (7), Sparky (5), Cutch (5)

Man of the match: Lee Colligan

Second Rate!

2011-03-27T15:50:00.002+01:00

United, still mathematically with a chance of making the much vaunted 'top six', produced yet another almost predictable 'sub-standard' performance at the Marshes. If a stranger had entered the ground and was told that one of the two teams was chasing a victory to have any chance of a 'top six' finish, he definitely wouldn't have opted for the team in red. So inept were United that we had to wait until the 25th minute before they managed a shot on target. These sort of performances or in reality non-performances, are becoming the trade mark of manager Roy Walker's reign, why it happens is a real poser but a solution must be found if United aren't to continue to be a mediocre side.

The United manager, who must have known we were in dire need of a fairly comprehensive victory, chose to give a start to reserve player Mike Smith 2, when we surely needed the wily (if unpredictable) and 2nd top scorer, Eamon Murray in our starting line-up, but what do I know. Caff, having served his one game suspension was returned to midfield alongside Taggart, with Rory on the right, the rest of the team were on the usual lines, with Sparky continuing up front with Cutch and on-loan striker Aaron Boyd on the bench. As it turned out a United win would have been immaterial as Portadown allowed Lisburn Distillery to beat them and therefore quashed any chance of United making the top six.

The fact that our dear rivals, the Coleraine scum lost and dropped into the bottom six is of little consequence and in fact means United have two away games in their last five games, instead of the one, if Distillery had remained in the bottom half. A trip to Ballycastle Road is rarely looked forward to as it is basically a 'dump', but given our recent record there, it is by no means an anticipated event. The first half yesterday was a case of the home side frittering away several chances as the United defence continued it's benevolent nature, not marking at corners and generally being slip-shod as is their wont. Goalkeeper Ryan Brown came to their rescue with a couple of saving punches and at least one good save. Midway through the half Rory made way for Gazza, which seemed to be a purely technical switch as we went to a 3,5,2 formation.

United, completely against the 'run of play', almost broke the deadlock when Sparky got onto a poor defensive header back to keeper Coleman, but the keeper just managed to push his shot over the bar. That was really the sum of United's attacking abilities in the first half as their passing on the firm Newry pitch was at best clumsy and at worst, diabolical. On one occasion, Lee Colligan, admittedly not the best attacking fullback around, found himself clear of the Newry defence, but instead of making a bee-line for the by-line (excuse my unintended pun), he crossed immediately and the opportunity went begging. Big Denver, who got hurt near halftime was obviously in a bit of distress and a change would have to be made at the interval, but would it be a positive change or a negative one, I wondered.

2nd half
United made the change at the start of the 2nd period with Murray coming on and with two wingers on the pitch I was a bit more hopeful. We did in fact look a bit more positive but due to some woeful finishing twice hitting the side-netting through Sparky and Murray, our old failing of not converting chances to goals reared up once more. It probably would be fair to say that if United had converted half of the 'clear-cut' chances they've created this season we'd be among the top three scorers in the league, instead of in the bottom three. Cutch saw a header saved by Coleman and the keeper also clawed away a rare and beautiful thing, a Gavin Taggart shot. Caff then saw the keeper just get his fingertips to his free kick and we were thwarted once more.

As so often happens in these matters it was the home side who broke the deadlock after 73 minutes. Gazza was caught out by a through ball and Albert was left to mark Graham and McCann. As Albert went to close down Graham he found McCann with a perfect pass and he fired past the hapless Brown who then picked up a caution from referee Weatherall, but what for is anybody's guess. Roy Walker played his last ace, taking off Mike Smith 2 and bringing on, on-loan striker Aaron Boyd. It was all out attack from the Sky Blues, but the elusive goal kept eluding them. Keeper Coleman, who had been blatantly time-wasting finally drew a yellow card from the referee but continued to flaunt the official as the clock ran down.

United finally got a somewhat undeserved goal in the last minute when a Caff corner was headed in by the unmarked Boyd. Was there enough time to force an unlikely if undeserved winner I wondered, the answer of course was an emphatic no. United fans were left to wonder why Boyd didn't get to start the game or at least come on earlier as we continue to miss chance after chance in front of goals. Surely now that the quest for sixth place is over, is it possible our players will start to show their true form or am I only dreaming here, is what I've witnessed this season our true form, good one game, mediocre the next. If that is how it is, then we're set for a whole lot more frustrations in the years to come, but I fervently hope not, but stranger things happen!

Brown (6), Mikey (6), Lee (5), Denver (5)(Sub: Murray 5,), Albert (6), Rory (5)(Sub: Gazza 6,), Taggart (5), Caff (6), Mike Smith 2(Sub: A. Boyd (6), Sparky (6), Cutch (5)

Man of the match: Albert

Deceived Again!

2011-03-20T06:09:00.003Z

There's an old saying that some people only flatter to deceive, this to me almost perfectly sums up the Sky Blues. Having deservedly got back on level terms at the Showgrounds yesterday with Caff's first goal in a 'man of the match' performance, they then imploded by allowing the visitors to snatch an undeserved victory. I say undeserved, but at the end of the day all you can ask of your team is to take the majority of the chances that come their way and this the visitors did, United on the other hand frittered away at least half a dozen easy chances and got what their benevolence deserved, sweet F.A.. In the absence of the suspended Albert Watson, Denver and Archie, got the central defensive nod, while Gazza replaced Taggart in midfield and Rory got the nod on the left with Murray on the bench.

United are generally slow out of the blocks, but not so yesterday as in a changed ploy they had chosen to attack the Fisherwick end first and forced a corner immediately. Caff, seemed to change tactics and drove over a powerful corner, but the only people interested in attacking it were Glens defenders. Denver came to United's rescue two mins later when, after being duped by Burrows, he recovered to block the strikers shot. The Glens took the lead in the 13th minute, when Burrows who looked offside got a cross in which Denver could only lay back to him and then when the ball appeared to cross the by-line, before being crossed (linesman still not awake), Waterworth somehow got in at the near post when keeper Brown failed to leave his line.

United were then denied by the crossbar when big Denver got his head to a Caff corner and from the rebound Cutch could only manage a 'powder puff' shot with only the keeper to beat. United were denied a cast iron penalty when referee Courtenay, failed to see Glens Jason Hill deliberately handle the ball and then somehow neither he nor his linesman saw the same player going in 'over the top' on United player Ryan Berry. At the other end keeper Brown saved well when Burrows again was allowed to continue by the sleeping linesman, but Brown redeemed himself with a good stop. Carson was then denied by a combination of Nixon's hand and Morris's body with a shot from a tight angle and his appeals for a penalty fell on referee Courtenay's deaf ears. The visitors doubled their lead when United's most consistent player Mikey, committed a major gaffe. In attempting to stop the ball going for a corner he foolishly drove it across his own goalmouth and Nixon's header was dispatched by Waterworth to make the score 2-0.

Despite these two setbacks United continued to strive for an equaliser but couldn't find a telling pass to unlock the visitors defence. With time running out in the first half United won a corner on the right and Gazza's header appeared to be handled on the line, but luckily Sparky was on hand to reduce the leeway to 2-1. There was just time to take the centre before referee Courtenay blew his whistle for halftime and united were deservedly cheered off while it was hoped that the linesman at the Warden street end would continue with his slumbers in the second half.

2nd half
Gazza, always the scapegoat, made way for Murray in the 2nd half as United strove to get back on level terms. They missed a glorious chance to level things when Archie screwed his shot wide after Denver had won a header form a Caff corner. Cutch missed another good chance when he shot straight at the keeper, when it looked easier to score. United looked vulnerable at the back where keeper Brown is reluctant to leave his area and therefore defenders are under pressure to clear the ball and the Glens attempted to exploit this weakness with constant long balls over the top. With 62 mins on the clock, Rory made way for McAreavey and he added some 'beef' to our midfield and came close with a free kick which ballooned off the Glens defensive wall. Cutch was then denied by an acrobatic save by Morris, after good work by Caff and Murray.

After a good passage of play when Berry fed the ball to Mikey and his cross was teed up for Sparky, United's utility man somehow failed to find the target, a bad miss. Ryan Berry then made way for local boy Mo as United continued to probe for the equaliser. Justice was finally done when Caff's free kick took a slight deflection on it's way into the net to bring the home crowd to their feet. This goal however instead of giving United a lift, seemed to have the opposite effect and they allowed the visitors to take up the cudgel. After some pressure, when the United defence spurned several chances to clear the ball and Ryan Brown failed to come for a couple of easy clean-ups, Glens stole the points from a set-piece. Denver failed to clear the ball properly and from the resultant throw-in the United defence dithered and sub Steele drove the ball into the net to wrap up the points.

Yet again United had failed at home in a game they should've got something out of and when I think about the programme notes for our last two games (chairman today, manager the week before), admonishing fans for their derogatory comments, I think somehow their energies would be better deployed trying to find why we are so crap at home. We have the most loyal, no let's rephrase that we are the most loyal, long suffering supporters in the six counties and for first our manager and then the chairman to degrade us in such a manner is way beyond the pale. Surely they'd be better employed in trying to keep our best players at the Showgrounds and finding out why we appear to be uninterested at times especially at home, in short you do your jobs and you'll get no complaints from us!

Brown (5), Mikey (5), Colligan (6), Archie (6), Denver (6), Berry (6)(Sub: Mo 6,), Caff (8), Gazza (6)(Sub: Murray 6,), Rory (7)(Sub: McAreavey 7,), Cutch (5), Sparky (7)

Away Delights!

2011-03-06T08:59:00.002Z

United got back to winning ways with this narrow, but fully merited victory over Lisburn Distillery. The scoreline was 1-0, but it really wasn't as close as that, thanks to several good saves from Whites keeper Billy Brennan and wasteful finishing from United players. Main culprit for United was top scorer Cutch, who definitely should've had a hat-trick, but it's hard to be critical of the 'wee' man as he scored the vital only goal. Manager Roy Walker restored big Denver to central defence, Colligan to left back, Murray to left midfield and Berry to right midfield. Sparky moved up front to partner Cutch and had probably his best game of the season, nice to see you back on form son.

United, superbly marshalled at the back by stand-in Captain, Albert, took the game to the home team from the outset and looked destined to get an early lead. The first real chance fell to Caff, who improves with every game, but he delayed his shot which was then blocked. Then Cutch set up Sparky but he chose to go for the narrow gap and hit it into the grateful arms of keeper Brennan. Referee Hetherington and not former United player Dessie Loughrey as advertised, denied United a cast iron penalty when Cutch was 'cleaned' in the box and surely if it wasn't a penalty Cutch should've been cautioned for simulation, which he wasn't. Cutch then somehow failed to score when a delightful Colligan cross was headed back to him by Sparky, although Brennan did well to save, but should've had no chance.

In a rare attack by the home team, United keeper Ryan Brown, calmed his defenders nerves by coolly plucking the ball out of the air, that's more like it Ryan I thought to myself. Referee Hetherington then committed another gaffe when as Cutch broke clear he was confronted by keeper Brennan who had rushed from his goal. As Cutch attempted to chip the keeper, he clearly handled the ball, an automatic red card, but the referee allowed play to continue. Two minutes later, Sparky, so dominant in the air, found Cutch unmarked and the wee man's first time shot was palmed for a corner by Brennan (who by now shouldn't have been on the pitch if the referee had done his job properly). Despite their dominance United had to settle for a scoreless first half, but we 'loyal' fans, were still hopeful of getting a result, B.P. take note.

2nd half
Disaster struck for United just moments into the 2nd period when Lee Colligan, back to his best, had to retire with an injury and was replaced by Gazza. This curtailed United's forward thrust down the left wing and when the Whites brought on a more mobile winger to put pressure on Gazza, manager Walker switched Berry to the left and Murray to the right. Murray, who had been 'quiet' up to that point, suddenly was back to his best and began torturing the Whites defence. I had been somewhat fearful before this game of two Ballymena old boys in the Whites line-up, Aaron Callaghan and David Cushley, but on this showing both would struggle to get in our reserve team. In fact Cush only once managed to break the stranglehold Mikey had on him, but Mikey (obviously warming up for his trial with Kilmarnock), recovered his ground easily despite giving Cush a 5 yard start and made a great and fair tackle.

With Murray and Mikey, what a combination, teaming up down the right, the Whites were really under the cosh. The pressure finally told when after a corner won by Murray, was returned to Caff, he then found Cutch at the far post with a top level pass and despite Brennan's despairing dive, the wee man headed United in front. That goal came in the 64th minute and two minutes later it should've been two, when former United player Callaghan, messed up and presented the ball to Cutch who weaved past him and then with the goal at his mercy completely miskicked and the chance went begging. Former United manager Tommy Wright (who ran out on the Sky Blues almost 3 years ago, a real critter of a quitter), took off the Cush but his replacement made little or no difference.

The much feared and respected Glenn Ferguson looked every day of his 41 years and surely the signs are there that he's truly spiked, past his sell by date. His one and only chance was a feeble attempt at an overhead kick, which fell into the arms of United keeper Ryan Brown, powder puff stuff. With 13 minutes left Ryan Berry, made way for Ballymena boy George Young, as United decided to close the game out. Despite the home team throwing everybody up at every opportunity, throw-ins, free kicks,the United defence held firm, with Albert and Gazza leading by example. During the 3 added minutes Rory came on for Murray and Ryan Brown was harshly booked for alleged time wasting. This booking was especially harsh as there are no ball boys at Ballyskeagh and goalies have to do their own ball retrieving which takes time. Still nothing could take away from United's deserved victory, we don't have home 'comforts', so let's just enjoy our away 'delights'!

Brown (7) Mikey (8), Lee (8)(Sub: Gazza 7,), Albert (8), Denver (7), Berry (7)(Sub: Young 7,), Taggart (6), Caff (8), Murray (7)(Sub: Rory 6,), Sparky (8), Cutch (7)

Man of the match: Marky 'Sparky' Surgenor

Nailer Gazza!

2011-03-01T23:58:00.002Z

Rumour has it that United manager Roy Walker decided to call it a 'day' after last Saturday's capitulation to D.C.. Seemingly he only decided to stay on after some senior players persuaded him to change his mind. Surely Captain Gazza must have been one of those men, I think, but tonight by a strange quirk of fate, the ever loyal Gazza put the final nail in Roy's coffin. With barely 2 mins on the clock Gazza's attempted header back to his keeper fell at the feet of Crues striker Jordan Owens who blasted it into the net to give the visitors an early lead. This was the worst possible start for a 'makeshift' United side, with Andy Smith and Sparky dropped, there were starts for McAreavey and McCaughern while Taggart started in place of the suspended Gage.

Referee Steven Weatherall was at his most inept when after Caff was adjudged to have fouled a Crues player, the stupid referee admonished United's Lee Colligan instead. When the error of his ways was pointed out to him he exacted revenge on United by awarding the Crues a penalty from the resultant free-kick, cautioning McAreavey in the process. Coates, who had been the fouler, tugging McAreavey's jersey, scored from the spot to give the visitors an undeserved 2-0 lead. Worse was to follow when United mounted a counter attack, as McAreavey out-jumped Coates to a high ball, the yellow Crues player screamed as if he had been felled and the referee immediately cautioned McAreavey which being his second offence meant he was sent off. I'm certain any cameras, if there were any in the ground, will show no contact was made and that Coates conned the referee.

This ended the match as a contest and United to their credit didn't lose their discipline although they did pick up several other bookings, while Coates elbowed Sparky who came on as a sub in the 2nd half, but no action was taken, just a free kick awarded. This is the 2nd time referee Weatherall has over-reacted and sent a United player off this season and surely it's high time for United officials to let the I.F.A. know he's unwelcome at the Showgrounds. Roy, as seems to be his wont at the moment only used two subs, bringing on Sparky at halftime for Caff and then Rory for McCaughern. McCaughern wasn't the worst player by any means, as both Gazza and Taggart were badly out of touch.

Gazza was caught out again late in the 2nd half when he missed a tackle and Morrow ran through to steer the ball past the hapless Brown and give the visitors a totally undeserved 3-0 lead. United were poorly served up front by Cutch, who is just going through the motions at the moment and needs to start scoring goals again. He actually jumped for a ball tonight and won it, which is something anyway. Maybe if he challenged a wee bit more, we might get something out of games and not the sweet F.A. we're getting at the moment. Strange as it may seem all is not lost as far as a top six spot is concerned, but now we need a miracle or is it an impossibility. There's an old saying that goes, 'miracles happen every every day, the impossible just just takes a little longer' amen to that!

Brown (7), Mikey (7), Archie (6), Albert (7), Gazza (4), McCaughern (6)(Sub: Carson 5,), Caff (5)(Sub: Sparky 5,), Taggart (4), Colligan (6), Cutch (5), McAreavey (5)

Man of the match: Mikey Smith

Turned Over!

2011-02-26T23:56:00.003Z

Whoever said 'lightening doesn't strike twice' obviously wasn't a football fan. D.C. languishing at the bottom of the Irish Premier league came to the Showgrounds today with memories of their last visit, when they deservedly trounced the home team 4-0. They came within a whisker of repeating that scoreline today, being thwarted by United's 'man of the match', Ryan Brown, who made two truly wonderful saves. Of course there was a bit of controversy when D.C. took the lead as there was a blatant offside ignored by the linesman, but the goal was allowed to stand, mush to the chagrin of the United defence. That goal came in the 30th minute, but by then this benevolent United team had missed three easy chances. One of the culprits was out of form striker Cutch, while only Mikey knows how he screwed a shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

D.C. obviously couldn't believe their luck when United failed to take their chances and Ryan Brown pulled off a wondrous save to deny Mark Dickson after the United defence went asleep at a throw-in. I have always complained bitterly about this United teams inability to defend set-pieces (e.g. corners, free kicks and throw-ins) and this chance epitomises exactly what our problem is. A throw-in to D.C. played back to the thrower, who in our kindness we have failed to mark, he has ample time to thread a perfect cross for Dickson whose header was miraculously pushed over the bar by keeper Brown. Then from the resultant corner we went asleep once more allowing them to get a free header which fortunately missed the target. We were then caught out by a linesman whose interpretation of the offside rule obviously is at variance with the norm.

Manager Walker, went into this game with Andy Smith partnering Cutch, but with no back-up strikers on the bench, a sad case of affairs. Andy, was his usual inept self, running about, feigning to jump for headers and fooling nobody but himself. He did however win a free kick, which Caff rolled to Mikey, who failed to find the target with a left-foot shot. We did mange 3 shots on target in the first half but they were all straight at the keeper and we were missing the guile of winger Murray. A look at the United bench didn't augur well for any positive changes, with Mo possibly the only real attacking player there. Rory Carson was there also, but he is well short of full fitness, while Gavin Taggart, Paul McAreavey and the untried Lee McCaughern, were unlikely to spice up our attack.

2nd half
Ten minutes into the second half and Walker decided to 'change for change' sakes and the man he chose to substitute was Sparky. Why Sparky I wonder, he could have taken any body off as they were all way below par, but he chose Sparky, bringing on Mo, surely a more positive move would have been to take off the 'headless chicken' and push Sparky up front. Cutch missed yet another chance when with the goal at his mercy he shot against the post and the ball rebounded to safety. Roy then perpetrated another gaffe, taking off Captain Gazza, the man who wears his heart on his sleeve, bringing on Rory in his place. Rory's first two touches showed how badly off form he is and he needs a few games under his belt to regain his full fitness and zest for the game.

The United defence went asleep at another corner when they allowed the visitors a free header at the far post, while Andy Smith on the goal-line could only help it into the net. Five minutes later Big Denver allowed Dickson to get goal-side of him, then fouled him and was rightly sent off as he was the last defender, crowning a miserable week for the Clough man. The resultant penalty was coolly dispatched past the diving Brown to make the score 3-0 to the bottom team in the league. Ryan Brown came to United's rescue on two more occasions when D.C. scythed through a couple of lack lustre tackles, while at the other end United were devoid of ideas and a place in the top six now looks beyond them. In fact if things don't improve and quickly, they could find themselves in danger of dropping even further down the table. The time has come to get the 'fingers out' and show a wee bit of pride, otherwise things can only get worse!

Brown (7), Sparky (5)(Sub: Mo 5,), Archie (5), Denver (5), Albert (5), Mikey (5) Caff (6), Gazza (6)(Sub: Carson 5,), Colligan (5), Andy (4), Cutch (5)

Man of the match: Ryan Brown

By Example!

2011-02-19T23:37:00.002Z

All one can ask of a leader is to lead by example and at the Showgrounds today our leader, Captain Gazza, did just that. With just 4 mins on the 2nd half clock up stepped Gazza to blast the ball into the net and show the 'shot shy United forwards how. United should've went on and won the game after that but a combination of poor finishing and last ditch 'scum' defending meant they had to settle for a point, which in turn dropped them out of the top six. United manager Roy Walker made one change to his starting line-up with on-loan Aaron Boyd replacing Andy Smith, while Sparky dropped back to rightback allowing Mikey to be switched to right midfield. United started slowly and only an interception saved them from going a goal down early on. They also had a let-off when the whole defence went asleep and allowed the visitors two free headers which luckily came to nothing.

Big Denver, the subject of an I.F.A. inquiry into the singing of sectarian songs at the recent Scotland /Norn Iron game, also rescued the home team with a clearing header, when keeper Ryan Brown stood rooted on his goal-line. United weathered the Coleraine storm and began to put together a couple of attacks of their own. Lee Colligan jinked his way into the visitors box after good work by Murray and Cutch, but his driven cross was cleared for a corner. Then Cutch got on the end of a Caff cross but was unable to force the ball home, a strikers dream chance, while a Mikey shot just shaved the post. The Coleraine scum-bags then took the lead, when Mukendi clearly fouled Albert at a corner, before heading into the net, but referee Turkington allowed the score to stand. United tried to force their way back into the game, but couldn't find the vital pass although Murray came close with a rasping shot but it was straight at Davey 'fat' O'Hare.

2nd half
Albert almost levelled the scores 2 mins into the half when he headed a Mikey corner just over, but 2 mins later we were level. A Lee Colligan throw-in was partially cleared but United Captain Gazza caught it on the half-volley and blasted a left-foot shot into the net with 'fat' Davey rooted to his goal-line. This was the fillip the game needed and we all waited in anticipation for United to pound the gas men into the ground. Although Aaron Boyd was proving a handful for the visitors defence, he was for the most part fighting a losing battle as Cutch was a virtual passenger for most of the 2nd half. Caff, who had been disappointing in the first period was beginning to look like a player and was probably the most surprised man in the stadium when he was substituted, with Andy Smith replacing him.

This meant a whole shake-up in the United midfield and I thought contributed little to the cause. Next, to my utter amazement, he took Boyd off, bringing on Taggart of all people, was he happy with the point I wondered and with 10 mins remaining he took off Murray and brought on Mo. Mo almost became the hero when his shot from the edge of the box actually squirmed under 'fat' Davey's body (an impossibility given how much lard is on his frame I would have thought), but he just managed to stop it on the line. Lee Colligan was cautioned for an alleged dive, which I'd like to see on video', while at the other end Knight was ruled offside after being put through by Carson. Andy Smith burst through after a mistake by defender Ogilby, but was surprisingly caught up by the slow Mukendi who made a saving tackle. Big Denver saw a header from the resultant corner, cleared off the line and I knew then it wasn't going to be. Despite the 2 mins of added time United were unable to push home their advantage and had to settle for an unsatisfactory draw.

Brown (6), Sparky (6), Colligan (6), Denver (7), Albert (7), Mikey (7), Gazza (8), Caff (7)(Sub: Andy 6,), Murray (6)(Sub: Mo 6,), Cutch (5), A. Boyd (7)(Sub: Taggart 6),

Man of the match: Gazza

Slow Learners!

2011-02-15T08:55:00.003Z

There's an old saying that says you 'learn by your mistakes', unfortunately for United they didn't 'learn' last night and it cost them dearly. Glentoran had put us under pressure throughout the game forcing at least a dozen corners, which we had dealt with okay, there was a couple of close shaves but generally we had defended them well. One hour into the game the Belfast side won another corner and this time it was delivered to the far post where, Sparky of all people was found wanting giving Glens player Leeman a free header and we were lucky to merely concede another corner. Sparky acknowledged his mistake, but was beaten once more at the far post and when the ball was partially cleared, Glens midfielder Clark rifled the ball into the net. That was the end of the game really as United were almost completely devoid of ideas on how to break the Glens down.

As intimated on Sky Blue Sport, Archie was unfit and Denver replaced him, while Sparky replaced Aaron Boyd, who dropped to the bench. Captain Gazza came in for Berry partnering Caff in centre midfield, while Andy Smith played on the left wing where he had a better game, but still not anywhere near his best. United, as is there wont took a while to get going and it was the visitors who looked the most likely to score early on. The United defence weren't helped by keeper Brown's reluctance to leave his line and as a result a few attacks resulted in corners which could and should have been tidied by the keeper. In one attack the ball actually flashed past the keeper when it looked easier to intercept it. Then during another onslaught he punched the ball when he surely could've caught it.

We somehow got through this period and began to subject the visitors to a bit of pressure ourselves. Referee Burns, who earlier had failed to at least caution Glens forward Fordyce for a deliberate elbow on Denver, denied United a penalty when Cutch was fouled in the box, somehow he gave a free kick to the visitors. Cutch then forced a good save from Morris and from the follow-up, Caff's shot just skimmed the crossbar. Eamon Murray was again not at his best, but he did feed Sparky on the right but his effort was blocked for a corner. After seemingly having an abundance of left-footed players, we now have no-one capable of taking an in-swinging corner from the right and in fact Mikey, our fullback, takes all corners. This situation needs to be rectified as we have no variety in our corners and they're all too predictable. Also with Glens keeper Morris unable to take goal-kicks surely we should have been pushing up and pressuring them. Halftime was reached with the match scoreless and it was hard to see how we were going to change that.

2nd half
Ten minutes into the 2nd period Walker took off Andy and brought on Aaron Boyd, which meant Murray switching to the left. This actually had a negative effect rather than the positive one and we were unable to exert any pressure on Glens keeper Morris, who by this time was clearly in extreme pain and should've been at our mercy. Surely the better option would have been to switch Sparky to rightback, move Mikey up to right-midfield and push Andy into an attacking role. If that didn't work there was still an option to change things round,but now it was too late, although Sparky could still have switched.

Maybe though in hindsight that would have been a bad idea as Sparky, who up to then had been one of our better players, messed up badly in the 63rd minute, which lead to the Glens taking the lead. Manager Walker's response to this setback was to first almost immediately, take off Captain Gazza with Young replacing him and then bring on Gavin 'westy' Taggart with 10 minutes remaining. These two substitution were basically 'like for like', and were surly just done to do something. What we needed was someone with the ability to get behind the Glens defence as our attempts to bulldoze our way through were ineffective.

United did create one good chance when Murray burst into the box, dribbled past a defender and his fierce shot was parried by Morris, but no United player could get on the end of it. The visitors missed a few chances to make the game safe and a Waterworth shot clipped the crossbar with Brown stranded. But the Glens weren't to be denied and they duly wrapped up the points a minute from time with a second goal. For the second game running the United fans who outnumbered their opposing fans again by at least 5-1,saw their side cave-in, this is just not good enough and something needs to be done sooner, rather than later.

Brown (5), Mikey (6), Colligan (5), Albert (5), Denver (6), Murray (5), Caff (6)(Sub: Taggart 6,), Gazza (6)(Sub: Young 6,), Andy (6),Sub: Boyd (5), Sparky (6), Cutch (5)

Man of the match: Caff

Clueless United!

