Golden Days!

Golden days before the end, whisper secrets to the wind, so goes the famous Roy Orbison song and later he sings, 'it's over, it's over, it's over'. That my friends is music to our ears and sums up precisely how we feel about our last game, a trip to Clandeboye Park tomorrow, to face Bangor, we can hardly wait. Team news is a bit iffy to say the least, Albert Watson is a bit doubtful after being involved in a traffic accident. Rumour has it he was running up Sandy Row and collided with David 'the fat controller' Jeffrey, we're sure there must have been carnage everywhere after that collision. On a more serious note young keeper Sean O'Neill is suffering from a neck injury, courtesy of Glenavon striker Tony Grant and Alan Blayney is standing by for a farewell performance. Hopefully Alan won't be the only United player saying goodbye to the old Showgrounds as a lot of 'dead wood' needs to be shifted before next season. Mike Ward, Neal Teggart and Kevin Kelbie, 2 of whom look likely to play tomorrow, could all find themselves moving on. Therefore there's no great incentive for them to show any enthusiasm up front tomorrow, except that is for their own pride and satisfaction and a win would be a nice way to end this dismal season. No matter what happens, or who turns out tomorrow, the Sky Blue faithful will turn out in force tomorrow as usual. So for the last time this season, come on Sky Blues, let's