2011-02-08T23:45:00.002Z

After three hard fought draws on the road, I suppose United had to come down to earth with a bump, but why had it to be tonight of all nights. This is the one game United fans expect their players to give their all in, but it's not happening, in fact they seem to reserve their most insipid performances for when they have a decent home crowd. The Coleraine scum took all three points, courtesy of a Kyle McVeigh penalty, after Leon Knight had his legs whipped from under him in the box. The foul was attributed to Lee Colligan, one of Saturday's heroes, but tonight one of many zeroes. Few of tonight's team wrapped themselves in glory and manager Roy Walker must shoulder the blame for the weird formation he settled upon.

The United manager made one change to his starting line-up of last Saturday, with on-loan striker Aaron Boyd starting in place of the suspended Sparky. This necessitated Andy dropping into centre-midfield and team Captain Gazza (a no nonsense centre-midfielder, being on the bench), where the logic is to this I'm sure I don't know. The story of the first half was mainly about an inept linesman who only flagged once for an offside when there were about 10 incidents and three 'sitters' missed, two for United and one for the scum. Cutch was heavily involved in both chances for the home team.

Firstly he burst through on goal and then shot tamely at Davey 'fat' O'Hare, a great chance missed. Then in almost a carbon copy, after taking the ball round the stranded fat man, he elected to pass where Eamon Murray fluffed his shot with the goal at his mercy. At the other end scum forward Mukendi messed up after slipping past his marker but with only the keeper to beat couldn't find the target. The visitors had already missed another chance when United keeper Brown failed to cut out a cross but luckily for him nobody could make him pay dearly for his indiscretion.

Young striker Aaron Boyd was getting no change out of the scum defence, while the midfield of Andy, Caff, Eamon and Ryan Berry were not at the races. It was obvious to everyone in the ground that changes would have to be made at halftime if United were to turn this game on it's head. Too many players were performing way below the standard required and where oh where was the passion, this was after all allegedly our biggest game of the season. Something was missing from the equation, there was no 'heart' in the team, that never say die attitude and it was desperately needed.

2nd half
Unfortunately our manager seemed to be trying to prove a point as he continued with the same players, but at least he tried to 'spice' things up when he changed to a 4,3,3 formation, but to no avail. Bad enough as this was our defenders then became extremely benevolent, passing back to keeper Brown, when it wasn't entirely necessary and when he 'messed' up, they still continued to involve him. Chief culprit here was Caff, whose first move seems to be back and invariably involves the keeper. I'm a firm believer in the old adage, the best means of defence is attack, while you're pussyfooting around in your own half you're asking for trouble and it invariably finds you.

With 20 minutes remaining Roy finally acted taking off Aaron Boyd and Berry and bringing on Matthew Boyd and Paul McAreavey. By then I think it was too late but United did manage to create one piece of magic. Albert (who collected a commemorative cup before the game for reaching the 300 game mark in a United shirt), came bounding forward, played a one two with McAreavey before releasing Murray down the right. Eamon cut into the box and drove a cross into the box, but neither Cutch or Matthew Boyd were willing to throw themselves at the ball and the chance was lost.

Almost immediately the game was taken away from United when Knight was upended in the box by Lee and Kyle McVeigh gave the scum a somewhat undeserved 1-0 lead from the penalty spot. You could almost see the United heads drop, surely now was the time for a final sub, bringing on Gazza or Denver, pushing them up to try and get something, but Roy like his biblical nemesis Nero, fiddled and took no action. United have just managed to hang onto 5th place but it's a lot tighter at the top now than it needed to be. With 8 games left it looks like it could go to the last game before it's decided, I hope my heart can stand the strain!

Brown (6), Mikey (6), Lee (5), Albert (7), Archie (6), Berry (5)(Sub: McAreavey (5), Andy (5), Caff (5), Murray (5), Cutch (5), Aaron Boyd (5)(Sub: M. Boyd 5,)

Man of the match: Albert Watson

Drawn Blinds!

2011-02-05T22:58:00.002Z

United manager Roy Walker made one change to his starting line-up from last Saturday, with as expected big Denver omitted, Archie moved inside, Lee back to leftback and Ryan Berry got a rare start in right midfield. Mikey, who has been the subject of transfer talk was both a villain and a hero today, one he'll want to forget and the other he'll want to cherish. The home team looked a little sluggish today and it was United who dominated the early exchanges and Murray was hacked down as he cut inside. He came closer shortly after with a right-foot shot as he cut inside, after Berry set him up. United's central defender, Albert looked as if he had no energy today, repeatedly gasping for breath, but he should've given his team the lead when he sent a free header wide from a Mikey corner when it looked easier to score.

The home team stepped up the pace a wee bit after this, aided and abetted by some weird decisions by referee Davey Malcolm. On one occasion after an attempted clearance by Archie had ricocheted off a Cliftonville player and went for a goalkick, the linesman couldn't decide what it was, so Davey gave a corner, obviously the team in possession draws no favours from Davey. Cutch and Andy Smith up front were not cutting the mustard, while Albert was struggling at the back. From a corner by the home team their central defender headed over with no United defenders in attention, poor defending. As the United keeper prepared to take the goalkick, Albert went down injured, but it was obvious he was suffering not from injury but exhaustion.

Unfortunately the United physio decided he should carry on instead of being substituted immediately, which looked like the more obvious solution. Admittedly it was close to halftime and Albert seemed okay as he tidied up after a Cliftonville raid. The fourth official had just indicated that there would be one minute of added time when disaster struck. A through ball down the left flank allowed Chris Scannell to get behind the United defence and as Archie closed him down he rolled the ball back to Caldwell whom Mikey had left unattended. The former D.C. player ghosted past the struggling Albert and shrugged off the attentions of Mikey before rifling the ball into the net as Brown attempted to close him down. United barely had time to take the centre before the referee called the first half to an end.

2nd half
As expected Albert didn't appear for the second half, so Captain Gazza came on and Sparky moved into the back four. Disaster struck after just a minute though when United failed to clear their lines keeper Brown was caught off his line and an overhead kick from Reds player Holland, bounced over the line via the crossbar. With United 2-0 down obviously a change had to be made and it looked as if Andy or the out of touch Cutch would make way for one of the Boyds or maybe both. Roy of course had other ideas and he took off Berry and brought on on-loan Aaron Boyd, with Smith dropping back to midfield and United going for a 3,5,2 formation. The introduction of young Aaron changed the whole complexity of the match and it was fitting that he played a big part in the goal which brought them back into the match.

His 'never-say-die' attitude created a chance out of nothing when he blocked an attempted clearance and the ball fell nicely for him and his pass was met by the inrushing Murray who blasted his seventh goal of the season to bring United back into the match. That goal came in the 59th minute and Boyd missed a glorious chance moments later when he failed to get his head to a Colligan cross with the goal gaping. But United weren't to be denied for long and they carved out a delightful equaliser. Cutch, who wasn't on his best game played a major role as he held off two defenders, before releasing Colligan down the left wing. Colligan sent in a dangerous cross and Mikey became the hero when he won the ball before pushing it into the net.

United were denied two good penalty claims when first Boyd and then Cutch were fouled as they burst into the box. Home keeper Connelly went down injured and the game was held up for a good four minutes while he received treatment. The home team made two substitutions and one of the players was Ronan Scannell, who later had to be carried off. Andy Smith, playing a wee bit better, attempted to block a clearance by scorer Caldwell and the player needless kicked the United man which drew an automatic red card. United fans were amazed to see the fourth official intimate that there would only be four minutes of stoppage time, when the keeper had been down for four minutes and we'd had four subs, surely a minimum of six minutes should've been allowed.

Of course it was Davey Malcolm who only earns £80 an hour and doesn't believe in unpaid overtime, obviously. During stoppage time Ronan Scannell went down injured and had to be stretchered off with what looked like ligament damage, hopefully he'll make a quick recovery. United had a chance to take all three points when they won a free kick on the edge of the box, but Caff's shot sailed over the bar and the chance was lost. Cliftonville to their credit didn't sit back on their haunches and pushed us all the way, but our defence in which Archie was outstanding held out against the home teams endeavours. I thought Walker might bring on a fresh pair of legs for the closing minutes, but obviously he was happy to draw the blinds. When the final whistle sounded the United fans applauded for a good five minutes, it was a good result, but it could've and should've been even better!

Brown (6), Mikey (8), Lee (8), Albert (6)(Sub: Gazza 7,), Archie (8), Berry (7)(Sub: A. Boyd (8), Sparky (7), Caff (7), Murray (8), Andy (6), Cutch (7)

Man of the match: Eamon Murray

Windsor Blues!

2011-01-29T22:55:00.002Z

United fought out a hard earned scoreless draw at Windsor Park today and as forecast in Sky Blue Sport, they rarely got a break all day. Only referee Turkington knows how he failed to give United a penalty, when winger Eamon Murray had his legs clipped from under him as he sprinted into the opposition box. This of course was just one of many examples of the biased nature of the referee's decisions. Ten minutes earlier Murray Murray had crossed to the middle of the six-yard box, where a Linfield defender blatantly passed the ball back to keeper Alan Blaney, but the referee allowed play to continue. Of course it's quite possible that the back-pass rule doesn't apply to the I.F.A. team (sorry Linfield), unless of course it happens at the other end of the pitch.

Manager Roy Walker gave a debut to on-loan signing Neil McCafferty (Caff to us) and he had a good game, taking most of United's free kicks, an added bonus. With Dwayne Nelson out with a broken bone in his elbow, Ryan Brown returned between the sticks and after nervy start did a good job in the end. In fact besides Brown, the only change from the team who took the field at the Oval was Caff for Berry. Linfield looked menacing early on, forcing 3 corners in a row and the nervy United defence was glad to survive intact. Thompson (how did he ever get to play for Norn Iron), missed with a header on the one and only occasion all day that he got free of big Denver.

This was a bad miss and a few minutes later McAllister hit the post, but credit to Brown here for getting his angles right. In a rare United attack as I stated earlier a menacing cross from Murray was calmly played back to keeper Blaney by a home defender, but the referee saw no harm in it. Too many of United's attacks broke down today due to poor passing and the biggest culprit in this area was top scorer Cutch. The number of times he found himself in the clear but chose the wrong option and gave the ball away cheaply. United's first shot on target was from new boy Caff, as he swivelled on the edge of the box, but his right foot shot was straight into the midriff of Blaney.

Sparky came close with a shot later on but unfortunately could only find the side-netting with Blaney stranded. Then came the 'missed' penalty when referee Turkington completely ignored a deliberate trip on Eamon Murray as the winger dribbled into the Linfield box. It wasn't that the referee was unsighted either as he was less than ten yards away from the incident, but he indicated that Murray had fell, but why should he as he was through on goal. As halftime approached a nice bit of interplay between Caff, Sparky, Murray and Andy broke down when Cutch failed to react to Andy's through ball.

2nd half
United, as is their wont, took a little time to settle in the 2nd period but soon began to raid up the left flank. After an attack broke down we witnessed more biased refereeing when Archie was penalised when he rose to head a ball and two minutes later when Armstrong committed the same foul on Andy play was allowed to continue. The 'out-of-sorts' Murray was replaced by Gazza, which meant Sparky switching to rightback and Mikey to right midfield and then United began to exert more emphasis in midfield, but still couldn't find the vital breakthrough. Andy was running around 'like a headless chicken', but manager Walker seemed reluctant to substitute him. If at times he would've chased down what he thought were poor passes instead of ranting at his team-mates, we might've got something out of this game.

Manager Walker finally took off Andy with reserve striker Matthew Boyd coming on. Young Matt almost made an instant mark, but unfortunately shot wide when well placed. The United manager took off the tired Caff and brought on George Young and his fresh legs helped our cause immensely. United were denied a bare-faced corner, when Cutch wriggled through the ageing home defence and his cross-shot was diverted wide of the goal by Blaney, but instead of a corner referee Turkington gave a goalkick. Linfield sub Munster flashed a shot over the bar and Garrett dragged one wide as the match went into to stoppage time. Lee Colligan then almost made up for his late 'miss' at the Oval on Tuesday night, when he burst through the home defence, but his shot was diverted for a corner.

The fourth official held up the board which read four minutes, no doubt adding on a little after Albert and a Linfield forward had had to receive treatment. The home team laid siege to our goal, but the back four of Sparky, Albert, Denver and Archie ably backed up by keeper Ryan, deservedly held out. In virtually the last kick of the ball Garret found himself in space on the right, but drove his shot wide. When the final whistle was sounded the United fans were on their feet and applauded the team for a good five minutes. United manager Roy Walker joined his team in front of the North stand and it was very obvious that they were a happy bunch, maybe now we have boys 'really' playing for the shirt!

Brown (6), Mikey (7), Archie (8), Albert (8), Denver (8), Murray (6)(Sub: Gazza 8,), Caff (8)(Sub: Young 7,), Sparky (7), Colligan (8), Andy (6)(Sub: M. Boyd 7,), Cutch (6)

Man of the match: Denver Gage

Oval Mugging!

2011-01-26T00:07:00.002Z

For the second game running referee Steven Weatherall was a controversial figure and he eventually led to United's downfall and elimination from this years Irish cup. United had started with two changes to the eleven that started their last game. Transfer listed Nathan Hanly, serving a one game suspension was replaced by Lee Colligan and Captain Gazza, also missing through suspension, was replaced by Ryan Berry. This time though Sparky did start in central midfield and played there for his entire time on the field. United were caught cold as the Glens were quickly out of the blocks, in fact just 3 minutes were on the clock, when Glens veteran Paul Leeman rose unchallenged to head goalwards and when the ball was partially cleared the United defenders stood and watched as Leeman hammered the ball into the net.

United seemed to have weathered the home teams onslaught but were caught cold when a Glens player squared the ball for Waterworth to power a header into the net. I have to say we looked dead and buried at this stage, as we could hardly string two passes together and when we did we were, bundled off the ball by the home team, while referee Weatherall looked on, ignoring at least two deliberate elbows in the process. United finally got a lifeline in the 28th minute when Eamon Murray out-sprinted the home defence, before nut-megging home keeper Elliott Morris. The keeper tried to claim he stopped the ball on the goal-line, but the linesman disagreed (at least he was willing to make a decision) and the goal stood. Morris continued to protest and flaunted Weatherall's authority by holding onto the match ball even after the referee had indicated he should return it.

This goal lifted the entire United team and we began to put pressure on the home defence. After a delightful move down the left-wing, Lee Colligan found Andy Smith with a nice pass and even though Andy was fouled he kept his feet. Would he have got a penalty if he had went down, somehow I doubt it, he might even have been booked for diving. The ball was partially cleared to Sparky, who did go down under a strong challenge and referee Weatherall surprisingly gave us a free kick about 25 yards from goal. The referee obviously thought there was little danger, but the wee Cutch had other ideas and he hit a beauty into the top corner with Glens keeper Morris, grasping at thin air. That goal came 3 minutes before halftime and suddenly United were right back in it and as the Glens attempted to step up the pace Nelson made a good stop.

2nd half
Five minuted into the 2nd half Walker took off Berry and brought on George Young and he almost broke the deadlock with his first touch. United were on the attack and a Cutch shot struck George and referee Weatherall adjudged it to be a deliberate handball, the mind boggles. The referee suddenly remembered he had yellow cards when cautioning a Glens player for a bad foul and then booked three United men for their first offences while allowing the home team to get away with 'murder' again. With an hour on the clock Waterworth burst through our defence and looked destined to score, before Nelson dived bravely at his feet, while the Glens player appeared to 'deliberately' trod on the United keepers hand. The upshot was that Dwayne had to come off with Ryan Brown taking his place.

Then we witnessed one of those strange cameos that the Irish league is so famous for or 'infamous' for. As Brown came onto the pitch with his gloves and his towel referee Weatherall signalled for play to start and the keeper had to pick up the ball from a throw-in with only one glove on and his towel lying in the penalty box, why oh why do we pay them (referees), £160 a game, when they can't even get the simple things right. Five minutes later Sparky made way for Gibbo, who has allegedly made a pre-contract agreement with Glentoran. If this is the case and his half-hearted attitude seemed to confirm this, wouldn't it have been better to keep Sparky on or bring on possibly Mo McDowell, who might not be the best alternative, but would give you 100% effort for the cause.

United did manage a couple of chances, first a Cutch shot, appeared to be cleared by Gibbo, when if he'd left it alone it might've hit the target. Then Albert rose unchallenged at a corner, headed downwards but Morris made a good stop on the goal-line. But the biggest talking point came deep into injury time, when George Young chased a seemingly lost cause, found Colligan and his cross found Gibbo with the goal at his mercy but he glanced the ball wide of the posts. This supposed 'deliberate' miss brought the wrath of some United fans and they began to boo Gibbo and if I had thought he had deliberately missed it, I'd have booed him also I must say.

Extra time.
Five minutes into stoppage time the United defence was unlocked once more and when Brown spilled a fierce shot, Waterworth, looking very much offside drilled the rebound into the net. United looked dead on their feet and having used all their subs unfortunately they had to carry on. During this first period of extra time, Glens sub Jason Hill, went in 'over the top' on United's Denver Gage, conveniently not seen by the referee and then as if to add insult to injury, Waterworth threw the ball for a goal-kick (a totally unsporting gesture), instead of back to our keeper. United manager Roy Walker could be seen shouting at the referee but I'm reminded of the old saying 'that there's none as blind as them who don't want to see', when Weatherall is strutting his stuff.

We did manage one late chance and only Lee Colligan knows how he managed to scoop the ball over the bar from inside the six-yard box, but it would probably have been ruled out for some supposed infringement by this incompetent official. In a final throw of the dice substitute keeper Ryan Brown went up when we won a free kick and despite causing panic in the home defence we couldn't find the vital touch that would take us to the penalty shoot-out. A season that had looked so promising a few weeks ago has now gone 'tits-up', there's only one thing for it now, we'll just have to win the league!

Nelson (8)(Sub: Brown 7,), Mikey (8), Archie (7), Albert (6), Denver (7), Murray (8), Berry (6)(Sub: Young 7,), Sparky (6)(Sub: Gibbo 4,),Colligan (7),Andy (6), Cutch (7)

Man of the match: Dwayne Nelson

Technology Needed!!

2011-01-18T23:52:00.004Z

After four meetings with the Crues this season, 3 of which were at Ballymena, United's record against the 'hatchet' men leaves a lot to be desired. A draw in their previous meeting at the Showgrounds, is all United have got, while they've suffered 3 defeats. The previous two defeats were close, 2 goals in stoppage time at Seaview in a 2-1 defeat in the league back in August 31 and a week later a 1-0 loss in the County Antrim Shield. Those two defeats and the manner of them were honourable defeats, when with a bit of luck the result could have gone the other way. Tonight United were punished two fold, they played poorly and they were 'robbed' of a perfectly legitimate goal midway through the first half which would most likely have changed the whole game. If that wasn't bad enough referee Steven Weatherall, who seems to believe that elbowing players is okay, gave a dubious penalty to the visitors for a push, when it was a United player who was pushed.

United manager Roy Walker, who likes to 'tinker' with his formation made one change to his starting line-up from last Saturday, Andy Smith for Gibbo. Not content with this he changed his formation, starting with Sparky upfront and Andy on the right-wing. This formation never clicked as Sparky was badly off-form and he soon switched to right-midfield and then to rightback, with Mikey going to right-midfield and Andy up front. United started, as is their want, very sluggishly and it seemed only a matter of time before the visitors scored. This they did after 15 minutes when after a corner was partially cleared the United defence defended too deep and when the ball came back in Morrow had the easy task of heading past Nelson.

Try as United might they could barely string two passes together and when they did the linesman at the Fisherwick end flagged them offside whether anybody was offside or not and regardless if he was up with play. It seemed as if the 'gods' were against us and this point was perfectly illustrated when after the Crues keeper made a hash of a clearance the ball fell to Andy Smith about 45 yards from goal. With the keeper trying to regain his ground Andy hoisted a shot goalwards, the keeper misjudged the flight of the ball stepped back into the net and then tried to claim he'd stopped the ball crossing the line. The linesman who was making offside decisions when 'miles' behind the play, suddenly could see nothing and even Steven Weatherall who can make decisions in semi-darkness from 30 yards, couldn't award a goal in perfectly good visibility from 35 yards.

I have to say here that' I'm against goal-line technology and even though this incident wasn't as clear-cut as Frank Lampard's goal for England v Germany in the World cup, it still was quite obviously a goal. Goal line technology would have proven the fact, but it wasn't needed as it was obvious to everybody but the referee and the linesman that the ball was technically 'in the net'. This was United's lifeline back into the game, but it was cruelly snatched away and even though they came more into the game they couldn't make the vital breakthrough.

2nd half
Five minutes into the 2nd period Walker finally took off the 'out of form' Sparky and brought on Gibbo and even though we created a few chances we couldn't find the vital breakthrough. The final nail in our coffin came when after the linesman missed another 'blatant' offside the ball was returned into the box and Jordan Owen headed into the net after pushing Denver Gage. The referee immediately blew his whistle but to our utter amazement awarded a penalty to the visitors, when it was our man who had been pushed. This was strange to say the least as the referee was at least 20 yards away at the time, but suddenly he saw things no-one else did. Morrow duly dispatched the penalty and United were out of the C.I.S. cup.

One of the few success stories for United on the night was captain Gazza who led his players by example as he continually probed and tried to find incisive passes. With about 8 minutes remaining United made a double substitution, taking off Gazza and Hanly and bringing on Berry and McCaughern. As luck would have it Berry missed a chance to give us some hope, firing over from close range shortly after coming on. It was a sad night for the Sky Blues and their supporters, but especially sad for one United player. Albert Watson was making his 300th appearance for the club and his disappointment was enhanced somewhat by a totally unnecessary challenge from former Glentoran player Michael Halliday who pushed the United stalwart onto the Stock car track. Referee Weatherall blew the final whistle and took no action against Halliday, but Albert, quite rightly in my opinion, refused to shake his hand after the game. The Crues are back at the Showgrounds for a league game this Saturday, hopefully we'll be up for that!

Nelson (7), Mikey (6), Archie (6), Albert (6), Denver (7), Andy (6), Hanly (5)(Sub: Berry 5,), Gazza (8)(Sub: McCaughern 5,), Murray (6), Sparky (5)(Sub: Gibbo 6,), Cutch (5)

Man of the match: Gazza

Denver Delivers!

2011-01-15T23:54:00.003Z

United central defender Denver Gage has been threatening to open his United scoring account all season, but he chose today to deliver the goods. What a timely goal it was, the big defender got on the end of Hanley cross to power a header past Glens keeper Elliott Morris, which forced a replay at the Oval on Tuesday January 25. United had made only two changes to their last starting line-up, with Sparky returning from injury, allowing Mikey to switch to right-midfield and Gibbo getting the nod upfront instead of Andy Smith. United were caught cold after only 4 minutes when after referee Courtney awarded the visitors a dubious free-kick, the United 'wall' was breached by Johnnie Black's fierce shot which swerved viciously leaving Nelson well beaten as it hit the back of the net.

Definitely not the start we wanted and five minutes later Nelson rescued the home team with a finger tip save from visiting forward Waterworth. United were unable to string more than two passes together early on as at least three players, Sparky, Murray and Gibbo were badly off form. Captain Gazza and Archie were on top form and with their contribution United began to find the chinks in the visitor's armour. Hanly was right out of luck when his shot from the edge of the box squirmed under Morris's body before hitting the post. Gibbo had a header on goal, but it was easy for the keeper, from Mikey's cross. The visitors almost doubled their lead when Denver was beaten for pace but Nelson blocked Burrow's shot with his legs. Albert, what a rock of strength he is, came to our rescue with a timely interception as Waterworth dribbled through.

There was no fourth official for this game and it was fair to say there was a wee bit of banter between the two benches. This was especially evident when a Glens player 'stooped' for a header and literally got what he deserved (a kick in the head) and the Glens bench harangued our boys for not putting the ball into touch. This was a bit strange as their team was in possession and played on, so the fault was theirs not ours. Referee Courtney managed to calm things down and we reached halftime with the visitors still in the lead and with United needing to up their game if they were to remain in the cup. A collection was taken up at halftime for the United youth academy and the small band of visiting fans (roughly 723), showed their generosity with a donation in excess of £230, no cheap skates in East Belfast.

2nd half
United took to the field with the same personnel and it was hard to see where they were going to get their inspiration from. Archie almost provided that touch of magic when he sprinted down the left wing and despite being fouled, put in a gem of a cross but unfortunately no United man could get on the end of it and we had to settle for a corner. Mikey took an in-swinger but it was cleared by the visiting defence. Archie then showed his defensive skills with a great interception at the other end. United deservedly drew level in the 60th minute when Mikey took a short corner to Hanly and his precision cross was headed powerfully into the net by Denver. This brought the United fans to their feet, as much in relief as in enjoyment.

United manager Roy Walker rang the changes after this, taking off the 'out of sorts' Murray, with Colligan taking his place. Then Andy Smith came on for Sparky, with Mikey dropping back to rightback. Somehow we never looked quite as menacing after this as for some reason we were reluctant to take them on down the flanks and kept trying to cut inside. Mikey almost broke the deadlock when he sprinted at the Glens defence, only to be cynically tripped about 25 yards from goal. Nathan (Hanly), beat the defensive wall with a beauty of a free kick but his shot smacked the crossbar with Morris well beaten. Visiting player Richard Clarke went down after a collision and had to be stretchered off, hopefully the injury looked worse than it really was. United Captain Gazza was hurt near the end and was replaced by Ryan Berry but he had little time to make an impact.

The visitors almost snatched an undeserved victory when Waterworth saw his shot turned round the post by Nelson. United were also looking to end the tie but their final pass seemed to go astray every time they bore down on the visitors goal. This was perfectly illustrated when Colligan, with perfect control opened up the Glens defence, but then made a complete hash of his pass and the chance was lost. Referee Courtney did his best but despite 7 minutes of added time the game ended in a 1-1 draw. A fair enough result, but yet another match we could well have done without as we're already four games behind the schedule. We'll just have to go to the Oval on January 25 and complete the task. I feel I must pay tribute to both sets of fans who reverently kept the one minute of silence as a mark of respect for the untimely death of Michaela Hart!

Nelson (8), Sparky (5)(Sub: A. Smith 5,), Archie (9), Denver (8), Albert (9), Mikey (6), Gazza (8)(Sub: Berry 6,), Hanly (7), Murray (6)(Sub: Colligan 5,), Gibbo (5), Cutch (7)

Man of the match: Archie Stewart

Nine Three!

2011-01-04T23:47:00.003Z

Nine three is how the scores stand after three league meetings between United and Portadown and hopefully there won't be a fourth, as we're aiming for a top six finish while the Ports look like being dragged into the relegation dogfight. United manager Roy Walker did as Sky Blue Sport suggested and tweaked his defence a wee bit, dropping Lee Colligan and bringing in Denver alongside Albert, with Archie moving to left back and Mikey dropping back to rightback in place of the injured Sparky. As expected Nathan Hanly returned in midfield but in a wide right position where his considerable talents are somewhat wasted. Gibbo, who had a poor game on Saturday was left out with Andy Smith getting the nod against his former team. United playing against the strong breeze were a bit slow out of the blocks and then as so often happens in football took an early lead against the run of play. Ports were penalised just over the halfway line and as Taggart's free kick came in Denver challenged visiting keeper Miskelly, who fumbled the ball and Andy Smith caught the ball on the half volley to score his first goal of the season.

I half expected referee Carvill, whom I inadvertently named as the referee in United's last game to rule the goal out, but he rightly allowed it to stand. That goal came in the 12th minute and two minutes later Carvill proved it was a complete fluke, as Andy was elbowed as he went for a high ball, but the referee administered no yellow card. United were under the 'cosh' a wee bit, but the visitors rarely troubled keeper Nelson. The Ports were taking no prisoners with their tackling but it came as no surprise when the first player booked was United's Gavin Taggart. The Ports got an undeserved equaliser after 30 mins and it should never have happened as the linesman at the Fisherwick end of the ground missed another blatant offside and United were lucky to scramble the opening away for a corner. Under severe pressure from the corner kick, Denver was adjudged to have handled the ball although it looked more like a case of ball to hand, than hand to ball, but referee Carvill gave the penalty. Nathan Hanly was booked for protesting the decision and despite Nelson diving the right way he was unable to stop Tipton's kick which crept in at his left post.

United weren't behind for long and it was winger Murray, back to his dazzling best, who won the free kick about 30 yards from goal when he was fouled. Hanly, delivered a high tantalising free kick and when the ball was nodded down Gazza's shot was blocked on the line. The follow up from Andy was also blocked but the alert Murray was on hand to notch his sixth goal of the season. Two minutes later after Archie had his legs whipped from under him by a Ports player, Hanly's carbon copy free kick just eluded the United attackers. Captain Gazza picked up a head injury which required stitches, when he was kneed in the head but his assailant got off Scot free and then Andy Smith was punched in the chest, but this only drew a yellow card, not the mandatory red. While Gazza was off the field getting sewed up United had to soldier on with 10 men, during 3 minutes of normal time and two minutes of stoppage time, bit they deservedly held out.

2nd half

United were under pressure early on in the second period as they tended to defend a bit deeply and it was obvious a change would have to be made, but we had to wait a wee while for it. Referee Carvill cautioned Andy for an alleged elbow which seemed a bit rough given that Andy had been elbowed in the first half and no action taken and later on when he was elbowed in retaliation no action was taken. With 70 minutes on the clock the substitution was made with Lee Colligan coming on for Hanly, obviously to give us a bit more defensive cover. Two minutes later Taggart received a boot in the face no action taken once more and had to come off for treatment, almost immediately Cutch went down clutching his foot and had to be substituted with Gibbo coming on and soon after with Taggart unable to continue Ryan Berry completed our replacements.

Berry, wasn't more than 3 minutes on the pitch when he found Murray in space just over the halfway line and the winger strode forward before delivering a blistering shot from 30 yards that rattled into the net past the diving Miskelly. That goal came in the 78th minute and United should've added to their tally but seemed more than happy to hold their lead and do a bit of show-boating, as they teased and tormented the visitors defence. Miskelly did however come to his sides rescue when he got his fingertips to a Gibbo shot that looked to be going in. Despite an added five minutes of stoppage time, United couldn't add to their tally, although some of their inter-passing was a real treat to watch. A much better result than Saturday's but not really a lot better performance and with some tough fixtures in the offing starting with a trip to Ballyskeagh this weekend, we need desperately to up the ante, or alternatively, step backwards!

Nelson (7), Mikey (8), Archie (7), Albert (8), Denver (7), Hanly (6)(Sub: Colligan 7,), Gazza (8), Taggart (6)(Sub: Berry 7,), Murray (8), Cutch (6)(Sub: Gibbo 7,), Andy (8)

Man of the match: Eamon Murray

Poor Conversion!

2011-01-01T22:33:00.002Z

No you haven't switched onto the wrong page, this is not a Rugby site, the poor conversion in question is United's conversion rates, compared to chances created. We're not talking about half chances here either, we're talking bare-faced 'look a gift horse in the mouth' chances. If United had taken half their chances today they would have been pushing Cliftonville (who lost to the Coleraine scum, what the fcuk is going on there), from fifth place, with a bit of a distance between us and the teams below us. As it is we're just in the top six by the 'skin of our teeth', one point ahead of Lisburn Distillery and no easy games on the horizon. Manager Walker gave Dwayne Nelson the keepers jersey, played a back four of, Sparky, Lee, Archie and Albert. A midfield of Mikey, Gazza, Taggart and Murray, with little and large, Cutch and Gibbo upfront.

Every time I see a referee and his two assistants have a howler, I think it's the worst I've seen and today was no exception. Referee Carvill began as he meant to continue with just a few minutes on the clock. United's Lee Colligan sprinted up the left wing and went for a 50/50 challenge with Glenavon's right back Brendan Shannon. Shannon obviously wanting to give himself the edge, came in with a two-footed tackle, which resulted in a player melee involving half a dozen players from both sides. Referee Carvill to the utter astonishment of the United team and supporters, cautioned both players and merely gave a throw-in to the home team, I just couldn't believe it. United carved out and missed a glorious chance soon afterwards, but Gibbo's weak shot was easily saved by home keeper Plummer.

As the home team stepped up the pace, Colligan allowed Molloy to dance past him and Nelson was relieved to see his shot just miss the target. At the other end Cutch failed to find the target shooting over from a good position after good work by Mikey. Nelson came to United's rescue when a Hamilton free kick was headed goalwards, making a good save from Miskimmon's header. Cutch failed to find the target again after another good opening, when a goal would have set United up very nicely. Gibbo then found himself in the clear, but his lob over Plummer also cleared the crossbar. United were undone in the 29th minute when Molloy, forced the ball over the line after Nelson's feeble punch from a Kyle Neill corner fell to him in a goalmouth scramble. Four minutes later Neill late tackled Sparky right in front of referee Carvill, who to my utter amazement allowed play to continue and in fact Sparky had to wait for treatment until home keeper Plummer punted the ball out of play.

Despite intensive treatment Sparky had to be helped off and still the referee and his two assistants took no action. Andy Smith replaced Sparky and it was later confirmed he had ligament damage and not a broken leg as at first feared. Referee Carvill's ineptitude and he was only ten yards at most away from the incident in clear visibility , was in complete contrast to the incident at Ballyskeagh when referee Weatherall sent off United's Nathan Hanly, in poor visibility from 22 yards away, for a 50/50 tackle, Then as if to add insult to injury (if that's possible) he cautioned Gavin Taggart for a high challenge, when he and his Glenavon counterpart both had their feet up high. United's Eamon Murray was having a poor game against his former club and I for one thought he could've been switched from left to right to see if he could get any momentum going, but it wasn't done.

2nd half
United took the field with no further changes, but they switched Murray to the right and then we began to carve open the home defence. Andy Smith was late tackled right in front of the home dug-out and referee Carvill cautioned a home player, after a discussion with his linesman. After some delightful play between Mikey and Murray, Cutch took the ball round Plummer but somehow missed the target. United had their 'tails up' at this stage and the ball fell to Taggart on the edge of the box, but he shot straight at the keeper who made a fairly routine save. Murray then had a chance to shoot from the edge of the box but failed to find the target. Referee Carvill warned home keeper Plummer about time-wasting and thereafter ignored it as the home keeper continued to eke out every second. After a nice move up the right Mikey found Taggart, but he blasted the ball wide, surely time for a change I thought but Roy Walker obviously thought different. Glenavon manager Marty Quinn brought on Tony Grant in place of Miskimmon and he missed a sitter almost immediately failing to get his head to a cross, a wee warning for the United defence.

That was in the 69th minute and a minute later Cutch produced a piece of brilliance, to carve open the home defence. Collecting the ball just over the halfway-line the wee man weaved his way through a hesitant home defence, before chipping the ball over Plummer to level the scores. Surely this was the time to bring on a sub, either to counteract the threat of Grant or go all out for the win with a fresh pair of legs, but no such action was taken. Albert who had been a 'tower of strength' all day was finally caught out in the 80th minute, when Stewart, who had came on as a sub in the first half, chased down a seemingly lost cause and squared the ball to the unmarked Grant, who steadied himself before giving the home team the lead. United tried in vain to lift themselves and surely a fresh pair of legs were needed, but none came. The linesman at our end of the ground, who, let's face it had a real 'stinker', flagged for offside when the home team had a player inside the six-yard box, a real travesty.

As Albert attempted to clear his lines, Gary Hamilton, went in over the 'top' and was lucky to escape with a caution. The final 'nail in the coffin' was administered by Grant in the 90th minute when United were caught on the counter attack and Grant got his head to a cross from fellow sub Costello. Full credit to Glenavon who had used their final two subs to perfection and although I can't condone their rough house tactics, they were aided and abetted by inept refereeing and if you're getting away with it, good luck to you is all I can say. As for United they have to find some way to up their conversion rate or a top six finish will elude them and they desperately need to find a good reliable keeper. Marty Quinn later said on the radio that Gary Hamilton was a fine example for players to look up to. I wondered if this was the same Gary Hamilton who got so drunk at an awards dinner two years ago, that even though he was to be crowned 'footballer of the year', the sober Glenn Ferguson got the award instead, yes a fine example Marty!

Nelson (6), Sparky (6)(Sub: A. Smith 6,), Colligan (7), Albert (8), Archie (6), Mikey (8), Taggart (6), Gazza (8), Murray (7), Gibbo (6), Cutch (8)

Man of the match: Albert Watson

Swifts Biffed!

2010-12-13T22:54:00.003Z

Rusty Ray writes.. From being knocked out of the Irish cup as holders to effectively losing the first divison title at Stangmore Park, Dungannon Swifts have always given us trouble and most certainly are United's bogey team. These games rarely pass without incident and Saturday's game was no different. Roy Walker dropped Ryan Brown after some clangers in previous matches and his replacement Dwyane Nelson certainly repaid the manager with a near 'man of the match' performance.

Dungannon took the kick off and kicked the ball straight to Dwyane and he promptly kicked the ball down the left wing. Murray out paced his man took the ball to the by line and crossed left footed for the onrushing Cutch to score with a diving header, 1 nil United. After this we hardly got a touch of the ball and Dungannon dominance paid of when Henderson was allowed to carry the ball up the field unchallenged and hit a unstoppable shot into the top right corner.

They continued to press us and from a cross from their left a Dungannon man header the ball off the cross bar. As United cleared the ball former player Craig Mcclean came in with a rash two footed challenger on Mikey and was rightly sent off. A melee then ensued with every player on the pitch involved yet United Captain Gazza was the only man booked. After Lee Colligan had fooled one of their players a Dungannon man pushed Lee to the ground yet the referee didnt book him but spoke to Lee. The match continued to half time with United continuing to squander possesion thumping the ball long up field rather than trying to find their men.

2nd Half

Andy Smith was taken off at half time replaced by Richrad Gibson and our tatic was obviously to hit it to the big man and react to his flick on's. The second goal came from a free kick taken on the right hand side in our half. Albert played the ball to Murray who chested it down to Lee, Lee then played a one two with Murray and crossed the ball which deflected off a Dungannon player and dropped to the feet of Cutch. Cutch tricked his man took the ball to his left and then hit an unstoppable left foot shot into the far corner of the net. 2-1 United.

United continued to pile the pressure on and a Mikey cross had Sean O'Neill flapping and he dropped the ball at Gazza's feet. Our Captain cut inside O'Neill and chipped the ball right footed into the far corner but unfortunately this was headed off the line. From antoher Smith cross Gibson flicked the ball onto Cutch, who cut inside and hit a great shot which hit the cross bar.

Then from a Dungannon attack the ball was half cleared and their player picked up the ball on the left hand side of the box and as he was going away from the goal Gavin Taggart, who had replaced the ineffective Ryan Berry, stupdidly pushed him off the ball, penalty to Dungganon. The penalty was struck low to Nelson's left but he got down well and saved it. Then after Lee had fouled one of the their players Mullan kicked the ball against Taggart and was rightly sent off.

Shortly after this Roy Walker was sent to the stand for who know's what and then after a long punt up the field was headed across goal and Dungannon scored but thankfully this was ruled out for offside. Surgy was then injured after being fouled when heading the ball and had to be replaced with Mo coming on and Smith moving to right back. Later Mo went down the right took the ball to the by line and crossed the ball to Taggart who was ruled offside even though he appeared to be level with Mo.

Dungannon continued to hit the ball long and put us under pressure and rather than use our two man advantage and try and stretch them we continued to thump the ball long which eventually paid of with their defender missing the ball which dropped to Cutch on the edge of the box clean through. Rather than trap the ball and run in on O'Neill's goal he hit a tame shot first time which trickled into the keepers arms.

Luckily we held firm despite their pressure and without playing well, after four long years finally beat those boys.

Nelson 8
Surgenor 7
Watson 8
Stewart 6
Colligan 7
M Smith 7
Haveron 8
Berry 6
Murray 7
Cutch 8
A Smith 5

Subs
Gibson 7 for A Smith
Taggart 6 for Berry
Mo 6 for Surgeonor

Man of the Match Cutch

Two Ryans!

2010-11-27T23:03:00.003Z

You've heard of the novel no doubt, a 'tale of two cities', well today at the snowbound Showgrounds, it was a tale of two Ryans, one a villain and one a hero. Both were playing for the Sky Blues and because of their collective influence, or in spite of it, if you like, United and the Crues played out a 1-1 draw. United manager, Roy Walker, started with the same eleven as last week, which meant a place on the bench for big Denver, with captain Gazza continuing to partner Albert at the back. The pitch, which was unplayable according to 4th official Alan Black at 11 am and was given the all-clear by referee Steven Weatherall at 13-30 hrs, had a light covering of snow, but was perfectly okay.

The Crues were the most forceful early on, adapting to the conditions better than the home team and Dallas, should have done better with an early chance when he met a cross-field ball, but fired over the bar. United have a tendency to give players a bit of space and this almost led to their undoing, when Morrow was allowed to shoot from 25 yards and Brown had to be at his best to tip his shot over the bar. From the resultant corner, Brown did well again when he punched the ball clear. United were struggling upfront without their usual target-man, Gibbo, but did manage a good break when Murray sped down the wing, easily outfoxed former United player Aiden Watson, but failed to find anyone with his cross. At the other end referee Weatherall merely spoke to Caddell when he elbowed Watson, surely at least a yellow card offence.

Cutch then found himself in a shooting position but shot straight at the Crues keeper. Although the visitors forced several corners the United defence held firm and with halftime approaching things were looking good. As a hopeful punt came into the box, Gazza's sliced his attempted clearance and Brown under no real pressure dropped the ball at Jordan Owens feet and the Crues player blasted it into the empty net, to give his team an undeserved lead.

2nd half
We had an extra 5 minute break at halftime as the United ground-staff cleared the lines of snow to allow the game to continue and continue it did. Ryan Berry replaced Gavin Taggart for the 2nd half, but yet again it was the visitors who started the brightest and Brown distinguished himself when stopping a Donnelly free kick. The visitors kept the pressure on United and when they tried to break the stranglehold Caddell chopped down Albert and referee Weatherall showed the first yellow card of the day. More cards were to follow but mostly for United players as Weatherall cautioned Gazza, Sparky and Andy, while allowing the visitors to get away with similar fouls.

Manager Walker took off Archie, with Denver taking his place, which necessitated Gazza switching to midfield and Hanly to leftback. Referee Weatherall then committed his biggest gaffe of the day when the Crues keeper came out of his penalty box and clearly handled the ball, an offence which carries a mandatory red card, the biased Belfast official merely flourished a yellow one. Andy Smith drove the resultant free kick against the Crues wall and the chance was lost, surely a dink over the wall was the best option. Worse refereeing was to follow when Coates blatantly took the legs from Andy Smith and not only was no foul given the Crues man pushed Smith to the ground and was allowed to carry the ball out of defence with the referee barely five yards away from the action.

Then with a last throw of the dice Roy took off Mikey and brought on Mo for a rare appearance, with Murray switching to the right and Mo going to the left. United finally got the goal their efforts deserved when Hanly overlapped down the left, cut inside before delivering a beaut of a cross with his right foot and Berry glanced a header into the net for his first competitive goal in a United jersey. It was no more than the Sky Blues deserved and the Crues keeper who had been sneakily wasting time suddenly couldn't wait to get on with it. Cutch wasted a good chance when he fired across goal, before anyone could get on the end of it instead of biding his time. Referee Weatherall only managed to find 2 minutes of stoppage time, even though we'd had the full complement of subs in the 2nd period, but I suppose a draw was a fair result in the end.

Brown (6), Sparky (6), Archie (6)(Sub: Denver 6,), Albert (7), Gazza (7), Mikey (6)(Sub: Mo 6,), Taggart (6)(Sub: Berry 8,), Hanly (8), Murray (7), Andy (6), Cutch (7)

Man of the match: Nathan Hanly

Marvel Mikey!

2010-11-20T08:08:00.004Z

Ten nights ago I was lamenting about a bad miss my Mikey Smith, when he ballooned the ball over the bar from six yards, when it looked easier to score. Last night at a cold Newry City he laid that bogey to rest with a top class performance in a fairly comfortable 4-0 victory for United. Four nil sounds impressive, but as usual we missed a 'hatful' of chances. United manager Roy Walker continued with his policy of 'horses for courses' by leaving out, Colligan, Denver and Gibbo. Gazza dropped back to central defence alongside Albert and Archie came in at leftback. Nathan Hanly returned to central midfield after his suspension, while Andy Smith, yet to score this season got the nod to partner Cutch upfront. The 'Sports team were bemoaning Gary's lack of goals in our preview for last night's game and he answered our diatribe with an all round top class performance and a goal to boot, we'll probably have to 'lambaste' him before every game, to hopefully bring the best out of him.

Omar missed the turn off for Newry and as a result we were a couple of minutes late getting into the ground and were informed that the home side had 'missed' a free header. I cannot comment on that but can tell you that we dominated the first half almost completely and how we didn't go in at halftime leading by at least 3 goals is beyond belief. Referee Crangle was his usual ineptness and denied United a blatant corner after 10 minutes. This incident occurred when United winger Murray out-sprinted his man, cur inside and bent a shot past Coleman in the Newry goal. The keeper did well to get a hand to the ball, only for Crangle to give a goal-kick. Five minutes later Murray cut in once more and this time a defender on the line got in the way of his shot and the ball deflected out of touch on the far side where Crangle gave the throw-in to the home side. But his biggest 'gaffe' happened midway through the half when Archie, not renowned for his overlapping, bounded down the touchline, was fouled by a home defender, but managed to keep his feet, only for the unsighted Crangle to give a foul against him and ruin a promising move.

Two minutes earlier Andy Smith had sprinted on to a Hanly through ball but shot straight at the keeper and Cutch blasted another chance past. Mikey then intercepted a home player on the halfway line sprinted down the right before unleashing a left-foot shot, which cannoned off the upright with Coleman well beaten. Little was seen of the home side but the United defence, which had been so vulnerable on Solitude's false conditions, were solid and glad to be back on grass. United deservedly took the lead in the 38th minute, when Andy Smith's cross resulted in a fluffed clearance by Newry defender Cullen Feeney and Cutch gleefully hammered it into the net for his 8th goal of the season. The home side upped the pace a wee bit as halftime approached and referee Crangle saw fit to caution Albert for an alleged foul on the edge of the box, when in fact it was the United defender who was fouled. The United 'wall' did it's job, deflecting the free kick and the remainder of the half passed without incident.

2nd half
Talk at halftime had centred on our inability to convert chances as we should've been coasting by then and the complete shambles of a surface at Solitude the previous Saturday, we all agreed, football should be played on grass, maybe the new president of the I.F.A. Jim (rick) Shaw will take note. Four minutes into the half Cutch was ruled offside when he appeared to run from his own half as the home side were defending very high up the pitch. Ten minutes into the half Cutch sprinted through once more with the linesman keeping his flag down and his cross eluded the Newry defence, where Mikey pulled the ball onto his left foot, took it past the stranded keeper who was miles out of his goal, before planting a left--foot shot in off the post to double United's lead. the home side enjoyed a wee bit of possession after this and former United player Gavin McDonnell thundered a shot off the crossbar with Brown in the United goal beaten all ends up and Cullen Feeney's attempted rebound cannoned of the post.

Referee Crangle once more demonstrated his jaundiced views by first cautioning United's Gavin Taggart for a foul on halfway and then 2 minutes later not cautioning a home player for a similar foul, justice for all please. While Newry were exerting this pressure the United defence with Albert back to his best were superb, ably backed up by keeper Brown who seems to be developing an understanding with his co-defenders. The ineptitude of the linesman at the end we were attacking was shown up, when Mikey played a delightful through ball to Murray, only for the official to flag for offside against Cutch. Admittedly the 'wee' man was in an offside position, but not interfering with play as he didn't touch the ball, yet another poor decision. Mikey then just failed to get his head to a Cutch cross, while Andy after a good break, passed back to Murray instead of getting his cross in. With 13 minutes left United finally killed off the home side, when after a delightful through ball from Hanly, Cutch found the eager Murray, who ran through and deftly dinked the ball over home keeper Coleman for his 5th goal in a United shirt and our third on the night.

Referee Crangle finally cautioned a home player when he flung himself at Archie, no doubt in frustration as the United defender 'had him in his pocket', but rather surprisingly merely gave a throw-in and not a merited free kick. Four minutes later United deservedly got a fourth goal when after a delightful pass from Taggart, Cutch found Hanly and he slammed a left-foot shot past Coleman to wrap up the scoring. Cutch was then substituted with Gibbo coming on and he was blatantly fouled, no free kick given and he had to be substituted with Ryan Berry coming on for about 3 minutes. Referee Crangle blew the whistle and United had collected three more points on their travels, moved into joint 4th place in the table (5th on goal difference) and moved back into plus in their goal difference, all in all, not a bad night's work. Before today's games it's interesting to note that we have the joint 4th best goals for, level with D.C. of all people and we fervently hope they'll get at least one today when they entertain the 'scum' and the joint 5th best goals against column, level with our former manager's team Lisburn Distillery. Changed days from last season, when scoring was a complete mystery to us, all we have to do now is stop leaking at the back and start putting a higher ratio away, so come on Sky Blues!

Brown (7), Sparky (7), Archie (8), Albert (8), Gazza (7), Mikey (8), Taggart (7), Hanly (8), Murray (8), Andy (7), Cutch (8)(Sub: Gibbo 6, Sub: Berry 6,)

Man of the match: Mikey Smith

Half Term!

2010-11-13T23:22:00.002Z

As stated in Sky Blue Sport last night United have passed the halfway stage of league or the league before the split. All I can say is I'm glad its over, that's if this amateurish display by the Sky Blues is an example of what happens to us on rare occasions. If it's not a rare occurrence then we're in for a long hard season. United, showing only one change from Tuesday night's starting line-up, Taggart in for the suspended Hanly, didn't have long to wait before they fell apart at the back. Only 10 minutes were on the clock when home fullback Ronan Scannell stole in at the back post, beating Sparky of all people to a high ball, before powering a header past the out of position Ryan Brown, in the United goal. Brown had appeared to call some instruction to Sparky while Albert and company attempted to spring an offside trap, but to no avail.

This was the start we didn't want, especially as this was our first game on the hosts artificial surface, which leaves a gigantic lot to be desired. United were caught at the back once more when midfielder Johnston sprinted through our defence and Brown made a point blank save. But he only postponed the inevitable as in almost a carbon copy of the first goal, Chris Scannell out-jumped the United defence to double his teams lead. Brown made yet another good save to keep the score down as the home team ran our defence ragged. United were unable to get things going at the other end, but Murray did sting home keeper Connolly's hands with a fierce shot from a narrow angle. With 35 minutes on the clock Cutch squandered a glorious chance when he found himself through on goal, but blasted the ball miles wide, instead of picking his spot.

A goal for us then would maybe have given us a foothold in the match, but the chance wasn't taken and what followed had an inevitable feel about it. Captain Gazza and Mikey Smith, were two players who rose above the mediocre, but they were after all the only two. A minute before halftime Albert completely messed up a simple clearance and Chris Scannell gleefully hammered the ball past the hapless Brown to give his team a deserved 3-0 lead. As United trudged off at halftime it was obvious that some changes would have to be made, or we would suffer a heavy defeat. The halftime scores sounded good, but with our own perilous situation, we knew we couldn't take advantage of the teams above us who were struggling.

2nd half
Manager Walker took off Gazza and Gibbo, bringing on Andy Smith and Ryan Berry. In Gibbo's case I could understand it as he had struggled on the sub-standard surface, but Gazza's removal was a complete mystery to me personally. Two minutes into the 2nd half and the game was up, when Chris Scannell easily out-sprinted Denver to a though ball before shooting past the stranded Brown to make the score 4-0. Two minutes later Denver was substituted, with Archie taking his place, but still we continued to struggle. We did play a wee bit of football in the 2nd period, but our final pass usually let us down, either too close to the keeper or losing possession at the vital moment.

Substitute Berry did force the home keeper to a good save, when he met a Murray cross and that was as close as we came to scoring. Referee Davey Malcolm obviously had decided not to caution anybody today, quite a contrast to the last game he officiated in when we were involved, as he allowed the hosts to get away with 3 brutal challenges, merely giving them a 'ticking off', a complete waste of time. The United defence had a couple of let-offs and Brown made a good save or two, but the dreaded 5th goal finally arrived in the 82nd minute, with a powerful header from veteran Peter Hutton from a corner kick, Lee Colligan made a vain attack to stop it but merely headed it into the net, it just about summed up our day. Somehow we survived until the 90th minute without our defences being breached again, oh how we shall remember Saturday 13 November, well for a few days anyway!

Brown (5), Sparky (5), Colligan (6) Albert (4), Denver (5)(Sub: Archie 6,), Mikey (6), Taggart (5), Gazza (6)(Sub: Berry 6,), Murray (5), Cutch (4), Gibbo (4)(Sub: Andy Smith (5)

Man of the match: Mikey Smith

Mikey's Miss!

2010-11-10T00:20:00.004Z

It's with great sadness that I must refer to Mikey Smith's miss tonight which effectively cost us two points. Admittedly we were down to 10 men at that time after a 50/50 challenge, by Nathan Hanly, led to a red card from referee Stephen Weatherall. Whites midfielder Andy Devlin was unlucky to suffer a serious injury, but in my humble opinion, referee Weatherall over-reacted by sending United's Nathan Hanly off, for what was at best a hard honest tackle and at worst a slightly mistimed one. Neither of which was worthy of a straight red card, but referee Weatherall, who was originally reluctant to let the game proceed because of poor floodlighting and then made no allowances for a game played in semi-darkness, decided it merited a red card and he is god after all. To make matters worse, Distillery player Simpson, used abusive language to Ballymena fans and then accused the same fans of abusing the injured Devlin, this of course was a complete and utter lie.

United manager Roy Walker was true to his word and made two changes to his starting line-up, with Lee Colligan replacing Archie and Sparky replacing Taggart. It didn't take long for one of these changes to come up trumps, in fact only 7 minutes had elapsed when Sparky, using the semi-darkness well, burst through the hesitant Whites defence, before blasting the ball past Matthews in the home goal to give United the lead. This was Sparky's 3rd goal in 2 games, not a bad return for a rightback and a local boy to boot. The rest of the half was a bit of a mystery to me as it was impossible to see exactly what was happening beyond the middle of the pitch. The Whites, whose tactics are just get the keeper to thump it up and then fight for it, took this a bit too literally and I am reliably informed that striker Gary Brown lashed out at a United player. This offence usually means a mandatory red card, but referee Weatherall, after a long consultation with his linesman, merely cautioned the culprit, makes one wonder what a player needs to do to get sent off.

United forced a couple of corners and for a change Denver got his headers on target, but they were easily saved by Matthews. United had a lucky let-off when the ball fell to Ferguson about 25 yards from goal and the burly striker's superb shot beat United keeper Brown fair and square, but rebounded off the crossbar to safety. Despite giving away a couple of free kicks, or should I say 'despite' referee Weatherall awarding a couple of dubious free kicks, the United defensive 'wall' did their job superbly well and they survived keeping their one goal lead as the halftime whistle sounded. We then waited for the announcement that the game had been abandoned due to the poor lighting, but it never came.

2nd half
Nine minutes into the half tragedy struck as Nathan Hanly was carrying the ball out of defence Whites midfielder Devlin made to intercept the ball and the two players met in a 50/50 challenge. I was 15 yards from the incident and I honestly saw nothing wrong in the challenge, although the Whites player did 'chicken out' slightly and in those situations if you go in half-heartedly you generally come off second best. Referee Weatherall who was 30 yards from the incident took his red card out immediately as he ran over towards the incident. Play was held up for 10 minutes as the player was treated on the pitch, quite a contrast to the two most recent United players who had their legs broken in similar incidents, who were ushered over the touch line while play continued and no fouls given or any cards issued. The referee definitely over-reacted and where oh where did he get 15 minutes to add on, two substitutions were made during this stoppage and only 3 further substitutions were made.

During the stoppage United kit-man Bertnell Thompson came across the pitch to say they'd had a complaint from the referee that United fans were verbally abusing the injured player, Devlin. This of course was a complete fabrication, yet another referee telling deliberate lies, as Trevor Moutray did at Dungannon. While in Scotland referee Dougie McDonald told a deliberate lie to Glasgow Celtic boss Neil Lennon, who now expects an apology. I hope for his sake he has a lot of patience as United fans have been maligned wrongly many, many times in the past and never had an apology or are never likely to get one either. In fact all the barracking and that's all it was, was between Simpson and our fans and then when he was told some home truths he went crying to the referee, who then concocted a story about our fans, a load of garbage, but what else can you expect from people who think they're gods.

United took off Cutch at this venture with Taggart replacing him, was this a negative move I wondered, if it had been a defender sent off I could have understood the need to shore up the defence, but as it was a midfielder, surely we needed to not allow them to commit an extra man to attack. Let me say here that I'm casting no aspersions on the United players, as they were all heroes and played with total conviction, but we did at times defend too deeply. We did however create a glorious chance about 5 minutes after the restart, when Eamon Murray and Lee combined well up the left and when Lee broke to the byline his near perfect cross was somehow blasted over the bar from six yards by Mikey Smith. It was hard to see how this happened as it seemed easier to score, but happen it did and it left us balanced on a knife edge.

The Whites were unable to make their extra man count as they were still trying to undo us with long ball tactics and when our defence was beaten there was keeper Brown to calm things down. Gazza as ever was playing his heart out in midfield, while Eamon was always available to give us an outlet up the left, while Gibbo up front ran his socks off. Former United player David Cushley came on for the home team and definitely did not endear himself to United fans with a cynical tackle on Eamon, which rightly earned him a caution. From the free kick, Lee slipped the ball to Eamon, who swept past two defenders before shooting just past the post with keeper Matthews stranded. Simpson was rightly booked for a foul on Taggart and then United took off the exhausted Gibbo, bringing on Andy Smith. The home team finally conjured up an equaliser in the 98th minute, when Patton, who looked offside, although in the darkness it was hard to tell, crossed for Ferguson to head into the net.

United almost took the lead immediately after when Eamon sprinted down the left, cut along the by line before releasing a thunderbolt shot at goal, only for Matthews to make a brilliant save. Two minutes later Cushley high tackled Sparky and got a 2nd yellow card which led to his sending off. Sparky had to receive treatment and referee Weatherall made him wait a minute before waving him back on, utter stupidity. As if to compound his night of ineffective refereeing he blew for full-time a whole minute early, but then he is incompetence itself. United had come close to deservedly taking all three points and despite all the drama all I could think of was Mikey's miss, yet another missed chance to add to the many that have occurred this season, as I have always said,sooner or later they come back to hurt you, oh how I wish I had been wrong!

Brown (7), Sparky (8), Colligan (8), Albert (8), Denver (7), Mikey (7), Hanly (7), Gazza (8), Eamon (8), Cutch (7)(Sub: Taggart 7,), Gibbo (8)(Sub: Andy Smith 7,)

Man of the match: Gazza

Gary Replies!

2010-11-06T23:25:00.002Z

In our column last night we asked when Gary McCutcheon was going to deliver on his promise of goals and today he answered our question, when his brace gave United a somewhat flattering share of the spoils with Glenavon. Manager Walker carried through with his intention of tweaking the team. Firstly he dropped Dwayne Nelson, with Ryan Brown taking his place and omitted last weeks two goal hero Sparky, which meant Mikey Smith dropped back to rightback, Murray to right midfield, Hanly to left midfield and Taggart to centre midfield. The visitors, with the 'on loan' Gary Hamilton on board, came out sharply and Brown distinguished himself with a smart save to keep out a Harper shot. The visitors were moving quite slickly, but it was United who took the lead after only five minutes. Cutch took a pass from Hanly, before playing a one/two with his strike partner Gibbo and beating Glenavon keeper Plummer from the edge of the box.

Unfortunately this lead was short lived as the United defence got itself into yet another tangle when there seemed little danger. Goalkeeper Brown came for a through ball, collided with Denver and Gary Hamilton who was well offside in my opinion stroked the ball home and referee Halliday pointed to the centre circle. The United heads dropped a bit after this setback and Keeper Brown had a let-off when a weak punch fell to Hamilton, but he shot wide. Soon after Brown and his co-defenders stood and watched as a corner came across the six-yard box and breathed a sigh of relief when defender Turkington blasted the ball wide. There was yet another let-off when a Hamilton free kick eluded everybody before drifting wide of the target. In a rare United attack, Murray cut in from the right and drew a save from Plummer and defender Magee was on hand to deny Cutch at the expense of a corner.

Cutch almost gave United a halftime lead when after Hanly was 'cleaned' by the last man, the striker's quick free kick just skimmed the crossbar. Gazza was playing his Captain's part to the full today as he almost singlehandedly tried to stop the flow of the visitors attack, while our back four were under extreme pressure not helped i think by a lack of understanding with keeper Brown. One or two back passes were a little 'hairy' to put it mildly, but we survived and it was hoped that manager Walker could weave some magic at the interval, as it was surely needed.

2nd half
United made one change at halftime, with Hanly being replaced by the fit again Ryan Berry. This substitution made little or no difference as far as I could see and it was the visitors who looked the likelier team. Ryan Berry did manage one run up the right before being 'chopped down by visiting defender Neill, it was a brutal tackle, but it merely drew a yellow card from referee Halliday, when surely it merited a red. As if to add insult to injury ten minutes later defender Neill rose to a corner, unchallenged by the flat-footed Brown, to head the visitors into a 2-1 lead. Surely this would awaken United from their slumbers I thought, but Brown had to come to our rescue 2 mins later with a good save after a shot from Harper. Andy Smith replaced Taggart as United attempted to turn the game round, but to no avail. With 63 minutes on the clock the United defence was torn apart with a slick move down the left flank and the ball was squared to Hamilton who notched his 2nd and the visitors 3rd goal from close range.

Manager Walker then played his final ace, taking off Archie and bringing on Colligan and rather surprisingly we started to get a foothold in the game, forced half a dozen corners, but were unable to find the vital touch. Referee Halliday warned the visiting keeper and his players about their time-wasting tactics, but it seemed like a wasted exercise as United were devoid of ideas as to how to get back into the game. Opposition manager Marty Quinn took off striker Tony Grant and he made a point of shaking Albert's hand before he left, a sure sign of respect. United were almost on all out attack mode and had a couple of let-offs when the visitors could've put the game beyond them. Albert then came close to reducing the leeway, but his header from a Mikey Smith free just skimmed the crossbar.

With 89 minutes on the clock United were given a lifeline when after the ball had been cleared to near the halfway line, visiting defenders backed off Albert inviting him to shoot, which he duly did and the ball screamed into the top corner with Plummer beaten all ends up. The United fans could hardly believe it, Albert scoring from 30 yards, unheard of I can tell you, but it brought us back into the game. This was Albert's 10th goal in a United shirt, in his 289 appearance and I don't think he'll ever score a better one. The 4th official signalled that there would be 3 minutes of stoppage time, with only four substitutions made there was obviously a minute added for time-wasting and this may well come back to haunt the visitors over the coming weeks.

As the 92 minute approached, Gibbo found Berry down the left flank, he cut inside his marker before laying the ball into Cutch's path and he drilled it into the net for his 7th goal in a United shirt and to make the score 3-3. To say the United fans were delirious would have been a gross understatement. They had after all just witnessed their boys being outplayed by the high earners from County Armagh, only to score two killer goals late on to salvage a point. We did miss the chance to jump to 4th place in the league, but we preserved our 5 game unbeaten run and we scored 3 goals for the 5th match running, it doesn't get much better than this I can tell you!

Brown (6), Mikey (7), Archie (6)(Sub: Colligan 6,), Albert (8), Denver (7), Murray (7), Taggart (6)(Sub: Andy Smith 6,), Gazza (8), Hanly (6)(Sub: Berry 7,), Gibbo (7), Cutch (8)

Man of the match: Gary McCutcheon

Blue Murder!

2010-10-31T00:10:00.003+01:00

My worst fears were realised today when referee Alan Black went on a yellow card vendetta against his home town team. This would have been bad enough, but he allowed the visitors to get away with persistent leg-break tackles and it was a miracle no-one had serious damage inflicted on them. United as expected, fielded their strongest starting 11, but winger Murray still looked short of his best form. I and my colleagues have preached time and time again about our defence's lack of discipline, in allowing teams to get crosses in. Today we were undone by such a move when Denver of all people allowed Peter Thompson enough space to get his cross in and Linfield's McAllister stole in at the near post to open the scoring. That goal came after 20 minutes and United to their credit didn't allow their heads to drop and were rewarded with a penalty for deliberate hand-ball 5 minutes later.

My heart was in my mouth I can tell you as we have missed our previous three penalties, but up stepped Gibbo to blast the ball into the right-hand corner with Blaney diving the other way. Having got back on level terms tragedy struck for the Sky Blues in the 30th minute, after the visitors were awarded a doubtful free kick for what looked like a good tackle from Sparky. To make matters worse Sparky was cautioned and when the free came in, Dwayne came for it but only succeeded in punching the ball into his own net. The United heads did drop at this point and it looked like the visitors would add to their tally. But the United defence, ably marshalled by Albert, dug in and thwarted the visitors attack. The linesman at the Fisherwick end missed 3 blatant offsides, but luckily for the home side they came to nothing. Halftime was reached with the visitors 2-1 ahead and it was obvious United were in need of fresh ideas.

2nd Half
Murray didn't appear for the 2nd period and he was replaced by Andy Smith and we switched to a 4,3,3 formation. Denver, my man of the match last week was struggling against Thompson who was allowed to get away with elbowing the United man throughout the game. When Denver appealed to referee Black, after a blatant push by the Linfield player (a fruitless exercise at the best of times), he promptly got himself booked. Ten minutes into the half Denver was withdrawn, which meant Captain Gazza dropping back into defence and Denver's replacement, Gavin Taggart, slotting into midfield. Albert, a real colossus in our defence, missed a tackle on McAllister and he fed Thompson, who in turn coolly chipped the ball over Nelson to make the score 3-1 to Linfield. United to their credit upped their game and the linesman, who remember had missed 3 blatant offsides in the first half, somehow adjudged Cutch offside, when he had been behind the original play. Picture the scene, a corner to United on their left, the ball comes to the far post, is headed back across goal and Cutch comes in to head it into the net, but is flagged offside, a real injustice.

In a break by the visitors McAllister looked certain to put the game beyond United, when Albert came up with a perfectly timed tackle just as he had against Portadown two weeks earlier. He not only got his tackle in, he also brought the ball out of defence and set his side on the attack. The game was balanced on a knife edge and Linfield were doing their best to kill it off. But United were not to be denied and despite the linesman flagging them 3 more times (all of them correctly), they deservedly reduced the arrears after 68 minutes. Mikey Smith was the provider, who after a throw-in, clipped a pass to Sparky and he headed past the flat-footed Blaney, to reduce the leeway to 3-2. In the next 5 minutes we spurned 2 glorious chances to level the scores. Firstly, Archie sprinted down the left wing like a Greyhound, before whipping a pass to the far post and with the goal gaping, Gibbo of all people headed wide. A minute later the ball fell to Cutch near the penalty spot, but he blasted his shot wide.

United deservedly levelled the scores in the 78th minute, when after Sparky had a shot blocked, a Linfield defender's attempted clearance, ricocheted off Sparky before looping over Blaney's head and into the net. Alan Black was still dishing out yellow cards and actually cautioned a Linfield player, while United's Nathan Hanly, was lucky to get away after a heavy if not vicious tackle as the game neared stoppage time. United's man on the touchline Wesley Gregg, while our manager serves a 3 game ban, took Hanly off at this point and brought on Lee Colligan for his 90th appearance in a Sky Blue shirt. During the 3 minutes of added time, referee Black did his best for the Linfield cause, awarding them another dubious free kick. Then after a rare United attack broke up, Linfield player Mulgrew took exception to Gavin Taggart's attempt to delay the free being taken and was clearly seen to punch the United man in the 'nether regions'.

Referee Black was left with little choice but to red card the Linfield player for this despicable act and it will be interesting to see how the I.F.A. disciplinary committee view this incident of violent conduct. United survived a last ditch assault and as Andy Smith broke away he was unceremoniously hauled down at the halfway line. Referee Black not only merely cautioned the Linfield culprit for this 'professional foul', he also blew up before United could take the free kick. When the whistle sounded I had mixed emotions, relief that we had hauled back the deficit, but disappointment that we hadn't taken all 3 points, when we clearly had the chances. Still it was nice to disappoint the travelling Linfield support, whose numbers were sadly depleted with only about 1400 of them making the trip to God's country. Now all I have to do is get my voice back for next Saturday, so bring on that Molly Malone!

Nelson (6), Sparky (8), Albert (8), Denver (6)(Sub: Taggart 7), Archie (8), Mikey (7), Nathan (7)(Sub: Lee 6), Gazza (8), Murray (6)(Sub: Andy 7), Gibbo (8), Cutch (7)

Man of the match: Sparky

'ard Luck!

2010-10-23T23:39:00.002+01:00

Ards came to the Showgrounds today and put up a good fight against United, before losing 3-1. Manager Walker made three changes to his starting line-up from last week, leaving out Murray, Sparky and Archie and bringing in Andy Smith, Mo and Colligan. United took a bit of time to get into their stride and when they did begin to threaten, the Ards defence, superbly marshalled by ex-United player Darren Lockhart, were defending resolutely. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when a Hanly corner crept into the net. To me this looked like a direct score from the corner and obviously Showgrounds announcer Davy King didn't know either as he didn't say who had scored. We, the United fans, didn't really care, we were just glad to see a goal for our team and hoped it would be the beginning of the end for the plucky Ards team. We later found out it was an own goal by Ards defender Spence, but as I said it didn't matter.

Five minutes later we were presented with a chance to double our lead after a handball by another visiting defender. United had missed their two previous penalties, both awarded in the same game (v Newry), but I felt sure that this had been sorted out. Imagine my dismay when the ball was placed by top scorer Cutch, who had missed his previous kick. As he stepped up to hit it, former United keeper Aaron Kerr dived to his right, but Cutch blasted the ball wide of the goal at the other side, his right. Never mind the penalty miss I was a little concerned as my car was parked in Summerfield Street, but luckily the ball just stayed within the confines of the Showgrounds. United paid dearly for their benevolence 4 minutes later, when the visitors levelled the scores with a brisk shot from Sam Devine which gave Nelson no chance.

The United system with Andy Smith in left midfield, just wasn't working fluently and despite lots of possession they couldn't find that vital touch in front of goal. Mo on the right wing, wasn't working either and he blasted over when released by Cutch, a bad miss. Gibbo was having one of those days when nothing would go right for him and when he did find some space Lockhart was quick to get his tackles in. United were missing the guile of Murray, always available down the left wing and the subtle play of Mike Smith, when playing wide right, instead of his conventional rightback position today. It was obvious changes were going to have to be made with halftime approaching and I for one could hardly wait. The one man who wouldn't be changed at halftime was big Denver, who was back to his best today, dealing with every crisis that occurred in a businesslike manner.

2nd Half
As expected United made two changes with Murray and Sparky coming on for Andy and Mo. Murray went straight to the left wing while Sparky slotted in at rightback, releasing Mike Smith to right midfield. Suddenly we looked a much better team, with Murray and Mikey raiding on both wings. It seemed only a matter of time until the Sky Blues would take the lead, but the Ards defence, ably led by Lockhart soaked up everything we threw at them. United must have forced ten corners in this spell and won half a dozen free kicks, but they still couldn't get the vital breakthrough. The woodwork came to the visitors rescue on one occasion when a Hanly free was pushed onto the post by keeper Kerr. With 15 minutes left Darren Lockhart limped off the pitch to a deserved round of applause from the United fans and inadvertently this opened things up for the home side.

The breakthrough finally came in the 80th minute when a Hanly free kick from 35 yards was headed home by Gibbo and the relief of the home fans was almost palpable. Six minutes later the game was made safe when Mikey notched his first goal of the season, with a left-foot from close range, although the ball did appear to take a deflection. Murray, the substitute was surprisingly substituted with Archie coming on at leftback and Colligan moving to left midfield, but by then the sting had gone out of the game. Referee Hunter brought the game to a close and United had won their third game in a row and their 2nd in a row at home and with their third 3 goal haul in a row, just what is going to happen next I wonder!

Nelson (7), Mikey (7), Colligan (6), Albert (7), Denver (8), Mo (5) (Sub: Sparky 7,), Gazza (7), Hanly (7), Andy (5)(Sub: Murray 6,(Sub: Archie 6,), Gibbo (7), Cutch (6)

Man of the match: Denver Gage

Cutch Clincher!

2010-10-16T23:24:00.002+01:00

United manager Roy Walker intimated last week that his players might need some shooting practice after missing a hatful of chances against the D.C. at Suffolk Road. Gary McCutcheon, based in Stranraer, obviously didn't benefit from it in his training at Stranraer and he had to practice it during today's game. His luck was out during the first-half, when his 3 shots all failed to find the target. In the 2nd half he got his sights in, off target with his first effort, his 2nd skimmed the crossbar and his third, but wait I'm getting ahead of myself here, let's talk about the quick-fire start that produced a goal for both teams after only 12 mins. Manager Walker made only one change to his starting line-up, Archie returning at leftback and Colligan dropping down to the bench and what a selection that turned out to be.

United Captain Gazza, also sprung a surprise, with United electing to attack their favourite goals at the Fisherwick end in the 1st half. United took the lead after only 5 minutes, when Archie took a throw-in to Cutch near the by-line and when he fed it back to Archie, the defender's cross found the head of Gibbo and he headed past Armstrong in the Portadown net, his 4th goal in a United jersey. United spurned a glorious chance to double their lead, but Cutch failed to find the target after a Mike Smith cross. This miss proved rather costly as the Ports broke down the right after 12 mins and Denver allowed Braniff to get his cross in and he found the head of Boyle, who beat Nelson all ends up.

This was our usual failing of letting crosses come in, instead of closing players down, a recipe for disaster. Cutch missed a glorious chance to restore the lead, but again failed to find the target, when sent clear by Hanly. With 20 mins on the clock we got a lucky break, when in a carbon copy of their equaliser, Boyle somehow headed over after United had given a Ports player a free run from his own half. Some of the visitors tackling was 'hard' to put it mildly and referee Burns finally cautioned McCabe for a late challenge. A rare slip by Albert allowed Boyle to wriggle past, but the United stalwart somehow got back to make a saving tackle, while visiting fans and management, cried foul, referee Burns however waved play on. United players somehow failed to get on the end of a Hanly free kick, which just needed a touch.

Sparky and Mikey Smith were linking well up the right and after one especially good run out of defence, I thought surely someone should have got on the end of Mikey's cross. Cutch missed the target yet again, but his shots were getting closer, while Denver failed with a close range header from a Hanly corner. Murray was having, for him a quiet game, but in one rare foray down the right, he passed to Mikey, who in turn passed to Gibbo, when a return to Murray would have been a better option.United assistant manager Wesley Gregg was in the dug-out as manager Walker serves a 3 match touch-line ban for asking to have a word with referee Davey Malcolm during United's game at the Oval. One wonders what would have happened if he had told Davey the truth, but then Davey would never admit to owing a guide dog, halftime was reached with the sides level at 1-1.

2nd Half
United continued to probe the visitors defence but Cutch failed to find the target after yet another Hanly pass. Assistant manager Gregg sent his subs out to warm up as Albert went down clutching his chest. Albert had been on top form and it was a worrying time as the physio came on, but the Sandy Row man was able to continue after a drink from the 'magic' bottle. With Albert back to full fitness United continued to dominate proceedings and in fact it was a glorious 40 yard pass from Albert to Murray, which broke the deadlock. Murray trapped the ball perfectly, jinked past his marker and delivered a slide-rule pass to Hanley who beat Armstrong with a right-foot shot in the 68th minute, his 4th goal in a United jersey also.

As if this goal wasn't bad enough for the visitors, McCabe drew another yellow card for a bad tackle on Gazza and as it was his 2nd, he was dismissed. Two minutes later substitute Lecky should've joined him when he clearly elbowed Denver, but just got a yellow. United seemed to lose their way a wee bit after this sending off but Gibbo found Cutch with a through ball and the wee man drove a left-foot shot which just skimmed the crossbar. The visitors were devoid of ideas in this half, relying on high balls into the box, which were 'bread and butter' for Albert and Denver. United finally put the match to bed in the 89th minute, when Gibbo found Cutch once more and the flying Scotsman left his marker for dead, before slamming the ball past Armstrong, to make the points safe, his fifth goal in a United jersey.

With the game into injury time United made a late substitution, with Colligan replacing Archie, a move which Archie didn't look too happy about. Referee Burns didn't prolong the agony for the visitors and blew the final whistle. The United fans were on their feet, applauding the team with relief as much as anything. It was after all only our 2nd home win and with 3 more home fixtures in a row we needed to find some sort of form and it was also our first fixture with our 'new' stand open for the first time, no doubt the Linfield fans will road test it it in a couple of weeks time, I for one can hardly wait!

Nelson (7), Sparky (7), Archie (7)(Sub: Colligan 7,), Albert (8), Denver (7), Mikey (7), Hanly (8), Gazza (7), Murray (8), Gibbo (8), Cutch (7)

Man of the match: Albert Watson

Done Egal!

2010-10-09T23:23:00.002+01:00

Today United paid their first trip to Suffolk Road (or is it Celtic Park), this season and after some 'huffing and puffing' deservedly came away with 3 valuable points. The 3-2 margin in favour of the Sky Blues (crimson reds on this occasion), didn't actually reflect the gulf between the two teams, as United missed a hatful of chances, especially in the first half and in the end were a bit lucky to take all the plaudits. The D.C., who got nothing from the game, are to be congratulated on their facilities, which are miles ahead of Newry, Portadown, Crusaders, Cliftonville, Dungannon, Distillery, Coleraine and Glentoran. In fact if they moved the dug-outs, they'd push Windsor and Mourneview down the pecking order as well, but I suppose that's taking things a bit too far.

United manager Roy Walker went back to a 4,4,2 formation, with Colligan replacing Archie in defence and Gibbo coming in at the expense of Carson. United, playing against a strong diagonal wind, looked lively early on and deservedly took the lead after 12 minutes. Nathan Hanly, who made a sensational debut at Portadown, got his 2nd goal in a United jersey, when after good work by Murray, he unleashed a half-volley from the edge of the box, which crept past the unsighted home keeper. United should and could've had this game over after half an hour such was their dominance. Two minutes after this score, Murray, who gets better with every game, skipped past his marker and drove a cross into the six-yard box, which Gibbo failed to make contact with. Five minutes later it was the turn of Cutch, who attempted an audacious overhead, which hit the side-netting, but I thought he had time to control the ball and pick his spot.

United won a free kick about 25 yards from goal after about the 10th foul by O'Hara and I wondered if referee Courtenay had any cards at all, such was his benevolence. I wondered if this move was practised on the training ground as Hanly's attempt to roll the ball to a United player instead of the normal chip into the box, went completely astray. This in turn coupled with a poor tackle set up a chance for the home team, which luckily came to nothing. With 30 minutes on the clock, only Gibbo knows how he headed over the bar, with the goal at his mercy. Cutch, not to outdone, missed another sitter, after a nice pass from Murray. The home team forced a couple of corners and when United cleared one of these up-field, Murray jinked past two defenders before ballooning a shot over the bar, maybe the pitch was a bit bumpy or am I being too kind here.

Just after Gibbo missed another chance, his shot coming off the crossbar, what we had been dreading happened. The home team swept down the field and firstly Denver tried to shepherd the ball out for a throw-in, but then needlessly put it in to touch. Then Murray played his part shepherding the ball over the by-line when his was the last touch, giving away a corner. Nelson saved their bacon for the first corner, punching the ball wide from a driven cross, but missed the next one and up popped home midfielder McNamee to head into the empty net and tie the scores level at 1-1. United had, not for the first time this season it must be said, thrown away their first-half advantage, not really the form for a team vying to finish in the top six, never mind challenging for honours.

2nd half
Worse was to happen in the 2nd period as United came out for the half in a sluggish mood, struggling to clear their lines. Sixteen minutes into the half, after failing to clear the ball, it fell to Gargin 20 yards from goal and he duly dispatched it into the net with Nelson beaten all ends up. Things looked bad for United at this stage and we knew it was going to take something special to get us back in the game. Cometh the hour, cometh the man and the man on this occasion was Eamon Murray. There seemed little danger as he skipped down the wing, but he suddenly drifted inside and from 30 yards clipped an unstoppable shot past the flat-footed home keeper, to level the scores.

That goal came in the 64th minutes and 12 minutes later United tied up all 3 points with a somewhat controversial goal. United had won a corner on the right and from Hanly's in-swinger Gibbo headed goalwards only for the home keeper to claw the ball back, but an alert linesman signalled that it had in fact crossed the goal-line and United were awarded the goal. I must say here that I couldn't rightly say if the ball had crossed the goal-line, but the linesman seemed certain and in the end we have to accept his decision. Of course the home side protested and 3 players at least were cautioned by referee Courtenay (proof that he did have cards after all), while their manager, who ran halfway down the pitch, wasn't even ticked off for leaving his area. United had been about to make a substitution but now decided to stick with the 11 who started the game.

The home team brought on all three subs and United continued to fritter away the chances, Cutch and Gibbo being the main culprits, although Hanly, after a good run passed, when surely a shot would have been more circumspect. The referee somehow found five minutes of stoppage time and even though the home team tried to subvert United to some pressure, the back four of Sparky, Albert, Denver and Lee held firm. The insurance goal never came for United but our record on the road had been enhanced once more, but it should've been a whole lot easier than it was. Three points in the bag and I'm still complaining, but it was a lot closer than it needed to be, but a wins a win, after all is said and done!

Nelson (7), Sparky (7), Colligan (6), Albert (7), Denver (7), M.Smith (7), Hanly (7), Gazza (7), Murray (8), Gibbo (7), Cutch (6)

Man of the match: Eamon Murray

Second Rate!

2010-10-05T23:59:00.002+01:00

United manager Roy walker was attempting to play down the importance of a win against tonight's opponents, Lisburn Distillery, in his quest for a top six finish next March. His line-up tonight, of a 4,5,1 formation was indicative of a man looking for a point, which in the end proved beyond us. Gazza, allegedly a flu victim last Saturday, replaced Gavin Taggart in the starting line-up, while Sparky came in for the dropped Gibbo at rightback. United, were with this line-up as you'd expect, pretty devoid of attacking ideas and it was the visitors who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half.

Twice United keeper Dwayne Nelson, came to his sides rescue with point blank saves, while at the other end, Murray hit the side-netting. Neither team had any idea how to break down the others defence and some of the fare served up was decidedly poor. Murray did come close with a dipping swerving shot that clipped the outside of the post, while Hanly should've done better, when left free on the right, but Matthews in the Whites goal easily saved his shot. The sides went in level at halftime and I thought surely Roy will bring Gibbo on at halftime as we were winning nothing in the air and Gazza was the pick of our players.

2nd Half
Alas we came out for the 2nd period with the same personnel and still devoid of ideas, although in fairness we did play some nice football. On one of our dainty inter-passing manoeuvres, Archie, slipped at the vital moment and the visitors bore down on our goal. Albert, a stalwart in defence, made a saving tackle, but the ball was only partially cleared. The ball fell kindly to the visitors left-winger and he was allowed to shoot at United's goal. Nelson could only parry the shot, his only mistake in the game and Thompson who was following up had the simple task of finding the net. United fans were perplexed at this turn of events and even more frustrated when their manager failed to act immediately. In fact it was a whole five minutes after the goal when Walker finally took off Sparky and brought on Gibbo.

This introduction made little or no impact and a short time later, Archie and Rory made way for Colligan and local boy Mo McDowell. Suddenly we looked like a different proposition and Mo was soon skipping down the wing, but his crosses were not being put away by our forwards. Hanly, badly off form at present, smacked a free kick off the crossbar and then moments later Denver, who had a poor game overall, missed with a free header. Gazza, had a shot blocked for a corner as we attempted to get something out of the game. Despite our pressure and another free header this time by Gibbo, who failed miserably to find the target, we never forced visiting keeper Matthews to earn his keep. Mo and Murray combined down the right and Murray's cross was missed by the Cutch. The goal just wouldn't come and we had lost another vital home game, what is the confidence like now heading into the Donegal Celtic cauldron next Saturday I wonder!

Nelson (6), Sparky (5)(Sub: Gibbo 6,), Archie (Sub: Colligan 6,), Denver (5), Albert (6), M.Smith (6), Rory (5)(Sub: Mo 7,), Gazza (7), Hanly (6), Murray (7), Cutch (5)

Man of the match: Gazza

Dying Hard!

2010-10-03T11:23:00.002+01:00

There's an old saying about bad habits dying hard and this is so true about United's defending. Time and time again I've criticised our defenders on their bad habits in allowing wingers to get their crosses in. I've also criticised our complete lack of the basics in our game. Firstly our ability to take or defend corners, in which there has been a slight improvement, but still needs a wee bit more adjustment as our taking of them is too predictable. Then there's the thing we still haven't mastered, throw-ins. We can't defend them, we're always 6 yards away from the receiver and then even further away from the taker. While our ploy in taking them seems to be a hopeful lob in the direction of a target man, but no plan after he gets it, which rarely happens anyway. These are the things we need to work on, get them sorted and we might have a chance of holding onto fifth place, but at the minute I fear we are in a false position.

United manager Roy Walker made one change to his starting line-up, Carson as expected returned after suspension, while Mo dropped down to the bench. Roy also moved Rory inside and Hanly onto the wing, which meant in my opinion, our midfield never really functioned. One of the major talking points was the absence of team captain, Gazza, from the bench, if he wasn't injured I fear this was a major gaffe as we could have done with his battling qualities in the later stages of the game. United weren't at the races in the early stages as the 'slick moving' Swifts forward line exposed our defensive frailties and but for home keeper Dwayne Nelson would have deservedly went in at halftime with a comfortable lead.

During the opening 25 minutes they carved open the United defence on at least half a dozen occasions and Nelson saved our bacon on at least 3 occasions, while Archie, made a couple of timely interceptions. Denver, who was having a bit of a nightmare found some inspiration from somewhere and after that we steadied the ship somewhat. Our defence was allowing winger Ryan McIlmoyle to get his crosses in and I feared this would lead to our downfall and unfortunately I was eventually proved right. Cutch, who hasn't scored for five games, somehow managed to wriggle past a defender, but shot wide, our first real chance.

Then after a nice bit of play, Carson burst through and his shot from the edge of the box was pushed for a corner by ex-United keeper Sean O'Neill. Eamon Murray had already showed his wing prowess as he skipped past another former United player, Craig McClean, but failed to find anybody with his final pass, something he needs to work on. United weren't helped at the back by a couple of gaffes from the linesman at the Fisherwick end, as he missed two blatant offsides but thereafter did okay. United got a somewhat undeserved lead a minute before halftime, when Cutch helped a Nelson clearance into the path of Murray and he burst into the box before chipping O'Neill to put United one up, his third goal in a Sky Blue shirt. The home fans were delighted as they couldn't remember the last time they actually took the lead against their opponents and held it at halftime.

2nd half
United seemed content to hold their one goal lead, a fatal ploy in my opinion, although when the visitors missed an absolute 'sitter' it appeared to be a reasonable idea. The home defence went asleep, not for the first time I might add and allowed a visiting player to have a pop at goal. The ball cannoned off Nelson's crossbar and a visiting player headed over from point blank range, a real let off. This would have been the perfect time to bring Gazza on, but of course he wasn't there, or switch Rory to the right wing and Murray to the left. Roy of course had other ideas and to my utter surprise took Rory off and brought Colligan on. Colligan took up a left midfield slot (a position he can't play), with Hanly moving inside to partner Taggart.

This substitution was of no benefit to us and in fact meant that we defended deeper and deeper, with little or no outlet. Murray, who had been a bit of a thorn in the flesh, saw little of the ball in the 2nd half as we tended to attack down the left, but failed miserably in getting our crosses in. Murray in fact, twice had to come to our rescue in defence.Then we had one of those incidents that totally amaze me, when after Denver and Adamson tangled, Adamson was clearly seen head-butting the United defender, a straight red card offence, but referee Halliday cautioned the United player and only cautioned Adamson for dissent, is head-butting now an acceptable form of tackling I wonder? Cutch somehow missed our best chance of the 2nd half when after being played in he completely mis-kicked and the chance went begging.

The visitors deservedly levelled the scores when after Mike Smith went on a mazy run and instead of passing to the unmarked Murray he gave the ball away cheaply and United were caught on the hop. The ball was quickly fed to McIlmoyle and as he sprinted down the wing Albert had to come out to tackle him, this in turn left us exposed at the back post and when Albert allowed the winger to cross, Ward, another ex-United man, ghosted in at the back post to fire home. This goal had been coming for a long time and with 20 minutes left I wondered if there was more misery in store for us. Roy finally bit the bullet and took off Taggart, with George Young coming on and soon after took off Gibbo and brought on Sparky.

Neither substitution did anything for us really and I'd rather have seen Gibbo stay on and Cutch go off as he was badly off form. Somebody actually said that Cutch was playing better when he had bruised ribs, but as we know 'form is temporary', while 'class is permanent' and the wee man will find his form soon. Cutch actually had another chance to tie up the points, but dragged his shot wide. United held out for a draw and are still in a tie for 4th spot and a chance to move into it alone when they entertain former manager Tommy Wright and the Whites on Tuesday night, let's hope our defence won't be so benevolent in that game. Somehow I think a certain Spike Ferguson would have relished taking our boys apart on today's performance, if it's not sorted, things could be really bad!

Nelson (7), M.Smith (5), Albert (5), Denver (5), Archie(6), Murray (7), Taggart (4)(Sub: Young 6,), Carson (6)(Sub: Colligan 5,), Hanly (5), Gibbo (6)(Sub: Sparky 6,),Cutch (6)

Man of the match: Dwayne Nelson

Rusty´s Report!

2010-09-27T23:47:00.003+01:00

This is the match report promised in Bruce Balmer´s absence, we have edited some of it, mainly the spelling mistakes. It´s a bit raw, but straight from the heart and after all that´s all that matters.

1st half Coleraine were encamped in our half we tried to play offside and it didn't work´.

Coleraine player beat off-side and Nelson came well to edge of his box and dived at feet to save.

Another Coleraine player also beat the offside trap and hit the post while Paul Brown missed a sitter hitting the post from 6 yards out but was adjudged off-side anyway.

We had no idea just thumping the ball up field and Gibbo didn't win many headers

Scum had a corner' Nathan cleared, Murray did will to chase down and ran from his own half beating a couple of players but when he got to the box instead of shooting tried to pass to Cutch and ball went to fat Davey. That was our only chance in the 1st half.

2nd half

Mo didn't come out for the 2nd half (injured)Gazza replaced him and we started off 1st 5 mins as crap, as we were in 1st half. The scum were all over us but we came into it a bit and started playing football without really creating any clear cut chances.

Murray had the beating of his man, skinned a couple of players, cut inside passed to Cutch who passed to Nathan and from a tight angle he shot but fat Davey saved it.

From a long ball Nelson came out to punch when it was Archie´s ball and he got nowhere near so Archie headed and it bounced in the box. Archie then tried to head it back to Nelson who was in no mans land and with a Coleraine man pressing him Archie messed up his clearance and a scum player blasted the ball off the underside of the bar.

Coleraine scored from a big punt up field, when Paul Brown who won almost every header and had the beating of Denver all day, controlled the ball on edge of the box. Denver had plenty of chances to clear it but didn't although he pushed Brown wide but allowed him to cross ball from a tight angle and the ball went back post where Nelson let a weak header from Scullion roll right past him, 1 nil scum.

Murray beat couple of men fed the ball to Mike Smith who hit a low cross which Scum defender turned away for a corner. From another Murray pass ball fell to Gibbo on edge of box but shot was blocked

We huffed and puffed without creating any chances, had plenty of corners but never looked like scoring,no strikers on bench so Roy took off Archie and brought on Lee
and with 3 mins of injury time pushed Denver up but we never looked like scoring

Nelson (5), made couple of good saves but at fault for the goal and made another mistake, he cost us this game he´s not going to do

Mike Smith (7) had a good game kept Carson quiet and supported Murray well

Archie (6) messed up and hit his own bar some bad passes going forward

Watson (6) struggled against Paul Brown

Denver (5) terrible, worst I've seen him couldn't live with Brown never won a single header against him at fault for goal

Mo (6) tried hard but never really worked taken off injured

Murray (8) man of match switched at half time to right wing had beating of his man and made lots of great runs

Taggart (6) made a couple of good tackles stupid booking in 2nd half for kicking ball away

Nathan (6) tried hard but nothing came off, moved to left wing in 2nd half left Archie a bit exposed

Sub: Gazza (6)tried really hard and made some good tackles

Gibbo (5) did nothing, didn't win a single header.

Cutch (6), put in effort some good link play but starved of a decent service

Lee (6) on for bout 5 mins

The Black chappie was not as bad as usual, some strange decision as is his norm but no major talking points.

Thanks Rusty Ray for your report!

Heroes All!

2010-09-21T23:59:00.002+01:00

Thirteen Sky Blue heroes defied one villain and a very poor football side at the Oval grounds in Belfast tonight. Yes United beat the league leaders (hitherto unbeaten I might add), despite one of the most biased displays of refereeing I've ever witnessed, by avowed Glens fan Davey Malcolm. Malcolm somehow managed to caution 7 United players and with a second yellow for Rory Carson for a missed tackle, which resulted in United playing for 35 minutes with ten men. Of course we have seen worse aka Alan Black at Coleraine last season, when after deciding to rightly caution a scum player for a high tackle on United player Noel Anderson, changed his mind and cautioned the United player for 'diving', despite the stud marks on his own thigh. I suppose at the end of the day they are really all a bit crap.

United manager Roy Walker stuck with his 4,4,2 formation but with two changes to his starting line-up and two positional changes. Sparky and Gazza dropped down to the bench, with Taggart and Gibbo taking their place. Murray reverted to the left-wing and Rory moved to the right, allowing Hanly to partner Taggart in central midfield. Glentoran, like many clubs in the Premier league, have in the absence of skilled players, reverted to long ball tactics, which for the most part was bread and butter for Albert and Denver. The home teams cause wasn't helped by an injury to striker Andy Waterworth, who appeared to twist his knee as he chased a through ball. Although Waterworth continued for a couple of minutes he had to be substituted after ten minutes. United players were blameless as the nearest player was five yards from Andy when he stumbled, but then again being blameless at the Oval counts for nothing when Malcolm is refereeing.

United deservedly took the lead after only 13 minutes, when Murray cut inside his marker (I use the term marker here in its loosest form as this man at no time ever threatened to mark anybody and his only obvious attribute is the ability to take a long throw-in), before beating home keeper Morris with a low shot from 30 yards. Soon after the Glens histrionics started when after Malcolm blew for an offside against the home team their player Callacher collided with Albert (Albert is as solid as a tank after all) and came off 2nd best and had to be stretchered off. The upshot was that Malcolm booked Albert (presumably for being on the pitch), when the United defender had done nothing wrong. Worse followed soon after when Carson put in a great tackle to win the ball and lo and behold Glens player Crawley went down like a 'sack of spuds'. Davey of course fell for it again booking not only Carson but Mike Smith who remonstrated that Carson had won the ball and made no contact with the 'cheating Glen-man'.

Murray was soon back on the offensive and Gibbo just failed to get on one of his many crosses. Gibbo was clearly elbowed by Glens defender Nixon but when he complained to Davey he cautioned him also. United were put under a bit of pressure at this stage but with some good blocks and some decisive tackles managed to weather the storm. During the 3 minutes of added time Carson came speeding down the left wing, nutmegged Glens rightback Mr Easy before delivering a gem of a cross into the six-yard box, which should've been put away, a real chance missed. Despite Davey managing to almost make 3 minutes last for almost 5 minutes United held out for a deserved interval lead.

2nd half
Ten minutes into the 2nd half and referee Malcolm played his trump card sending Carson off for a second booking when Glens player Black made a meal of an innocuous tackle. We worried that we would be under the cosh from then on, but we had forgotten that we were outplaying allegedly the 'best team' in the league and so we continued to do. With 60 minutes on the clock United won a rare free kick and despite a Glens player being allowed to stand a mere six yards away by his fellow player (sorry referee), Malcolm, Nathan Hanly curved it in perfectly for Gibbo to force the ball over the line to put United deservedly 2-0 ahead. That was almost the last action Gibbo saw as he was replaced by Sparky and after that we were content to soak up the pressure and try to hit them on the break.

I have to say at this juncture that everybody played their part, but Gavin Taggart especially revelled in the situation barking out orders and making last ditch tackles. Davey Malcolm was not happy at this turn of events and after Taggart was slow to release the ball after an alleged infringement, a Glens player clearly punched him resulting in a booking for both players, obviously raising your hands now is only worthy of a caution. The United defence was subjected to long ball after long ball and on the rare occasions when the ball got past our back four of Mike (Smith), Archie, Albert and Denver, there was the reliable Dwayne to mop it up. When the chance came to break Mike backed up Sparky, Murray and Cutch. With 20 minutes remaining Murray went off to a standing ovation with Gazza replacing him.

Nelson became the 6th United player to be booked when Malcolm booked him for time wasting, which is fine by me, but then where did he find 4 minutes of stoppage time when only 3 substitutions were made in the 2nd half, I suppose Davey just makes the rules up as he goes along. Dwayne generally makes one 'gaffe' a game and if he gets away with that he's generally unbeatable. His one gaffe tonight came in the 80th minute when a shot from thirty yards straight at him, somehow slipped from his grasp and into the net to reduce the leeway to 2-1. Strangely enough after that United held firm and although there were one or two close shaves, justice was in the end done. During the 4 minutes of added time we witnessed yet another of Davey's strange decisions. Cutch broke into the Glens box only to be clearly fouled, but Davey booked Cutch, obviously if you're fouled in the Glentoran box it's a bookable offence. Thankfully despite Davey forgetting what time it was, United ran out deserved winners by 2-1, all I can say is bring on the 'scum', unfortunately I'll miss it, but hey, that's life!

Nelson (7), M.Smith (8), Archie (8), Albert (9), Denver (9), Carson (8), Taggart (8), Hanly (8), Murray (9)(Sub: Gazza, 8), Gibbo (8)(Sub: Sparky, 8), Cutch (8)

Man of the match: Eamon Murray

Flat Beer!

2010-09-18T22:50:00.003+01:00

I think this title aptly sums up United's display today. You know how it is, you open a bottle of beer and that first drink is oh so good, but after two gulps you realise it's gone flat, you may drink the remainder but in all honesty it should go down the plug hole. This was United's performance today, 3 goals up after only thirteen minutes and after that we wasted about thirteen more chances, we won quite easily, but it was not a professional job. Manager Roy Walker made only two changes to his starting line-up and four positional changes. Omitted were Gibbo and Taggart and in came Gazza and Rory Carson to form a new central midfield partnership, with Murray swapping wings (left to right) and Hanly going to the left. Sparky moved upfront with Cutch and Mike Smith reverted to his rightback slot.

United took only two minutes to get the scoring started when Cutch found Rory outside the area and his vicious right-foot shot ripped into the corner of the net. Three minutes later the score was doubled when Murray skipped past his marker, cut inside and his shot deflected over the keepers head into the net. Murray delivered a great cross two minutes later, but none of United's two strikers could take advantage. With thirteen minutes on the clock, Archie came from nowhere to curl a left-foot shot into the net for his second senior goal in a United shirt and put the Sky Blues 3-0 ahead. Surely now I thought with us in the ascendency we would go on and finish the home team off, making the 2nd half a formality.

But then I remembered this is the team who seem to like to give their opponents a glimmer of hope as they fritter away chance after chance. Our defence stood up to everything they threw at us, with keeper Dwayne Nelson in tip-top form, although he still hasn't learned to come for crosses with his feet up and allows opponents to challenge him, which as we well know can have fatal consequences. Murray, obviously more at home on the right skipped down the wing again and Sparky just failed to get to his driven cross. The home keeper made a good stop from another Murray shot after a Hanly corner had fell to him and then Gage's follow up just cleared the crossbar. Despite at least three more chances, United failed to add to their score and halftime was reached with United 3-0 ahead.

2nd half

Murray didn't come out for the 2nd period and Mo took his place on the right and despite creating at least another half dozen chances United couldn't add to their tally as they tended to over-elaborate when they got close to goal. Carson, who had gone off the boil a bit was replaced by the fit-again Lee Colligan, who moved to a wide left position, with Hanly moving into central-midfield. Mo was getting some very rough treatment from the home defence and when he won a free-kick about 30 yards from goal, United came up with a novel effort. Colligan chipped a left-foot cross into the area and Albert headed it goalwards, only for the keeper to make a last ditch save at the expense of a corner.

After committing the second of two fouls, neither of them bad, Lee Colligan became the first player to be booked, while the home team's number four got off with blue murder, or should I say Sky Blue murder. Luckily the home team were devoid of ideas and Dwayne dealt capably with their long range shots. Having said that I always knew they'd get one chance and it finally came about midway through the 2nd period. Gage and Albert got caught out of position and their number 10 got a free run on goal, but luckily for United Mike Smith got back to deflect his shot for a corner. Hanly was the third player to be replaced with Young taking his place. Mo was chopped down by the home number 4 once more and this time referee McFadden showed him a yellow card. United of course completely messed up with this free kick, Cutch who was badly out of touch today, blasting wide of the goal.

United frittered away several more chances, first when Cutch cut in from the right only to drive his shot into the side-netting and then when Gazza eluded a crude tackle down the left and our forwards stood and watched as his cross went for a throw-in. Cutch did manage to thread a ball to Sparky but he was adjudged to be offside, but I couldn't say for sure. With injury time approaching the home team's number four committed a bad foul on Young and referee McFadden had little alternative but to caution him once more, his second offence, which meant he was sent off. as if to even things up he then cautioned Albert for an innocuous foul as the match drew to a close. We had achieved the objective, we were through to the next round, but it could've been and should've been, a lot more convincing, a vast improvement will be needed, but at least we're still in the mix!

Nelson (7), M. Smith (7), Archie (8), Gage (7), Albert (7), Murray (8)(Sub: Mo 6,), Rory (8)(Sub: Colligan 6,), Gazza (7), Hanly (6)(Sub: Young 7,), Sparky (6), Cutch (5)

Man of the match: Rory Carson

Carson's Clincher!

2010-09-11T22:50:00.002+01:00

Gibbo, who missed United's County Antrim shield defeat on Tuesday night at the hands of the 'hatchet men', made a welcome return to action today at the expense of local lad Mo McDowell. It was also encouraging to see the injured Rory Carson on the bench, after missing the previous three games. Gibbo foolishly went for a high ball he had no chance of reaching and referee Steven Weatherall, immediately flashed a yellow card for what can best be described as a clumsy challenge. The linesman at the Fisherwick end appeared to be on his game as he flagged for a couple of close offside decisions, but then normal service was resumed when he allowed a blatant offside to go unpunished.
The visitors were the hungrier side as they forced several corners, although none came to fruition.

Eamon Murray skipped past his marker down the left wing and his whipped left-foot cross was cleared at the expense of a corner. Not for the first time, we didn't capitalise with the corner and the chance went begging. In fact it was the visitors who came closest to breaking the deadlock in a first half dominated by heavy rain, when after Albert had attempted to play offside (Linesman blameless on this occasion), the situation was averted when Nelson rushed from his goal to make a good stop. United's close passing upfront was quite delicate, but the final pass seemed to go astray on every occasion. Cutch should've done better when the linesman's flag stayed down as he cut inside, but he shot tamely at the keeper.

United were in a wasteful mood today, as they continually gave up possession, with short free kicks and corners hit too long. The best corner in my book is one on the penalty spot, which if the keeper comes and misses, an open goal beckons. Ours are either to the back post (in fact they're mostly way beyond it), or 'wee buns' for the keeper. The short free kicks seemed to involve Archie, Albert and Taggart, none of whom are too happy on the ball and as a result the ball usually went back to Dwayne. We also found it difficult to clear our lines, but somehow survived to halftime.

2nd half

United were out at least 3 minutes early, which generally doesn't bode well, as it usually depicts a team who can't wait to get the game over. United were a bit more forceful this half and only the referee knows how he failed to award a penalty, when Cutch was flattened by visiting keeper Hillen. As if to add insult to injury, referee Weatherall awarded a free kick against the Cutch, a real miscarriage of justice. Midfielder Gavin Taggart, who's been playing really well recently, was having a real stinker today and couldn't do right for doing wrong. Fifteen minutes into the second period and United manager Roy Walker made one of the best substitutions he's ever likely to make, taking off the misfiring Taggart and bringing on Carson for his competitive home début.

What a transformation this brought about, suddenly there was a new purpose to our play and we began to exert some real pressure down both flanks. Mike Smith, who had been fairly quiet, burst onto a through pass and even though his cross was feeble, Cutch and Gibbo should've done better as the Newry defence was at sixes and sevens. Two minutes later, Mike after good interplay between Sparky and Carson sprinted to the byline before nailing a perfect cross to the unmarked Cutch. As Cutch rose gracefully to head into the empty net the home fans were on their feet, only to gaze on in astonishment when our top scorer headed wide. I was starting to wonder if it was going to be one of those days when the breakthrough finally came.

After good play down the right, first Cutch, then Hanley and Mike Smith all had shots blocked before the coolest player on the pitch, Rory Carson, drove the ball into the net for his first United goal. What a relief that was as the home fans stood and applauded, not a great goal but a vital one which lifted United into joint fifth, just 2 points behind Lisburn in 2nd place. That goal arrived in the 72nd minute and two minutes later referee Weatherall adjudged that Carson was fouled in the box and awarded a 'soft' penalty to United. Top scorer Cutch grabbed the ball, as is his right, but his weak shot was easily saved by visiting keeper Nathan Hillen, a bad miss.

Newry rung the changes, bringing on all three subs but United were content to stick with the players who were on the pitch. With fulltime approaching some neat interplay between Carson, Smith and Sparky opened up the Newry defence and when Carson broke onto a Gibbo pass, keeper Hillen tripped him inside the box. Referee Weatherall penalised the keeper this time but for some reason known only to himself, no automatic red card was flourished. Hanley elected to take this penalty but his effort was also saved by Hillen, who of course should've been in the dressing room by now instead of on the pitch. Despite the three added minutes, the visitors failed to punish us for our benevolence and we ran out easy winners in the end, but it should've been a lot easier. Former United all-time great, Jimmy Martin, whom Omar assures me only missed one penalty during a distinguished United career, could surely give the boys a few pointers on how they should be taken!

Nelson (7), Sparky (7), Archie (7), Albert (7), Gage (7), M. Smith (8), Taggart (5)(Sub: Carson 8,), Hanley (7), Murray (7), Gibbo (7), Cutch (6)

Man of the match: Mike Smith

Murray Mist!

2010-09-08T23:42:00.002+01:00

It may seem strange that I've entitled my piece Murray Mist, admittedly Eamon Murray was by far our best player in last night's Shield quarter-final, but he also got and missed our best chance. It didn't seem to me to be a difficult chance either, one-on-one with the keeper, on his favourite right-foot and still he failed to hit the target, almost unforgivable. United were at that stage of a largely forgettable first half in the ascendency and I believe that a score then would've set us up for a victory. So I was wondering is there a 'mist' that comes over Eamon's eyes when he's about to shoot and that is why he screwed his shot wide, it would definitely explain a lot of things.

United showing one change from their starting line-up of Saturday past, with Sparky partnering Cutch in the absence of Gibbo, Mike Smith moving back to rightback and Mo coming in on the right-wing. The linesman at the Fisherwick end gave us a false sense of security when he flagged for a dubious looking offside in our favour, but on the down side two mins later he kept his flag down when there were two Crues players five yards offside, a diabolical decision which could've cost us dear, but tragedy was averted by a good tackle. Other than that, the most of the first half, like the entire match was a non-event. Nathan Hanley, who takes all our dead ball kicks at the moment, seems to have only one ploy, hitting the ball deep, which as far as I can see is a complete waste of time and so it proved tonight.

United did though carve out a good chance near the end of the first half, when Cutch fed Mo, who passed to Sparky and he in turn found the unmarked Murray, who with the goal at his mercy somehow screwed his shot wide. Then on the halftime whistle Cutch played Sparky in and his shot was blocked before falling to Mo and his follow-up was cleared for a corner, but there wasn't enough time to take it.

2nd half

What a different team the Crues were in the second-half as they stepped up the pace and United had no answer to it. We fans could see that it was just a matter of time before the visitors penetrated our defence, while our manager 'Rip van Roy' seemed oblivious to what was happening. Disaster finally struck with 60 minutes on the clock, when Gage, probably the pick of our defenders missed a tackle and as the pass came in the unmarked Rainey swept the ball into the net to put the visitors in front. This set-back at least woke Roy from his slumbers, taking off Mo and Taggart, with George Young and the untried Dowie taking their place. We immediately switched to a 4,3,3 formation, but with no height upfront it was 'wee buns' for the Crues defence.

Surely our manager must play his last card I thought and bring on Gazza and put him up front or at least throw Gage up there as we were resorting to thumping the ball up, in a hit and hope scenario. But alas it seemed that Roy was content to watch the Crues defence dominate our wee forward line as he refused to bring on his last sub, no doubt saving him for the penalty shoot-out. Hanley was denied by a superb save from Keenan and I just got the impression it wasn't going to be our night. We did create one more chance, when local boy George Young sprinted into the box but his shot struck the post, yet again a failure to hit the target.

Despite forcing several corners, all but one hit too wide, it was the visitors defence who claimed almost them all. Gage did get his head to the one that wasn't too wide, but his 'free header' failed to find the target and our best chance of a trophy (our manager's very words), had gone abegging and worst of all the players didn't look too despondent, or at least that was the impression I got!

Nelson (6), M.Smith (6), Archie (5), Albert (6), Gage (7), Mo (6)(Sub: Dowie 5,), Taggart (6)(Sub: Young 6,), Hanley (6), Murray (7), Sparky (6), Cutch (6)

Man of the match: Eamon Murray

Corner Boys!

2010-09-04T23:13:00.002+01:00

United made only one change to their starting eleven of Tuesday night, with Eamon Murray replacing the injured Rory Carson. This move meant that Hanley moved to centre-midfield and Murray slotting into a wide left position. Gibbo and Hanley were making their home debuts and it was fitting that they were both involved when United opened the scoring after only 8 minutes. Handley swung over a corner from the right and Gibbo found his strike partner Cutch who in turn found the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season with a firm header. What a change from United's last home game which ended in an inglorious defeat at the hands of Donegal Celtic as during the first half today they were a completely different prospect. Soon after Mike smith saw his left-foot shot just clear the crossbar after a one two with Gibbo.

United were in the ascendency in the first half and looked likely to add to their score, when the 'blight' of football reared it's ugly head. This was the disgraceful scene of a player feigning a serious injury in order to get another player cautioned. This is a deplorable action at the best of times but when it is practised by a former player it is even more galling. Gibbo and former United defender Kieran Donaghy met in a challenge for a fifty/fifty ball, only for the reds defender to roll about writhing in agony in order to get the Ballymena player booked. Referee Colin Burns, not the smartest joker in the pack, fell for it 'hook line and sinker' cautioning the United striker, while Donaghy didn't even have the decency to limp off, what a con artist.

United almost doubled their lead midway through the half when Archie was involved in a double one/two. First he exchanged passes with Murray and then raced onto a lay-off from Gibbo, before shooting with his right-foot and visiting keeper Connelly could only parry the defenders shot, before it was hooked to safety. I must confess I didn't know Archie even had a right-foot, never mind having the ability to shoot with it. The visitors came into the game a bit more as the half went on, aided and abetted by a linesman at the Fisherwick end who continually missed blatant offsides. The United defence was clinging on and keeper Dwayne Nelson kept them in the game with a finger tip save. Referee Burns drew the wrath of United fans when Murray was scythed down when clean through by the last man, surely a red card, but the inept official took no action, merely awarding the free kick. Hanley's effort ballooned miles over the bar, a terrible waste.

The visitors were revitalised after this lifeline and attacked the home defence with renewed vigour. A goal looked imminent but when it came, a minute before halftime, it wasn't without controversy. The linesman at the Fisherwick end, although for the umpteenth time not up with play, agreed with visiting forward Chris Scannell that home keeper Nelson had carried the ball over the goal-line and a corner was given. When the corner came in Arch villain, Kieran Donaghy, headed the ball across goal and his defensive partner Peter Hutton rose unchallenged to head the equaliser. Referee Burns found 2 minutes of added time and during this extra period the United defence were clinging on for dear life and we all breathed a sigh of relief at the halftime whistle.

2nd Half

United didn't come out for the 2nd period and should've been blown away during a ten minute spell when the visitors appeared to break the offside trap at will (was the linesman at the Farm Lodge end having a sleep now I wondered) and luckily for the United defence after Scannell had rounded keeper Nelson, he somehow missed the target. Nelson then made a good save at the feet of Reds forward, Garret but United were still under the cosh. United fans were calling for a change to be made, but manager Walker was oblivious to their pleas and stuck manfully to his guns. United had another let-off when a shot from new Reds boy, Barry Johnstone, beat Nelson but smacked the crossbar (I say new boy, but Johnstone is in his third spell at Solitude, so hardly qualifies as a new boy, now does he?).

United gradually began to get a foothold in the 2nd half and Cutch saw an effort blocked by the visiting defence after a nice pass from Murray. Gavin Taggart, who has come on leaps and bounds since his low against the D.C. was directing matters from midfield and Murray began to make even more probing runs at the visitor's defence. Finally Rip Van Walker awoke from his slumbers and took off Sparky and brought on Mo, with Mike Smith moving back to right-back. The Reds also rang the changes and I for one was glad to see the back of Stephen Garret, who in his Newry days was a constant 'thorn in the flesh' for the Sky Blues. A nice move up the left flank saw Murray chopped down inside the box, but referee Burns decided he had 'dived', but why would he as he was 'clean through' on goal, yet another diabolical decision.

With time running out it was obvious that whoever scored the next goal would take the points and United began to step up the pace with Mo and Murray both showing some wing wizardry. Mo was unceremoniously chopped down as he sped down the right flank, which brought the United fans to their feet in condemnation. United had one final chance to wrap up the points when Gage got his head to a Hanley corner but the ball flew past Connelly's right post, when surely hitting the target was of prime importance. Despite referee Burns finding three minutes of stoppage time, when only four substitutions were made, there was no further scoring and the spoils were shared. In the end probably a fair result, but with a little bit of luck and a strong referee (is there such a thing I ask you?), United could've taken all three!

Nelson (7), Sparky (6)(Sub: Mo (7), Archie (7), Albert (7), Gage (7), M. Smith (7), Taggart (8), Hanley (8), Murray (8), Cutch (8), Gibbo (7)

Man of the match: Nathan Handley

Floodlight Robbery!

2010-08-31T23:35:00.004+01:00

United were caught with two late sucker punches when they lost 2-1 to the hatchet men at Seaview. United had led through Gary McCutcheon's 37th minute strike, which was his third goal in as many games for the Sky Blues. It was backs to the wall stuff for United for most of the remainder of this game, but just when it looked like they might hold out the Crues stole their thunder with 2 late goals in the last 2 minutes of normal time. This was especially hard on United keeper Dwayne Nelson, who in a 'man of the match' performance, had kept his team in the lead with some wonderful saves.

United manager Roy Walker had selected his more attacking 4,4,2 formation with Gibbo and Cutch up front and leaving local boy Mo McDowell on the bench. United started slowly and it was a good 10 minutes before they began to mount a serious attack on the hatchet men's goal. The Crues on the other hand were constantly buzzing around United's penalty box and Denver Gage was making quite a few blunders, which led to even more pressure on our beleaguered defence. Nelson pulled off a couple of good saves and Albert (Watson), also stepped up to the plate when required. Twenty five minutes into the game and United were relieved two see two shots in quick succession thunder off Nelson's left-hand post.

The first shot was a long range effort from defender McCann, who intercepted a Gavin Taggart pass before thundering a 25 yard shot off the post. Ex-Glentoran player Mike Halliday picked up the rebound and cut in from the left, but his cross shot cannoned off the same post to safety. United were under the cosh for the next few minutes and a score for the home team looked imminent, but we weathered the storm and gradually began to get a foothold in the match. Gavin Taggart split the home defence with a lovely through ball to Cutch, who drew home keeper Keenan from his goal and then cut inside before firing into the net to put United one ahead in the 37th minute. This goal was completely against the run of play, but referee Creaney appeared to be hell bent on evening things up as he continually favoured the home side with some bizarre decisions.

None was more bizarre than his award of a foul against Gibbo when he dribbled past Crues defender McCann and then was pulled up after he found Cutch with a pass, weird and wonderful are the workings of a referee's mind. The linesman at the City end of the ground tried to join in the act when he refused to hoist his flag when a home player was two yards offside, luckily the move petered out and United were able to clear the ball up-field. Right on the blow, Gage came to the Sky Blues rescue, with a vital saving header as Halliday closed in. This meant United went in at halftime with a slender if somewhat undeserved halftime lead, but knowing it would take two goals to beat it.

2nd Half
The home team made a change at halftime with last year's top scorer Rainey taking Halliday's place upfront. United seemed content to let the home team dictate the pace, though when they did try to break-out, referee Creaney always found some petty infringement to pull them up for. It was obvious a change would have to be made to the United line-up, but when it came it was something of a surprise for all concerned. Rory Carson was proving to be a tigerish tackler in midfield, but it was he who made way for Mo. Well he at least tried to, but before he made it off the field referee Creaney in his wisdom allowed the game to restart. Here we had the ludicrous situation where United had a man on the pitch who for all intents and purposes was an illegal player, luckily referee Creaney finally awoke from his slumbers a minute later and allowed the substitution to take place.

With Mo coming on in the wide left position Hanley moved inside, but I think we lost Carson's high work rate and tough tackling in midfield and it was a crucial factor in our losing of this game. Still I'm not the manager and his substitution almost paid a huge dividend when Mo sprinted down the left wing onto a Hanley pass, before cutting inside. We all held our collective breaths waiting for Mo to bring the ball onto his right foot and go for goal. Alas we were disappointed as the wingman just squared the ball aimlessly and the chance was lost. At the other end Nelson made a superb one-handed save to deny Owens and then was relieved to see Rainey miss with a far post header.

Gavin Taggart limped out with 12 minutes remaining on the clock to be replaced by Gazza and then it was really backs to the wall as Nelson's punch barely cleared the danger area and we were lucky to get the ball clear. As the home team continued to press Gage cleared the ball up field where it fell into Gibbo's path and the big striker sped down the left wing before cutting inside and shooting for goal from an acute angle. Home keeper Keenan produced a wonder save to deny Gibbo, but I wondered if Gibbo should have passed to Cutch instead, who was better positioned. The home team were battering away at United and when Gibbo tried to relieve the pressure with a headed pass to Cutch, referee Creaney again allowed that the big striker had committed a foul. Nelson saved us again when he clutched a goal-bound header at the last moment.

Tragedy struck for the United defence in the 88th minute when a long range shot from Coates went past the unsighted Nelson to level the scores and 2 minutes later the mugging was complete when Owens squeezed in a shot after United had failed to clear their lines and the 3 points that were in our grasp had slipped away. The only bit of silver lining was the news that our dear friends from the bannside had lost again and still haven't managed a goal, after five matches, life as they say, can be a bitch, but sometimes, it can be a rather nice bitch!

Nelson (9), Sparky (7), Archie (7), Albert (8), Gage (7), M. Smith (7), Carson (8)(Sub: Mo 6), Taggart (8)(Sub: Gazza 7), Hanley (6), Cutch (8), Gibbo (7)

Man of the match: Dwayne Nelson

Armagh's Da's!

2010-08-28T00:05:00.004+01:00

United proved tonight that they surely like the conditions in the County of Armagh, with this their second successive win in the orchard County. Glenavon, unbeaten before tonight, were undone by the Sky Blues with just 8 minutes on the clock. United had made just one change to their starting line-up of six days earlier at Shamrock Park, Portadown, with Rory Carson replacing George Young. United continued their ploy of playing Cutch up front on his own backed up by a 5 man midfield. Glenavon showed some early touches, but the United back-four, in which Denver Gage was outstanding dealt easily with them, before deservedly taking the lead through top scorer Gary McCutcheon.

Gavin Taggart, revelling in his midfield role saw his shot deflect off Stuarty King's nose (forgive me for a bit of poetic licence here), before Cutch placed a delightful header beyond the outstretched arms of home keeper Plummer. This goal set the United band rolling and they continued to take the game to the league leaders, with debutant Rory Carson involved in most moves. Trevor Molloy (Molly Malone to United followers), showed a nice bit of dribbling skill, but luckily for the Sky Blues he shot over the bar. Soon after the wee Dubliner sped onto a Grant knock down but United keeper Nelson, came out to block his shot, which in any case was aborted by the linesman's flag for offside.

As United tried to exert some pressure themselves, Rory Carson was felled by a high tackle and referee Malcolm took no action against the culprit and in fact wouldn't allow the United physio to attend to the player, who was obviously dazed. Finally the 'penny dropped' for Malcolm and he allowed the United physio to lead the player to the sidelines and administer the smelling salts. A late tackle by Grant and seconds later a deliberate push on Denver Gage were overlooked by the referee. But ten minutes before halftime he booked United's Nathan Handley for a high tackle on Molly Malone and even though the player 'milked' the situation, it was obvious that he was unhurt.

Dwayne Nelson, who had one of his better games, completely mishit an attempted clearance and was happy to see the follow-up shot drift wide of his posts. Despite renewed pressure from the home side United easily held out until halftime, although Grant somehow missed with a free header and then when he finally managed to get one over the keeper's head, Gage was there with a clearing header which went over the bar for a corner. Halftime was reached with United still leading by a solitary one goal.

2nd Half!

United, as at Portadown, made one change at half-time, with Gibbo coming on for the injured Carson, still feeling we had a real chance. Gibbo gives us a more balanced side and is a real target man, which in turn allows the midfielders to get up in support of the front two. United looked good on the break, while the home team stepped up the pace and Nelson had to be alert to thwart renewed pressure on his goal. His two lieutenants, Albert and Denver, were in tip top form, ably backed up by Archie and Sparky. Still the home team were finding a lotta space down that right hand side and Nelson came to our rescue several more times with some nice saves and a telling block by Albert when the keeper was stranded.

Captain Gazza came on for Mo and soon after Cutch almost doubled our lead when his cheeky back-heel from a Taggart free-kick, appeared to go over the line but was not given. Next to go was a strangely quiet Nathan Hanley, with Lee Colligan taking his place. United were firmly on the back foot now and the home team threw everything including the kitchen sink at us, but through good fortune and good defensive work, we managed to survive, but only just! Nelson was subjected to some late challenges, ignored for the most part by referee Malcolm, but even he had to acknowledge a trip on the impressive Mike Smith as he cut inside late-on.

United were looking for the insurance goal and it finally arrived three minutes before the final whistle. There had been a few false dawns, but this one was worth waiting on as Taggart fed Mike Smith and he cut inside before giving a slide-rule pass to the inrushing Gibbo, who duly crashed the ball into the net and opened his United scoring account in the process. The fans, myself included were in raptures and it was as if we had actually won something, not just added another three points. despite referee Malcolm's added 3 minutes, the Sky Blues held out although Nelson had to be alert to turn a McDonagh shot round the post. A minute later the final whistle sounded and United had won yet another game away from home, roll on our match away to the Crues next Tuesday night, I can hardly wait!

Nelson (8), Sparky (8), Archie (8), Albert (8), Gage (9), M.Smith (8),Carson (7)(Sub: Gibbo 8), Taggart (8), Hanley (8)(Sub: Colligan 7), Mo (7)Sub: Gazza 7), Cutch (8)

Man of the match: Denver Gage

Long View!

2010-08-22T09:27:00.003+01:00

United manager Roy Walker believes we should take the 'long view' when charting United's progress and after our display at home to D.C. last week, it looked like a very 'long view' was going to be necessary. United fans also had to take the 'long view' at Shamrock Park, as they were herded into the stand behind the goals at one end of the ground. When i saw the United team sheet I was a little dismayed by the formation, at 4,5,1, leaving the Cutch to fight a lone battle upfront, but by and large it worked. The team showed six changes from last week and one positional change as Sparky returned at right-back, releasing Mike Smith into a wide right role. Dwayne Nelson was in goal in place of the injured Ryan Brown, while Denver Gage cane into the back four to partner Albert, with Archie slotting in at left-back, as Colligan was rested.

Out went Berry, Murray and Captain Gazza from midfield, with George Young, Mo McDowell and new signing Nathan Hanley, slotting in alongside Taggart and Mike Smith. Andy Smith was out with an injury, surprise, surprise and that left Cutch to plough a lone furrow up front. United took a little time to settle into their new system which entailed Mike and Mo getting up to support the Cutch, who from the start looked a lot sharper. The first real chances came to the home team and the United fans behind Dwayne Nelson's goal were happy to see first Braniff and then Leckey blast over from similar positions inside the box. Referee Turkington drew the wrath of United fans and their manager when he cautioned Taggart for merely kicking the ball back to the correct spot, when Portadown tried to take a free kick from the wrong spot.

Five minutes later he also yellow carded Albert for a trip and stopped play when the home team had a good advantage to administer the caution. Hanley was showing some good touches for the Sky Blues and when they won a a corner on the right he took it with his left foot, but the delivery was too long and it eluded everybody in Sky Blue. Mike and George (Young), were combining well down the right and won a free kick near the corner flag and Hanley went across to take it, while Mo took up a wide left position. As the ball came in it flicked off a defender's head and Mo headed it back in where Sparky towered above the Port's defence to head United into the lead. The fans were ecstatic but it would've been better if we could've seen the goal or who scored it as it was 150 yards away from our position, obviously the home announcer doesn't mention who scores opposition goals.

Taggart, who last week had been abysmal, was taking control in midfield and Cutch was starting to look dangerous up front. Five minutes after taking the lead, United deservedly doubled their advantage, when after some nice interplay between, Taggart, Mo and Hanley, the latter had his left-foot shot blocked by a Port's defender. He reacted quickly and drove a right-foot shot into the net from 15 yards. Some of the United fans actually saw this score, which in itself was a minor miracle. Turkington then cautioned United's Denver Gage for dangerous play and two mins later allowed a home player to get away with an arm on Cutch.The home team stepped up the pace a bit after this and we had a couple of lucky escapes, when Braniff headed wide when it looked easier to score and then from a corner the United defence left three men unmarked but Mouncey headed wide. Nelson was in more assured form when he came for a through ball with Leckey raising his foot, unpunished by the referee. Despite these couple of scares the Sky Blues were applauded off at halftime leading by two goals to nil.

2nd half
United made one change at for the 2nd period with Dick Gibson coming on in place of George and we reverted to a more attacking 4,4,2 system. As we had chatted at halftime we thought if we could hold them for the first 15 mins of the 2nd half we would be okay, but our defences were breached after only 6 minutes of the restart. The United defence allowed a cross to come in from the right and the unmarked Tim Mouncey made no mistake this time with a powerful header. This goal was simplicity itself and it made us a wee bit nervous I can tell you. But it was United with sub Gibson proving a handful who looked the more dangerous from there on and Albert missed with a free header from a Hanley free kick and then Mo forced a finger tip save from the home keeper with a rasping shot which we all thought was in.

On the hour mark Sparky made way for Gazza, with Mike dropping back to right-back and soon afterwards Archie should've made the points safe when he sprinted into the box after a lay-off from Gibson, but he somehow screwed his shot wide with Port's keeper Miskelly scrambling. Archie, who's not known for his overlapping skills then sprinted onto another through ball and his pass this time just eluded Cutch. We knew the third goal was coming and when it came it was a gem. United won a corner and when the ball ballooned up in the air off a Port's defender's head, Gibson cleverly headed the ball to Cutch and he gleefully headed home against his former club from six yards. We fans were of course ecstatic as we had a bird's eye view of this goal.

Mo then made way for Murray and United continued to put the home defence under pressure with some glorious flowing moves. Referee Turkington merely booked a Port's forward when he scythed down our keeper as he punched a cross away, surely a clear case for a red card. United easily held the home team at bay for the rest of the game and during the 3 added minutes were still trying to play constructive football. As the game drew to a close we were trying to remember the last time we had so convincing a victory at Shamrock Park, but decided it had been a long time, but we agreed it was almost worth waiting on!

Nelson (8), Sparky (8) (Sub: Gazza 7), Archie (7), Albert (7), Gage (8), M. Smith (7), Young (7)(Sub: Gibson 8), Taggart (8), Hanley (8), Mo (7)(Sub: Murray 7), Cutch (8)

Man of the match: Gavin Taggart

Dee Ceased!

2010-08-16T09:21:00.002+01:00

United's season is almost dead and buried before it has really begun, maybe I'm being a bit over-dramatic here, but the ease with which newly promoted Donegal Celtic (D.C.), ripped through our defence was terrifying to put it mildly. Nobody in our back four emerged with any credit from Saturday's game and goalkeeper Ryan Brown must've been longing to be back in the first division. As a former defender myself I had always tried to keep tight on my opponent and try to direct him toward the by-line, obviously our defenders are quite happy to shepherd them towards the centre, if Saturday's game was anything to judge them by.

The defence was bad and the midfield was non-existent, Ryan Berry, showed exactly why he's been spending his time in the lower division recently, while Gavin Taggart proved it was possible to be worse than at Windsor, with a display which was at best mediocre. Eamon Murray did show a few flashes of class and how referee Halliday failed to caution the D.C. player who scythed him down in the first minute is beyond me. Gazza tried his eye-strings out, but he was fighting a lone battle while upfront Andy Smith was running about like a headless chicken and Cutch was having a stroll in the sun.

It was obvious that changes would have to be made, but Roy fiddled while D.C. suddenly realised we were there for the taking. Their first goal after 26 minutes was simplicity itself, although referee Halliday played a major part in it. Mike Smith, whose head is somewhere else at the moment, was penalised at a throw-in and the throw went to the visitors, for whatever reason. Maybe our defence was unsettled by this and that would explain why they allowed Mark Dickson, to dribble unchallenged into the penalty box before setting up Mark Cleary for an easy finish. Two minutes later they doubled their score as winger McVeigh skipped up the left wing unchallenged by Berry or Mike Smith and his pull-back was driven home by Stephen McAlorum, while Watson and keeper Brown got entangled, not a pretty sight.

United were struggling to clear their lines and it was obvious that a change need to be made upfront as the forwards were unable or unwilling to hold the ball for any length of time. D.C. had obviously done their homework on us and were not giving our back four the chance to play out of defence and showed up the shortcomings in manager Walker's tactics, in short we're a one-dimensional team. With halftime approaching it seemed obvious that at least a double substitution would have to be made, a midfielder and a forward. The midfielder had to be the inadequate Taggart, while the striker should've been Smith, who looked like a man wanting to be sent off, probably anxious to miss the game at Portadown next week.

2nd half
United made one change at halftime with Berry making way for Mo McDowell, obviously Roy being a brilliant tactician could see that was the weak link in our team. Andy Smith almost got his day-off next Saturday when he was cautioned for an elbow on D.C. defender Watson, but this seemed to calm him down a bit. United, even with Mo on the left wing and Murray on the right, still failed to trouble the visiting defence and in fact fell further behind, when the linesman at the far end of the ground went asleep and allowed that McVeigh was onside despite being 2 yards beyond the last defender (maybe the linesman thought he was playing him on) and he was allowed to run through on goal before shooting through Archie's legs and past the hapless Brown in the United goal.

United's afternoon was summed up 7 minutes later when Taggart gave away possession for the umpteenth time, Gazza, in attempting to clear his lines, scythed down a D.C. forward instead and D.C. top player, McVeigh, sent Brown the wrong way from the resultant penalty. Manger Walker (or Rip Van Winkle to give him his proper title), finally took Taggart off with George Young taking his place and he at least injected some forward movement into our play. Walker finally played his last card, bringing on Mackers for Mike Smith, which meant Andy Smith dropping into a 5 man midfield and us going to 3 at the back, not what I call a positive move by any means. Although I was glad to see Mackers get his chance, I keep wondering what Walker's saving his first signing of the close season, Richard Gibson for? We'll probably never know, but surely a run out on Saturday in place of either our two inept strikers would have shown if there was anything but a bleak future ahead of us.

United's ineptitude in front of goal was demonstrated perfectly when Young sprinted into the box and delivered a gem of a cross, while his fellow players stood and watched, none willing to make an effort to get a touch on the ball. The D.C. keeper, who had hardly broken a sweat, must've breathed a sigh of relief and knew that he was going to have a clean sheet, with this punch-less home attack, a quiet day at the office for him. Thankfully the visitors were content with their easy victory and as for United they are in the league position they have finished in for the last two seasons, 10th and it's hard to see how they can improve on this showing, in fact if something isn't done and done pretty quickly, it'll be a bleak outlook for the Sky Blues this season!

Brown (6), M. Smith (4)(Sub: Mackers 6), Colligan (4), Watson (4), Archie (5), Berry (4)(Sub: McDowell 6), Taggart (3)(Sub: Young 6), Gazza (6), Murray (5), A. Smith (4), Cutch (4)

Man of the match: Gazza

Daggers Drawn!

2010-08-08T09:15:00.007+01:00

United came into this game on a hiding to nothing, they were to be the proverbial lambs to the slaughter, but they left it with a fully deserved point. Scoreless draws can be boring and dull, but this game was anything but. United as expected gave a debut to goalkeeper Ryan (not Robert as erroneously stated in Sky Blue Sport's news), Brown, midfielders Eamon Murray and Ryan Berry, while upfront Gary McCutcheon also made his first competitive start. The other new arrivals, Ricky Gibson, Denver Gage and Mo McDowell had to settle for a place on the bench. United began in a determined fashion, attacking the goals where their supporters were marooned in the Spion Kop stand, while the North stand is being repaired

Eamon Murray showed a good turn of speed when he chased an Andy Smith pass, but was unable to make a telling cross. At the other end keeper Brown calmed his defenders when he came out to clutch a dangerous cross. Andy Smith, who had been rated doubtful with an injury, was in the thick of things early on and Linfield's Garret dumped him with a scything tackle, the first of many 'glossed over' by referee Crangle. This got the Linfield fans on Andy's back, no doubt a throw-back to his Glentoran days. Andy should have silenced them when he burst onto a Ryan Berry pass, but his attempted chip just cleared the crossbar, with Linfield keeper Blaney scrambling.

The United goal had a let-off when keeper Brown got suckered into chasing a wide cross and when the ball came back, Mulgrew somehow headed over with the goal at his mercy. Gary McCutcheon showed a nice turn in the Linfield box but his cross found two home defenders as neither Murray nor Haveron had ventured into the area. Blaney kept the scores level when after some neat play between Murray and McCutcheon (hereafter known as Cutch), he saved a fierce shot from Cutch. United had another let-off when Thompson headed wide after slipping his marker. As the home team stepped up the pressure, Archie made a timely interception and as the ball came back in Albert was on hand to clear.

Linfield's Garret escaped another booking when after he was robbed by Murray he scythed the United man down. Linfield had a player carried off when he fouled Andy Smith, but came off second best. In first half injury time United should've had a penalty when Andy Smith was blatantly pushed in the penalty box but they had to settle for a free kick outside as Berry was fouled in a follow up attack. Unfortunately Gazza's free kick cannoned off the Linfield wall to safety. Referee Crangle allowed the game to continue for 3 minutes instead of the stipulated two, but still the deadlock was unbroken.

2nd Half
The home team made a double substitution at the start of the 2nd period and immediately stepped up the pressure. United were indebted at this stage to their defence, in which Albert and Ryan Brown were the rocks. Little was seen of the United attack in the second half and as a result they were constantly under pressure. Referee Crangle showed his benevolence wasn't going to stretch to United players when he cautioned Taggart for a late tackle. Admittedly it was a late tackle, but it wasn't vicious, not in the mould of any tackles by the home team in the first half, but we know all the shortcomings of referee Crangle.

United did attempt to change things when Berry was replaced by McDowell and even though he didn't see a lot of the ball, the local lad showed some clever touches. From virtually his first touch United could and should've taken the lead, but the chance was spurned. Andy Smith, a thorn in the home's sides flesh throughout the game, won a corner out on the right and from McDowell's dead ball kick Gazza rose unchallenged, but with the goal at his mercy headed over the bar, a bad miss. Gazza also spurned a half chance later on, when after a clever one-two with Andy, he looked to pass instead of going for goal himself and the ball rolled harmlessly over the goal-line.

These were rare attacks as the home team appeared to have the linesman at their end of the pitch well educated as he flagged United players in general and Cutch in particular offside constantly. He even ignored two blatant fouls committed under his nose by home players, but it was Windsor Park after all. United were forced to make a substitution with 10 minutes left when after yet another blatant foul ignored by the referee this time, Murray was forced to retire, with another local man Denver Gage taking his place. Denny was straight into the action with a headed clearance from a corner by the home team and two minutes later was I thought harshly adjudged to have fouled Thompson when it looked as if the Linfield man was 'backing' in.

Referee Crangle, unlike the infidel McCourt on United's last visit to Windsor, rightly disallowed a goal for the home team when keeper Brown was fouled as he came for the ball. Andy Smith, forever the diplomat, demonstrated to Brown how he should come for crosses in future and then he wouldn't have to rely on the fickleness of referees. Brown came to United's rescue twice more first with a good smothering save and then a punch as two men closed in. During this spell of heavy pressure, Gavin Taggart put us under more pressure with a few loose passes and Mike Smith after a brilliant interception and dribble away from trouble needlessly gave the ball away.

Referee Crangle found four minutes of stoppage time from somewhere and actually managed to stretch it to five. United were not to be undone at this stage however and manager Walker didn't even use the ploy of bringing on his last sub, content to allow the players on the pitch to hold their end up to the finish. When the final whistle came the United fans were on their feet cheering wildly and it was after all only a draw, but what a draw. We went to the league champions, took everything they could throw at us and probably with a little bit more composure, ah well as they say, that's life!

Brown (8), M. Smith (7), Colligan (7), Albert (8), Archie (7), Berry (7)Sub: (McDowell, 7), Taggart (6), Gazza (7), Murray (7)Sub: (Denny, 7), Andy (8), Cutch (7),
Man of the match: Albert Watson

Almost! Almost!

2010-05-02T11:19:00.000+01:00

United went into their last league game of yet another pathetic campaign, with a chance to leapfrog their opponents Glenavon and finish in an undeserved 8th place. Thankfully justice was done and we finished where we belong, in the bottom three, but we almost stole the win. It didn't look that way in the early stages as we conceded a goal after only four minutes and we were relieved to see another cross-cum-shot come off the bar soon after. Andy Smith made a surprise return to the starting line-up after injury, as did Sparky after suspension. United had a back four of Kit, Albert, Gazza and Archie, obviously Roy is obsessed with centre backs, while a midfield of Muir, Taggart and Mike and allegedly Andy Smith, backed up Sparky and Kelbie up front.

Referee Mark Courtney, no stranger to controversy involving United games (ham shank being one special one), gave the home team a controversial free kick, when former United player Stuarty King, lost possession of the ball and went in 'over the top' on Kit Ramsay, only for the referee to award a free to Glenavon. How he arrived at this decision is beyond me, but that's still no excuse for our defence's negative attitude in dealing with the situation. King took the kick himself and our defenders allowed it to bounce and it flew over Nelson's head into the net. Most fans blamed the keeper, but the defence was also to blame as they never attacked the ball, but Dwayne should have got it. Five minutes later another cross from the left cannoned off the crossbar with Nelson struggling.

United's attack was nearly non-existent at this stage and Andy Smith was running around like a headless chicken, sometimes in attack, sometimes in midfield and screaming every-time anybody came near him. The one bright spark in the United team at this stage was Mike Smith, who after one jinking run, tried a left-foot shot but failed to find the target. A change was needed if United were to get in the game and it happened unexpectedly, when after a late tackle on Kit he was unable to continue and the 'veteran' Locky came on. This meant the versatile Sparky was witched to rightback with Locky moving into midfield and suddenly we looked like a different team. The Glenavon players weren't so cocky now and when United were on one attack home player Murray deliberately handled the ball to stop play, referee Courtney failed to caution the culprit.

United finally got back on terms when Locky, belying his years, chased the ball wide on the left and despite having three defenders round him came away with the ball, cut along the by-line before finding the unmarked Kelbie at the far post and he headed his 15th goal of the season and allegedly his last in a United shirt. Suddenly we were full of confidence and Andy Smith should have given us the lead when Sparky found him with a neat pass but he shot across goal and the chance was lost. Despite the two minutes of stoppage time, United couldn't unlock the home defence and Murray got away with a heavy tackle and we were wondering if Mister Courtney had no yellow cards with him. Halftime was reached with the teams locked at one apiece and we looked forward to the 2nd period with anticipation.

Andy Smith didn't come out for the 2nd half, no big loss, being replaced by Mackers and we looked like a potent force, though Kelbie still looked uninterested. Mike Smith and Sparky were linking up well down the right but it was hard to find the telling final pass. Locky found his way into the referee's notebook (he obviously found his cards at halftime), when Stuarty King (or should I say Pinocchio's brother) went down as if pole-axed, but as soon as the card was flashed he got up and ran away with a smirk on his face, which brought quite a few taunts from United fans. Soon after Glenavon's Murray, who by now should have been red carded, picked up a yellow for a late tackle, finally, but it was too little too late.

Mackers almost broke his scoring drought when he got on the end of a cross from Sparky, only to see home keeper Plummer, claw the ball away for a corner from his well directed header. Gary Muir's corner from the left was too long, but why oh why did we not have a man stationed on the edge of the box just for that eventuality, if I can see it why can't our management? Glenavon were reduced to breakaways and the big nosed cheater (Stuarty King), was being given acres of space by Sparky. We almost paid dearly for this benevolence when Stuarty cut inside and his cross was headed over the bar by Murray, a bad miss. This was almost Murray's last contribution as he was replaced by another former United player, the much travelled Rory 'the one ball wonder' Hamill. A list of Rory's clubs would be too much to mention as it's easier to say he hasn't played for two or three clubs in the present league, but there's still time.

Glenavon were reluctant to give him the ball as he has a bad habit of losing them and so he made little or no difference. United almost (which has become a byword for Roy Walker's management), broke the deadlock when their utility player, Sparky, went on a jinking run before hitting a crisp left-foot shot which cannoned off the cross bar with Plummer beaten all ends up. As the game drifted into injury time, Mike Smith, was scythed down during an attack, the referee waved play on as we had the advantage, but when play broke down he didn't book the culprit, yet another miscarriage of justice. Smith limped off in the 90th minute with George Young taking his place, when surely it should have been McConnell as we needed the win, but that's not Roy's style. The match petered out to a draw, yet another game where we had, 'almost', 'almost', took all three points, but in the end 'flattered only to deceive'.

I must end on a sad note here, with the news of the death of a lifelong Sky Blue fan, Bob McCann. Bob was a real United stalwart rarely missing a game home or away and some of his subtle quips were real gems. To say he didn't like Stuarty King when he played for Ballymena was to make a gross under-statement and his judgement proved to be perfectly correct as we found Stuarty to be deceitful and a typical money grabbing gather-up. To travel with Bob in his car was not for the faint hearted, but we all survived nonetheless and are much better people for having known him. If there is a heaven, I'm sure Bob McCann is in it and it'll be a much better place because he's there. Cheerio Bob, it was a pleasure knowing you, you were a true Sky Blue and a true friend to the end!

Nelson (6), Kit (5)(Sub: Locky 8,), Albert (5), Gazza (6), Archie (6), M. Smith (8)(Sub: Young 6), Sparky (8), Taggart (5) Muir (6), A. Smith (5)(Sub: Mackers (7), Kelbie (6)

Man of the match: Locky

Gone Fishing!

2010-04-25T22:43:00.003+01:00

In the movies the common excuse for not being at your job, especially in the summer, is that you've 'gone fishing'. I wonder if United manager Roy Walker has mentally hung out the 'gone fishing' sign at the Showgrounds as he continues to commit 'gaffe after gaffe', in his team selection and in his tactics. I think it's official now that only one team, Donegal Celtic, is being promoted this season, so no matter what happens only one team is in jeopardy of going down to the first division, luckily for us that team is Institute. Our best possible finishing position in the league this year looks like being 10th and depending on the results from Distillery and Newry in their last two games, one of which is against each other, anything less than a win at Glenavon in our last game could leave us finishing one from the bottom.

But why am I saying that Roy Walker hung up the 'gone fishing' sign you may ask? Well I'll tell you. Yesterday we started with 4 central defenders as our back four. Lee Colligan has disappeared off the radar for one reason or another, so we're short of a leftback (what the fcuk is our reserve team for I wonder), so Archie is played there. Now I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that Archie will never, yes I said never, be a leftback, not while Pussy is a cat. The position is so alien to him and I can see him floundering there every week. Then at rightback we have Kit Ramsay, playing there so as Mike Smith can take up a wide right position and like Archie, Kit Ramsay will never be a rightback. The best position for both these boys is central defence, yes they can fill in, in an emergency, but not every week.

There's also the effect this has on Mike and Lee when they're pushed into midfield as they have to keep a weather eye on their respective backs as they constantly need to cover for them. Roy in my opinion has lost the plot, but in an ironic twist, if we win on Saturday and the Whites beat Newry On Tuesday and both only take a point in their last game, we will finish in 8th, what a travesty of justice that would be. But I digress badly, the Tommy Wright circus rolled into town yesterday, mugged us and went merrily on their way and we stood by and watched. In a surprise move, the forgotten man Nathan McConnell got a rare start as Sparky was suspended, while Noel Anderson got a starting role also, but in a wide left position.

With just 7 minutes on the clock the United defence was breached when Kit failed to deal properly with an attempted clearance and the ball was passed to Brown who easily beat Nelson to score. Ten minutes later the United defence was caught napping again, but Browne's goal bound shot was cleared off the line by Archie, with Nelson stranded. United's cause wasn't helped by a yet another useless linesman who missed about half a dozen blatant offsides including one where a Whites player was 10 yards at least offside. United got a lifeline after 29 minutes when Smith found Anderson in the box and he found the back of the net. United managed to hold out until halftime but they were decidedly lucky, but as luck would have it they missed a glorious chance in stoppage time. Taggart, completely out of touch for most of the half, broke clear after a corner and with Kelbie sprinting down the wing in acres of space, he passed to a Whites defender. The referee blew his whistle for halftime and it was obvious something had to be done during the interval to change things for us.

Manager Walker did change things for the 2nd half, but I for one was flabbergasted as he took off our best midfielder, Aidy Watson and brought on Gary Muir. Why take off Watson I wondered and if he wasn't injured, I'm sure Aidy is wondering also. Noel Anderson moved into central midfield alongside Taggart who was a virtual passenger throughout. Then 8 minutes into the half Roy took off Anderson his goalscorer and brought on Mackers, with McConnell dropping back to right midfield, Smith to rightback, Kit to central defence and Gazza to central midfield. We did create a little more in the 2nd period and Albert had a header cleared off the line from a Muir corner. Manager Walker decided another change was necessary but this one was a complete mystery to me and confirmed my thought about the 'gone fishing' idea, taking off a striker, big Nathan and bringing on a green reserve player, Ross Nelson.

Surely keeping Nathan on the field and going with 3 up front would have been a more positive move, but then again that's not our style. Our forward's ineptness was summed up for me exactly when Mike Smith delivered a perfect free kick and they stood and watched as the Whites defence cleared the ball. Our day was in complete tatters when the Whites scythed through our defence and Browne found himself one-on-one with Nelson and he duly found the net. Mackers missed a glorious chance to claim a point for us when he failed to find the target from 10 yards when he shot wide of an open goal. This result and Newry's win at Glenavon knocked us into 10th position and leaves us in a rather precarious position, safe from relegation, but not from humiliation. This situation cannot be allowed to continue, surely our board has to act sooner rather than later, we are not progressing, we are going backwards, but I do hope there were no 'gambling' irregularities, mainly because I wasn't in on it!

D.Nelson (7), Kit (5), Archie (6), Albert (7), Gazza (6), M.Smith (7), Taggart (4), Aidy (7)(Sub: Muir 6,), Anderson (8)(Sub: Mackers 5,), Nathan (6)(Sub: R. Nelson 6,), Kelbie (5)

Man of the match: Noel Amderson

Thumbs Down!

2010-04-21T23:19:00.003+01:00

United's ever loyal travelling support gave the Irish league's much heralded 'split' the 'thumbs down' here last night as only 18 die-hards turned up for this meaningless, Carling B section fixture. All that was at stake for United was pride and we have precious little of that, as evidenced by our play last night. United manager Roy Walker says he's going to be ruthless in clearing the dead wood in his team out during the close season and on this showing last night he has a mammoth task before him. Only four players emerged from this fixture with any credit, our overworked back four of Mike Smith, Albert Watson, Kit Ramsay and Archie Stewart, the rest of the team were only there for the ride. United began with four changes to their starting line-up of last Saturday, Ramsay for Gazza, Muir for Locky, Kelbie for Andy Smith and reserve player Aaron Lennon for Colligan.

They got off to the worst possible start, going a goal behind after only 45 seconds. After their usual 'duff' kick-off, giving the ball tamely to the opposition, they paid a heavy price for their benevolence. The home side swept straight up the field and Davidson was allowed to shoot from 25 yards, a shot that Nelson could only parry. Admittedly it was a good shot but Dwayne should have pushed it round the post instead of trying to dive on it. As the ball ran loose Garret seized on it and laid it into the path of strike partner Paul Curran who had the simple task of shooting into the net as Nelson scrambled to get to his feet, while the United players stood and admired it or so it seemed to me.

United did create one clear-cut chance to get into the game when a rare decent corner from Muir (his corners and general play all night were at best inept), got into the box. As the ball was partially cleared young Lennon fired it back, but it was cleared off the line by an alert Newry defender. That was as good as it got for United and in fact they should've been two further goals behind as the home side missed two sitters. The first one saw Garret totally unmarked in front of goal, but somehow he managed to drag his shot wide and then Davidson hit a post when it looked easier to score. The Newry players were trying to con referee Burns all night as they went down under the slightest challenge, but were miraculously able to continue after treatment. United limped to halftime without conceding anything more and it was obvious that changes would have to be made if we were to glean anything from this game.

Alas we took to the field with the same eleven but 8 minutes into the half, Lennon was replaced by Noel Anderson. Before Noel got a chance to settle in United were reduced to 10 men, when Sparky was red-carded for an alleged late challenge on Newry Captain, Ferguson. I have to say I saw next to nothing but the Newry players started a mini riot and the upshot was that Sparky was dismissed. After lengthy treatment, Ferguson was able to walk off the pitch unaided, so draw your own conclusions. United probably played better with 10 men (in all honesty they couldn't have been much worse), but were indebted to Albert and Kit for keeping them in the match with some gritty defending.

Referee Burns demonstrated his biased refereeing when after Albert was caught by a late tackle he took no action against the culprit, not even a ticking off. United were reduced to humping the ball up field, but with no big target man, the home defence just soaked up the pressure. Manager Walker seemed devoid of ideas as he made no further substitutions, while Gary Muir frittered away possession every time he got the ball. United's unenviable record against the home side continued, four meetings this season and only one point to show for it. We fans are fed up with a team that doesn't produce the goods, something will need to be done soon, if not, they'll be many away days like this one!

Nelson (5), M. Smith (7), Archie (7), Albert (8), Kit (7), Muir (4), Aidy (5), Taggart (5), Lennon (5)(Sub: Anderson 6,), Sparky (6), Kelbie (5)

Man of the match: Albert Watson

Sore Points!

2010-04-18T21:51:00.003+01:00

On paper this looks like a comprehensive victory, but in truth this was a very poor Institute side and United could and should've won much more convincingly. Still if I'd been offered a 3-0 result before the start I'd have gladly taken it and then some. Neither of United's Scottish duo made the match due to the Volcanic ash saga, which meant only one change from last Saturday's starting line-up, Sparky for Kelbie. It didn't take Sparky long to celebrate his call up as he opened the scoring after only 9 minutes. It was a move started by United's player of the month, Aidy Watson, who found Mike smith on the overlap. The United rightback cut inside his marker and his driven cross was tucked away by the alert Sparky.

United suffered a setback moments later when Locky limped off with a recurring knee injury with Kit Ramsay replacing him, releasing Mike Smith into right midfield. The United goal had a lucky escape when former player Rory McClean broke through, controlled the ball beautifully, but with the goal at his mercy he drove his shot wide. With 30 minutes on the clock United virtually tied up the points when Ramsay and Mike Smith combined down the right wing and when the 'Stute keeper spilled Smith's shot Lee Colligan was on hand to tap in with his right foot.

United were content to soak up the pressure from the visitors and test them on the break, although their 3rd goal came from a defensive mistake, when a defender attempted to head back to his keeper, but the alert Andy Smith managed to prod the ball into the net for his 10 goal in a United shirt. That goal came on the stroke of halftime and left United and their fans to enjoy their halftime cuppa.

United Captain Gazza, was substituted at halftime, but whether this was tactical or due to injury I couldn't say. Mackers made a rare appearance in Gazza's place and this necessitated Kit moving to central defence and Mike Smith back to fullback and Andy Smith moving to right midfield.. The second half was typified by some over-elaborate play by United and some real heavy tackles from the visitors, which went unpunished by referee Crangle. This was in contrast to his booking of United's Aidy Watson for a mistimed tackle. Five minutes later Andy Smith was caught by a horrendous late tackle and had to leave the field to be substituted by David Cushley. Not only did Andy's tackler go unpunished, United didn't even get a foul.

Cushley had one or two mistimed tackles before he was booked, while the visitors continued to kick our players indiscriminately, without caution from the referee. Ten minutes from the end United were reduced to 10 men when Mike Smith was caught with yet another unpunished tackle and he left the field, while Albert Watson was pushed forward as he was obviously not at his best either. Just before the end the ambulance arrived to take Andy Smith to hospital with a suspected broken ankle and despite being down to 10 men United continued to fritter away the chances.

Their best effort was a Cushley shot which was laid off to him by Sparky, but the keeper did well to save the winger's shot. Despite some late pressure from the visitors United held out for a crucial if costly victory and the realisation that 2 points from their remaining 3 games would see them finish no worse than 9th or 10th place. A poor result after the high hopes at the start of the season, but safely in the premier league for another term. Of course this will not do, we have been in the doldrums too long, it's time for the tough to get going!

Nelson (8), M. Smith (8), Archie (7), Albert (7), Gazza (6) (Sub: Mackers 6,), Locky (6) (Sub: Kit 7,), Aidy (7), Taggart (6), Colligan (7), A. Smith (7) (Sub: Cushley 7,), Sparky (7)

Man of the match: Mike Smith

Gaffes Galore!

2010-04-11T09:19:00.004+01:00

Three major gaffes were responsibly for the 'mugging' of United in the Irish cup semi-final at the 'ludicrous' time of 5-30 pm on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Gaffe number one was in United's team selection. United's best back three players are Albert Watson, Mike Smith and Lee Colligan and for the fourth it's pick one from, Kit, Sparky, Gazza or Archie, but Roy in his wisdom chose to pick a back four of, Mike, Albert, Gazza and Archie, a disaster waiting to happen, leaving us very weak on our left flank. Our strongest central midfield pairing are Aiden Watson and Noel Anderson while the likes of Locky, Carsie and Taggart can also fit in there.

Our big midfield problem is in the wide positions and yesterday we had nobody in them. Admittedly Lee Colligan was playing in left-midfield, but Lee is only a leftback, he'll never be a left winger, not while pussy is a cat. Even worse we had nobody wide right at all and even worse or worser nobody on the bench to change that, no Cushley, no George Stewart. On a big pitch like Windsor wide players are a vital part of the equation. Up front we probably got it right with Kelbie and Andy Smith, but once more nobody on the bench to change things, with a choice between Paul McNeil and Sparky. Nathan McConnell seems to have disappeared off the scene completely as has Mackers, which left us with limited striking options.

Despite all these problems, we actually played quite well with nice flowing football although the Ports weren't allowing the game to flow as they tackled hard and often. United's Andy Smith was getting some rough treatment, but on several occasions referee McCourt ignored blatant fouls on the former Ports player. Andy also missed a couple of good opening for United when he twice broke into space on the right. The first time he pulled his cross behind Kelbie and on the second he pulled his cross-cum-shot across the face of goal. The Ports who had had to substitute McCutcheon after barely 15 minutes, missed a sitter when Gazza failed to deal with a through ball and Baker drove a shot wide. United didn't learn from this lapse and O'Hara got past Archie down the right wing and found Baker in space with Gazza leaden footed, but luckily his shot cannoned off the post to safety.

Gaffe number two came in the shape of referee Adrian McCourt, who after cautioning two Ports players for rough play, thereafter allowed them to literally 'kick' us off the park. He also disallowed what looked like a perfectly good goal for United but for what nobody knows. As if to add insult to injury he then allowed Ports forward Baker to foul United keeper Dwayne Nelson as he tried to catch a high ball and when the ball trickled into the net to the complete disbelief of the large contingent of United fans he allowed the goal to stand. Only 150 Portadown fans bothered to make the trip and they could hardly believe their luck. What an indictment the Ports fans showed for the ridiculous starting time and an indication of how fed up fans are with the glut of fixtures now being played.

Referee McCourt harshly cautioned Albert for a handball, but in the 2nd half allowed two opposition players to get away without a booking and in fact ignored one blatant handball completely. United were shell-shocked and it took a few minutes for them to settle after this setback. Halftime was reached with the Ports leading by this controversial goal, but surely Roy must change it I thought.

United returned to warm reception from their fans, who were magnificent throughout the game, but with no changes to their starting line-up. Some United fans were calling for Roy to make changes as United were losing midfield control. Referee McCourt demonstrated his ineptitude once more when Kelbie came in with a strong tackle on the halfway line and a scuffle ensued where Braniff was seen to punch Andy Smith, which somehow resulted in Andy getting a yellow card, but for what. Aiden Watson was kicked by a Ports player, but when he retaliated he got cautioned also, while one Ports player was cautioned.

Worse was to follow when Braniff late tackled Taggart, surely a booking but referee McCourt merely 'ticked' him off, a complete waste of time. United had just been about to make a double substitution but this was delayed as Taggart received treatment. Taggart was unable to continue and United replaced both him and Locky with Kit Ramsay and Anderson, with Ramsay slotting in to right back and Mike Smith being released to wide right. United deservedly got back on level terms when Andy Smith's shot came back to him and he rifled the rebound into the net from close range. United went looking for the winner but the Ports looked dangerous on the break and Nelson was relieved to see a Braniff shot clear his crossbar.

Kevin Kelbie, so often the hero became the villain when he missed a couple of chances and on at least one occasion Lee Colligan was available for a pass. With time slipping away United were trying to get the tie decided, but couldn't find the vital pass. At the start of extra time United manager Roy walker took off Gazza and brought on Sparky, who immediately moved up front which necessitated Ramsay moving to central defence, Mike Smith reverting to right back, a negative move and Andy Smith moving to the right wing, surely switching to a 3,4,3 formation would have been a better option.. United went all-out for it in the first period of added time and Ports keeper Miskelly kept his side in the game with a smart save from Anderson and another from Sparky. After a neat move down the right United should have done better than the weak Kelbie header into Miskelly's arms.

During the second period of added time United looked dead on their feet and the fans tried to lift them with their rapturous applause. United had one last chance right at the end of stoppage time, when Andy Smith released Kelbie, but United's top scorer failed to find the target and the dreaded penalty shoot-out was upon us. This game should have gone to a replay, but the I.F.A. ruled that due to the fixture congestion, both semi-finals would be decided on the day, a fixture congestion that was all the I.F.A.'s doing. I personally detest penalty shoot-outs, but no-one can come up with any other solution to resolve the deadlocked game, so we're stuck with penalties. But having said that we shouldn't have needed them as we had ample chances to make the game safe in normal and extra time.

It was then that the third gaffe came into play and I have no proof of this, just the 'body language' of the players, United didn't in my opinion have a plan for this situation and even though they got off to a great start with Dwayne saving the first kick, there seemed little conviction amongst the players. The first penalty taker was a complete surprise to me, Andy Smith, who had failed so miserable and so crucially on two occasions during the regular season against the Scum and the Glens. Keeper Miskelly got a hand to Andy's shot but it squirmed into the net, 1-0 to United. Nelson was well beaten to level the scores, then came surprise number two, Kit Ramsay was the man and his weak effort was easily saved by the Ports keeper. The Ports scored again to lead 2-1 and Kelbie levelled it at 2-2 with a brilliant kick.

The Ports scored with their next effort and Noel Anderson strode forward to level once more at 3-3. When the Ports 5th exponent scored it meant United were needing to score or they were out of the tie, so who would be entrusted with this vital role. I have to say of all the names going through my head, Archie wasn't one of them and his feeble effort was easily saved by the hero of the day, Ports keeper Miskelly. Archie was inconsolable and I must pay tribute to the United fans who stood and applauded the team off. The players had given their all, but at the end of the day they had been undone but three major gaffes and two of them were firmly of our own doing. The time came for our manager to do his job, but I'm afraid he failed miserably on this occasion and the seasons not over yet!

Nelson (7), M. Smith (7), Archie (6), Albert (7), Gazza (6)(Sub: Sparky 7), Locky (5)(Sub: Anderson 7), Taggart (6)(Sub: Kit 7), Aidy (8),Colligan (7), Kelbie (6), A. Smith (7)

Man of the match: Aiden Watson

Kamikazi United!

2010-04-06T23:41:00.003+01:00

United manager Roy Walker said in the local paper, after intimating he would make changes to his starting line-up, that he still thought tonight's result was important, obviously that message didn't get through to the players, as they seemed intent on giving the Coleraine scum some Easter presents. Walker did wield the axe making six changes to his staring eleven of last Saturday. Out went keeper Nelson, defender Archie, midfielders Taggart and Aid Watson and forward Kelbie and the versatile Sparky, while Noel Anderson was also rested from the panel. In came Oggers in goal, Gazza in defence, Locky and Carson to central midfield and a rare start for Cushley wide left. Mike Smith returned from injury to right midfield, allowing Muir to move upfront to partner Andy.

With only 11 minutes gone United committed their first major error, when Darren Boyce, looking suspiciously offside, burst down the left before pushing the ball past the 'lead-footed' Chris Ramsay. Oggers started to come for the ball, which he looked favourite for, hesitated and gave Boyce the easy task of slipping the ball past him to give the scum the lead. United seemed to have levelled the score when Muir found Andy Smith, but a late flag ruled the score out. What a contrast in the second period when the same linesman missed three glaring offsides by the scum, only one of which luckily resulted in a goal.

United fans didn't have long to wait for the next gaffe by their benevolent players and this time it was Jody Tolan who got on a rebound from a Patterson shot, while the United defence stood and watched. Gary Muir came within a whisker of reducing the deficit, when his shot from 30 yards thundered off the crossbar with the keeper stranded. The scum wasted two good chances to increase their lead, when firstly Patterson shot over when once more our defence fell asleep and then when the ball ricocheted about in defence, before being finally cleared. Then it was Locky, playing in his first United/scum derby game who committed the next major gaffe, getting caught in possession inside the centre circle he feebly allowed himself to be robbed and Patterson this time made no mistake when he thumped the ball past the hapless O'Neil to make the score 3-0.

Two minutes later United got a lifeline when the scum keeper failed to deal with a Muir corner, Locky was on hand to reduce the deficit. That goal came in the 38th minute and try as they might United couldn't get another foothold before halftime. They weren't helped in this regard by the continual time wasting tactics of the scum keeper, aided and abetted by referee Dessie Loughrey who failed to encourage him to get on with it. In fact the performance of Dessie and the linesman at that end was brought into focus when the scum keeper clearly punched the ball for a corner and they decided it was a goalkick, which brought the wrath of the home fans to the fore.

United got a dream start to the second half when they reduced the deficit even more in the 53rd minute. This goal was scored by Andy Smith, who despite ploughing a lone furrow upfront, did manage to keep going and he scored a fine goal from 25 yards with a crisp right-foot shot, with the keeper helpless. Manager Walker then did a strange thing to my way of thinking, he took off Cushley and brought on Paul McNeill. Admittedly the Cush wasn't at his best, but McNeil has had numerous chances and is still at best a bit part player and even though he's an 'out-and-out' striker, he hasn't got the match winning qualities of the Cush.

Of course maybe Roy was happy with a 3-2 scoreline, but I definitely wasn't and despite making two more substitutions, George Young for Locky and near the end Aaron Lennon for Carson, the closest we came to scoring was when Muir rattled a 25 yarder off the crossbar once more. The scum on the other hand had been (aided and abetted by the linesman at that end), bursting through from offside positions and it was a miracle that United hadn't shipped another 3 goals in the second half. Oggers also made a couple of good saves but even he was powerless when Patterson, two yards behind the last defender ran through before squaring to Boyce to make the score an undeserved 4-2 to the scum.

This defeat left a bad taste in the mouth, but then again when you're playing the stinking gas-men, you always get a bad taste in your mouth. But what was especially galling about this defeat, was that it could've and should've, been avoided. The first two goals conceded were the result of bad defending, which sometimes happens, but the third was the result of our one big failing this season, 'arsing' about. Hopefully they'll be none of that next Saturday, but I fear it's become such an integral part of our play that it can't be helped, but I fervently 'hope' I can be proved wrong, boy do I hope I'm proved wrong!

Oggers (6), Ramsay (6), Colligan (6), Alb. Watson (7), Gazza (6), M. Smith (6), Muir (6), Carson (6)(Sub: Lennon 6,), Locky (6)(Sub: Young 5,), Cushley (6)(Sub: McNeil 6,), A. Smith (7),

Man of the match: Andy Smith

Boring Draw!

2010-04-04T23:29:00.003+01:00

All I can say about yesterday's game, is summed up perfectly by the headline, it was a boring draw. It shouldn't have been a boring draw, we missed two sitters and had a stonewall penalty turned down, but in the end a draw was all we could manage. Things had started badly for us as the ever present Mike Smith got injured in the warm-up and his place was taken by Chris Ramsay, which was the only change from our last match 10 days ago. This meant top scorer Kevin Kelbie continued on the wing, a mis-selection if ever there was one. Eleven minutes into the game and the home team took the lead and I'm afraid this one was down to Dwayne Nelson, which was a pity as he had just made a wonder save with his foot.

The ball not for the first time this season wasn't cleared properly and when former United player Aaron Callaghan played it back in Nelson stood rooted to his goal line and Cooling had the simple task of side footing the ball into the net. This was simply the keepers ball, but he stayed on his line and we were punished as a result. Kelbie switched inside almost immediately as we now had to change tactics and go for an equaliser. This we managed after 25 minutes and it was the much maligned Gary Muir who got on the end of a Kelbie pass to level the scores.

Gavin Taggart had to come off almost immediately with Noel Anderson replacing him. United had probably their best spell in the game at this time and only referee Crangle knows why we didn't get a penalty when Sparky was cleaned as he attempted to chase a through ball. Albert Watson somehow managed to put a free header from a Muir corner over the bar, a chance gone begging. Shortly afterwards Kelbie broke clear and when it looked like the best option was to shoot he passed the ball to Andy Smith. Smith controlled the ball and then hit it straight at the near post with the whole of the goal gaping, a dreadful miss. United paid a heavy price for this lapse when against the run of play the hosts took a 2-1 lead.

There seemed little danger when Nelson threw the ball to Ramsay to carry it out of defence, but he allowed himself to be caught in possession. United did however manage to rectify the situation, but instead of hoofing the ball up-field, Albert passed to Ramsay once more and he repeated the process, but on this occasion the home team scored through McCann. This goal was down to what can best be described as 'arsing' about in defence, instead of doing the simple thing and clearing their lines and it's been an accident waiting to happen in our last half a dozen games, hopefully we have learned the lesson now.

Sparky didn't appear for the 2nd half and Cushley came on as a sub, which left us with two wingers. This gave us fans some hope, but it was false hope as we rarely attempted to play football, just kept launching the ball into their half and hoping to get something out of it. Kelbie drove a free kick straight to Matthews and as if not to be outdone, Cushley drove one against the defensive wall, while the so called ace free-taker Gary Muir, looked on. United did manage to claw a goal back midway through the half, when Kelbie burst down the wing before forcing Matthews into a top class save at the expense of a corner.

Gary Muir took the corner on the left with his right foot and Ramsay headed it back across goal where the alert Kelbie hooked the ball into the net. United did strive for the winner and Albert missed with another free header from a Muir corner. Noel Anderson was pressing forward at every opportunity and he set Muir up with a neat pass but when it looked like he must score, he failed to find the target. He almost atoned for this miss when he forced Matthews to save when he cut in from the left but no United forward could react in time and the home team managed to clear.

Nelson earned his keep in the 2nd half with two good stops when the United defence went asleep and not to be outdone the home team missed a sitter also. With 5 minutes remaining United suffered a blow when top scorer Kelbie went off with a recurrence of his shoulder injury. Paul McNeill came on in Kelbie's place and United will have an anxious wait to see if their talisman is available for the cup semi-final next Saturday. Despite referee Crangle finding 5 minutes of stoppage time, the game petered out to a tame draw, which in the end was a fair result. The biggest cheer of the day was reserved for the result of the Ports/Scum, game which means we're at home to the Scum on Tuesday night.

Nelson (7), Ramsay (5), Colligan (7), Alb Watson (7), Archie (6), Muir (7), Taggart (6)(Sub: Anderson 7), Aid Watson (7), Kelbie (7)(Sub: McNeill 6), A. Smith (6), Sparky (6)(Sub: Cushley 6)

Man of the match: Gary Muir

Sleep Over!

2010-03-26T22:38:00.002Z

Picture the scene, United had weathered the Crusader's storm at Seaview and then after two incisive passes from 'man-of- the- match' Aiden Watson, had taken a rather surprising 2-0 lead. Opposition manager Stephen Baxter, takes off a defender and brings on his top scorer Davy Rainey at the start of the 2nd half, while our manager does sweet F.A. in order to nullify this threat. The result of course is that the Crues crawl their way back into the match and snatch a point from the game. Surely Walker should've reacted by bringing on either (a) another defender or (b) another attacker, Roy of course, like Nero, fiddled and our three points were burned.

The United manager made two personnel changes to Saturday's team, out went Ramsay and team Captain Gazza, with Aiden Watson, getting Gazza's midfield berth and Sparky moving back to the striker's role. Colligan returned to leftback, Archie moved into central defence and top scorer Kevin Kelbie was shunted onto the left wing. Kevin is an 'out-and-out' striker, put him on the wing and he loses interest and why would you put your top scorer on the wing, it baffles me. Put him up front where he revels in scoring goals, if you need a left winger, you've got young Cushley kicking his heels in the reserves, use him instead.

United were subjected to some heavy pressure by the the home side, whose game plan on this disgraceful excuse for a pitch is a long ball from the keeper on every occasion. Despite this constant barrage for the first half hour, United kept their goal intact, although young Archie was clearly struggling against the flailing elbows of the home team's front men. The home team were also aided and abetted by a linesman who was rarely up with play and missed at least three blatant offsides. Referee Heatherington was in his 'nicey nicey' mood and instead of yellow cards for heavy tackles by the home team, it was a case of 'you're a naughty boy and you shouldn't do that', which of course meant the tackles got even worse.

United turned the game on it's head in a two minute period just before halftime, when Aiden Watson firstly set Andy Smith free with a defence splitting pass and Smickers rounded the keeper before slotting the ball into the net to put United one up. Two minutes later, in the 39th minute, Muir and Watson combined and Aidy then set up Taggart who chipped the keeper beautifully to make it 2-0 for the Sky Blues. United created at least two more chances before the break, but couldn't add to their tally. The inconsistency of linesmen then reared it's ugly head, when Kelbie sped up the wing only to be called back as Sparky was in an offside position, but taking no part in the play.

As I said earlier Baxter changed things round by discarding a defender and bringing on a striker, but our man merely dithered. The only reason I can find for this lapse from Walker, was that he was having a sleep over at Baxter's house and didn't want to annoy him too much in case he got no supper. The upshot was that the Crues barrage of the first half continued and in fact was far more penetrative and Archie was under sever pressure, but Walker was oblivious to it. Surely I thought Roy must react, we had at least two defenders cum midfielders on the bench,in Ramsay and Gazza, either or both of whom he could've thrown into fray at the expense of Taggart and or Watson, who were failing to get to grips with their counterparts.

Inevitably the goal had to come and when it did it was something special. Archie was adjudged to have fouled a Crues forward about 25 yards from goal and slightly to the right. United lined up their defensive wall and we could see there was a small gap at the left side. Home winger Donnelly found this gap with a beautiful bending free kick that left Nelson, who had looked unbeatable in the first half, well beaten and reduce the deficit to 2-1. Rip van Roy, finally acted or should I say over-reacted, taking off Archie and bringing on Gazza, which still left us a defender short. Gazza barely had time to get to the pace of the game when he failed to get a decisive header to a through ball and suddenly the game was all square at 2-2, when a Crues forward had the easy task of shooting past the unprotected Nelson.

Gary Muir wasted three opportunities in this half to put in telling crosses, but then again he seems to carry the ball too far rather than putting in the telling early cross which was his trademark at Distillery. He was the next man to be replaced with Ramsay taking his place and this at least looked like a sensible solution, bringing on a defender for a midfielder. Kelbie managed to bring a good save from the home keeper, but Sparky couldn't get to the rebound. Two minutes later the referee blew to halt play when United's Lee Colligan went down injured, but as he turned his back he failed to see the Crues number 5 flatten Kelbie into the railings. Kelbie had to come off with young Lennon taking his place and as if to add insult to injury the Crues failed to give the ball back to us, kicking it into touch instead.

There still was time for Sparky to be hauled down by the same number 5, which brought a yellow card from the referee, too little too late. United forced a couple of corners and played some nice football around the home team's penalty box, but without top scorer Kelbie, they couldn't find the vital breakthrough. Yet once more we had snatched a draw from the jaws of victory, but in my opinion our manager must take some of the blame for this lapse as he failed to read the game and made the wrong substitution and in my opinion, made it too late. There's an old saying from somewhere, 'too late, too late, will be the cry', Roy could do worse than take that into account!

Nelson (7), M.Smith (7), Colligan (7), Archie (5)(Sub: Gazza 6), Alb Watson (7), Muir (5)(Sub: Ramsay 6), Taggart (7), Aid Watson (8), Kelbie (6)(Sub: Lennon 6), A. Smith (7), Sparky (6)

Man of the match: Aidy Watson

Wasted Journey!

2010-03-20T22:28:00.003Z

For the two hundred odd United fans who made the journey to Windsor Park today, it was a wasted effort, as our team never turned up. No they didn't miss the bus or anything mundane like that, they were there alright, but they showed no interest in taking part in a game of football. Our manager's penchant for playing men out of position is now costing us dearly. If he hasn't realised it by now, Archie is a central defender, in an emergency he can play at left-back, but it's not a natural position for him. Likewise Lee Colligan, yes he can play left midfield in an emergency, but his best position is left-back. For 70 minutes today we struggled with these two players out of position and even though that didn't directly lead to our defeat, it was part of the problem.

Then we have the 'famous' or is it infamous, Gary Muir, playing wide right, who twice 'chickened' out of 60/40 balls in his favour and when he is eventually substituted, he's replaced by Sparky who goes straight into a striking role, which necessitates Andy Smith dropping into a wide right role. I wonder if Roy was confused by the Linfield squad numbers which the announcer read out in no particular formation? Or is the rumour true, that he just doesn't have a clue and depends on divine intervention from above to help him make his decisions, I tell you it's becoming harder to 'only believe'.

Albert Watson returned to the team to partner Chris Ramsay in central defence, with Mike Smith, who can play either wide midfield or fullback, reverting to rightback. Sparky was relegated to the bench,along with Noel Anderson and Aiden Watson, so Gazza moved into central midfield with Taggart. To say we were diabolical was to make a gross understatement. We couldn't pass, kept 'messing up' free kicks and generally seemed to have a 'couldn't care less' attitude. Nobody typified this more than Gary Muir in right midfield, but in an ironic twist of fate he almost delivered a killer blow just before halftime. Having won a corner on the right he delivered a perfect dead-ball into the penalty box where Gazza of all people directed a header wide, when it looked easier to score.

The rest of the first half was fairly non-de-script, Taggart picked up the booking which should leave him eligible for the cup game, but on this showing that doesn't look like a bonus. Linfield defender Winky Armstrong was lucky to stay on the field when after picking up a caution for a heavy challenge, he then kicked out at Andy Smith, but the man who 'hears words that are never spoken', referee Trevor Moutray turned his back on the incident. Nelson was forced into a smart save by the home team's best player, Paul Munster, but all in all it was pretty poor stuff.

The halftime highlight was a United fan winning the Carling dribble, at least that's what I call it, well at least he showed the players how it should be done. The home team stepped up the pressure after halftime and United were unable to clear their lines although Taggart had a chance to set up a counter-attack, but instead gave the ball away and due to some slip-shod defending the ball fell to Phil Lowry on the edge of the box and he drilled it into the net to give the home team the lead. Surely we thought the manager must act, take off Muir and Taggart, bringing on Cushley and Locky to see if we can salvage something.

Of course he surprised us by taking off Muir and bringing on Sparky, who is basically a central defender, who can play up front in an emergency, now where did I hear that before? This made little or no difference to our offensive capabilities and in fact left us even more disjointed that we had been before. We still had the struggling Taggart in midfield and two players playing out of position on the left side. With 20 minutes remaining Roy took Archie off and brought on the Cush, but after 5 minutes switched him to the right side, instead of leaving him in his natural left side position. Cushley did manage to force former United keeper Alan Blayney into a save but it was really a fairly innocuous effort.

In a last throw of the dice Locky replaced Taggart, but it was far too late to make any difference to the outcome of the game. United did win a couple of free kicks about 30 yards from goal, but our prowess in that department is sadly lacking and so it proved today. United's Lee Colligan escaped without a booking when he deliberately blocked a Linfield forward just inside the penalty area. To the utter surprise of almost everyone in the ground the referee gave the home side a free kick on the edge of the box. But then what else is new, Moutray never did care for a true representation of the facts, if in doubt, make it up, appears to be his attitude! The match petered out with a measly two minutes of added time despite the blatant time-wasting tactics of the home side, but if they had played all night we still couldn't have scored anyway.

Nelson (7), M. Smith (7), Archie (5)(Sub: Cushley 6,), Alb. Watson (7), Ramsay (5), Muir (5)(Sub: Sparky 6,), Taggart (5)(Sub: Locky 6,), Gazza (6), Colligan (5), A. Smith (6), Kelbie (6)

Man of the match: Dwayne Nelson

Red Lead!

2010-03-14T13:53:00.003Z

If any United fans were undecided about attending the Irish cup semi-final on Saturday April 10, there was nothing on offer yesterday at the Showgrounds which would give any hope of advancement. United were truly pathetic, slipshod in defence, overran in midfield and punchless up front. Manger Roy Walker made two changes to his starting line-up, with Gary Muir, replacing Colligan, who hasn't missed a game all season and Noel Anderson in for Gavin Taggart. Only one United player seemed remotely interested in the game, Aiden Watson. But alas he was powerless to prevent Clark giving Portadown the lead after 4 minutes. The United defence failed to clear their lines and Clarke was allowed time to pick his spot from 20 yards, leaving United keeper Dwayne Nelson well beaten.

When you fall behind the only thing you can do is score yourself and United equalised 5 minutes later, when Mike Smith got his head to a Ramsay cross and nodded the ball into the net. The United fans rose to acclaim this score only to have their cheers choked in their throats as the linesman flagged for an offside. Admittedly it was at the far end of the ground, but it looked to me that Smith was at best level with Ramsay who crossed the ball. But I must believe that the linesman made the correct decision, although later in the game he signalled for a goal to the visitors, when in fact the ball went wide. The remainder of the half was fairly devoid of incident although the visitors came close to adding to their score when O'Hara dragged a shot wide. The other talking point was a harsh booking for Aiden Watson for an innocuous tackle on Clark.

Watson failed to appear for the second period, with Lee Colligan taking his place which necessitated Muir moving to the right wing and Mike Smith moving inside to partner Anderson. United still appeared to be disinterested and none more so than Andy Smith, while new signing Muir has gone completely off the boil. Midway through the half United brought on Cushley and Mackers, taking off Sparky and Anderson, but despite stepping up the pace they couldn't make the vital breakthrough. Andy Smith did manage to force a save from Ports keeper Miskelly and the Cush fired in a vicious shot which the keeper spilled but no United player could reach in time. Mackers missed with a free header and at the other end Baker somehow missed an open goal from 8 yards, although as I said earlier the linesman at that end actually signalled for a goal.

Seven minutes from the end Ports defender Redman scythed down Andy Smith and referee Heatherington immediately flashed the red card. Despite their numerical advantage United couldn't find the telling pass and the visitors held out for a 1-0 win. On this showing United will struggle to overcome the Ports in the semi-final as they were minus at least 3 top players and still were rarely troubled, but as the old saying goes, tomorrow is another day!

Nelson (6), Ramsay (5), Archie (5), Sparky (6) (Sub: Cushley, 7), Gazza (6), M. Smith (7), Aid Watson (7) (Sub: Colligan 7,), Anderson (6) (Sub: Mackers 6,), Muir (5), A. Smith (5), Kelbie (6)

Man of the match: Mike Smith

Defensive Errors!

2010-03-06T23:44:00.003Z

United manager Roy Walker selected 6 defenders in his starting line-up and rather ironically it was defensive errors which meant United having to settle for a draw, which necessitates a replay next Tuesday night at the Showgrounds. When I was handed the team sheet along with my programme (what a good idea, Bill Wray please take note), I thought here's a really negative approach and so it looked for long periods in the first half. But when we raced into a 3-1 lead with 15 minutes remaining I was feeling fairly optimistic, but of course it was after all, false hope, as we shot ourselves in the foot once more.

United began the game in an all-out attacking mode, forcing 3 corners in quick succession and home keeper Andy Plummer made two top class saves to deny United an early lead. Firstly he managed to parry a shot from Gazza, when the ball fell to him from our first corner and then two minutes later when it looked like a Kelbie header was beating him he managed to push it over the bar. Kelbie and strike partner Andy Smith were giving the home defence a hard time at this stage but as so often happens in football games it was the home team who got the first goal and what a controversial incident it was. Glenavon forward Grant dribbled into the box, Ramsay went to tackle him, withdrew his foot, Grant took a 'dive' and Ramsay looked on in consternation as referee Malcolm gave a penalty. Up stepped Molly Molloy, to blast home the penalty and put his team one up.

United were shell-shocked and were almost two down soon after when they allowed Grant a free header from a Molly cross, but luckily it flashed over the bar. Glenavon won a free kick when Barry Johnston went swallow diving as well but Molly's free kick cleared the crossbar. With halftime approaching United were given a lifeline when Glenavon defender McGee handled the ball when under pressure from Kelbie. the home side complained that Kelbie had pushed the defender, but Malcolm stuck to his guns and awarded the spot-kick, cautioning the home player in the process. Up stepped United's top scorer to blast the ball past the helpless Plummer to tie the scores up at halftime.

The home side came out for the second half in determined mood, but the United defence held firm. The United midfield, which had struggled a wee bit in the first half, began to assert itself in the 2nd period and gaps began to appear in the home team's defence. Nine minutes into the half United took a deserved lead when after Andy Smith had laid the ball back to him, young Mike Smith hit a screamer from 30 yards with his left-foot into the top right corner of the net, with Plummer grasping at thin air. This was no more than United deserved at this stage, as they were the better side and Kelbie almost snatched another soon afterwards when he latched onto an Andy Smith pass, but his right-foot shot eluded both the keeper and the goal.

United fans didn't have long to wait though for a third goal and that man Mike Smith was heavily involved again. Aiden Watson, so dominant in midfield, began the move with a delightful through ball to Mikey and he cut inside before squaring to Andy at the near post, who coolly drove it past Plummer to make the score 3-1. There's an old saying in football that you're at your most vulnerable just after the game should be safe and so it proved today. The home side swept forward and won a corner on their left. When the cross came in United keeper Dwayne Nelson appeared to be impeded as he came for the ball, which was then played to the unmarked Molly and he blasted the ball into the net. Referee Malcolm dismissed United's protests and awarded the goal.

Manager Walker took off Taggart and brought on Anderson, when surely an attack minded player like Cushley would have been the better option, I thought. As a result United began to defend deeper and deeper and surrendered midfield to the home team. With 5 minutes remaining the home side levelled things up when Ramsay allowed Costello to turn and run to the edge of the box before rifling a shot past the unsighted Nelson. This was a harsh lesson for the Sky Blues, coasting at 3-1 they took their foot off the pedal and now face a tricky replay on Tuesday night. Unfortunately due to other plans made a few months ago, Sky Blue Sport wont be at this game, so we'll just have to wish United all the luck in the world, although in all fairness, it should've been completely unnecessary!

Nelson (7), Ramsay (6), Archie (6), Sparky (7), Gazza (7), M.Smith (8), Aid Watson (8), Taggart (7)(Sub: Anderson 7,), Colligan (7), A.Smith (7), Kelbie(8)

Man of the match: Mike Smith

Missed Chances!

2010-02-27T23:44:00.003Z

This was a game of missed chances for both teams, both had enough chances to wrap up the points, but failed miserably when it came to taking them. United's recent signing Gary Muir, a man with a reputation for scoring goals was the first culprit. A back-pass was played to the visiting keeper, who completely scuffed his clearance and it fell at Muir's feet. Muir somehow known only to him contrived to miss an open goal, it was definitely harder to miss it than to score it, but miss it he did. Despite being called up for the under-21s Chris Ramsay started in defence, alongside Archie, with Gazza slipping into midfield with Aiden Watson, Muir and Andy Smith, that left Kelbie and Sparky up front. United's team selection had earlier been thrown into confusion when Noel Anderson was sick after reporting to the ground.

United seemed unable to string more than two passes together and it was no surprise when the visitors came more into the game. Referee Creaney committed a major gaffe, failing to award Newry a penalty after Archie 'cleaned' Stephen Garret. The foul was a good yard inside the penalty box,but referee Creaney gave a free-kick on the edge. United failed to learn from this near-miss and had another let-off when Garret somehow missed the target from six yards, when it looked easier to score than miss. Coleman of Newry was unlucky to see his shot beat Nelson, but bounce clear off the post and then Nelson made a good save just before halftime.

The second half was no better than the first and we were left wondering if either manager had anything in reserve to change things round. With 25 minutes left Walker took off Aiden Watson and Sparky, replacing them with Mackers and the Cush. Surely the 'Cush' could get us going I thought but even he seemed to be in a quiet mood. United did manage to force a couple of corners, but couldn't apply the finishing touches inside the box. Gary Muir burst clear of the Newry defence but pulled the ball back behind Mackers. The two Smiths combined well down the right and when the cross came in, Gary Muir, with a free header failed to trouble the keeper. This was practically Muir's last action as he was replaced by young Lee McCaughen.

At the other end United were indebted to goalie Dwayne Nelson for a couple of good saves when the Newry substitute showed our defence a clean pair of heels. Cushley, who generally shoots from fifty yards wasn't his old self at all and when he found himself near the edge of the box, he tried to find Kelbie with a delicate pass, when a shot looked the better option. Mackers passed up the chance of testing the keeper also when he passed after bursting into the box and Kelbie also fired over the bar when he appeared to have plenty of time to pick his spot. During stoppage time the Cush cut inside but his well struck shot failed to trouble the keeper and the game ended in a draw. A point apiece was all either team deserved, for this was a really boring game. I just hope United had one eye on next week's cup game at Glenavon as I couldn't stick another game like this one.

Nelson (7), M.Smith (6), Colligan (5), Ramsay (5), Archie (6), Aid Watson (5)(Sub: Cushley 6,), A, Smith (5), Gazza (6), Muir (4)(Sub: McCaughen 6,), Sparky (6)(Sub: (Mackers 5,), Kelbie (5)

Man of the match: Dwayne Nelson

Last Gasp!

2010-02-16T23:57:00.003Z

There's an old saying that goes 'he who laughs last, laughs longest'. Former United player Stuarty King was 'laughing' when his club, Glenavon, scored a late goal at the Showgrounds, only for it to be correctly ruled out for offside. Then in the 2nd minute of added time United won a penalty when visiting keeper Plummer, whipped the legs from United's Gary Muir and up stepped 'King Kelbie' to fire home the resultant penalty, his 13th goal of the season and he laughed his head off. It also sent the United fans into raptures and why not, for despite their team creating several chances it had looked likely that they'd have to settle for a draw, but justice was done in the end.

United manager Roy Walker had continuing with his Kelbie/Sparky strike partnership, put Andy Smith on the left wing, Gary Muir on the right, a centre-midfield of Locky and Taggart with Mike Smith reverting to right-back and Captain Gary Haveron, slotting in alongside Albert at centre-back. United began brightly and Gary Muir found himself with a clear shot at goal after just 2 minutes but he ballooned his shot over the bar. United won a corner after a few minutes and Gazza's header was cleared off the line with Plummer beaten. In a rare Glenavon attack Colligan went in a bit late on visiting forward Molloy, but made no contact, but Molloy screamed like a young girl, a despicable attempt to have another player cautioned, luckily referee Burns didn't fall for the ruse.

Midway through the half United won another corner and Albert's free header was just headed clear at the last minute. The visitors had a wee spell of pressure and Molloy tried to con the referee once more by squealing like a 'stuck pig', maybe that's how they teach them where he's from. He then demonstrated his 'Jekyll 'n Hyde character by cutting inside Colligan, before smacking a left-foot shot off the crossbar. The remainder of the half was mainly devoid of goalmouth incident, but United did play themselves into trouble on a couple of occasions by their causal play in their own half. Molloy messed up when he waltzed through the United defence, only to stop and lift the ball claiming he heard a whistle, I think it was the echo of his earlier screams, as nobody else heard it.

The 2nd half was a dour midfield struggle and even though the visitors looked dangerous they only created one worthwhile chance. This was when Costello found himself with some space about 20 yards from goal but his fierce shot was saved by Nelson. Nelson also plucked a couple of corners out of the air and for once the United defence looked fairly solid. Muir and Smith switched wings and Locky made a great run down the right flank but couldn't stop the ball from going out of play. Opposing manager Marty Quinn took first Carvill off and bringing on King and then Costello with the veteran Tony Grant replacing him. Manager Walker responded by taking Locky off with Anderson taking his place. a case of like for like.

United won a free kick about 30 yards from goal and Muir managed to get his shot on target, but no United player reacted quickly enough to Plummer's parry. With time ticking away Walker took off Sparky and brought on Jimmy McLaughlin,(Mackers) and he got involved from the start. In the best move of the match United came close to finding the vital goal. Muir had switched back to the right, with Smith moving up to partner Mackers and Kelbie on the left. Smith found Muir with a sweet ball and winger cut inside before crossing to Kelbie at the back post. Kelbie headed it to Anderson but unfortunately Noel's shot was straight at Plummer and the chance was lost.

With full time approaching we had the disallowed goal for the visitors and then in added time the drama really started to unfold. United swept down the left wing and Kelbie got on the end of a pass from Mackers before driving the ball across the six-yard box close to the goal-line. Gary Muir looked like scoring only to have his legs 'whipped' from him by Plummer and the referee pointed to the spot. When the furore had died down at least one other visiting player was cautioned along with their goalkeeper. Up stepped 'King Kelbie' to fire the ball high into the net and send the Sky Blue faithful home happy. It was one of those games that could've gone anyway, but for once this season, thankfully, it went ours!

Nelson (8), M. Smith (7), Colligan (7), Albert (8), Gazza (8), Muir (7), Taggart (7), Locky (7)(Sub: Anderson 7,), A. Smith (7), Sparky (7)(Sub: Mackers 7,), Kelbie (7)

Man of the match: Albert Watson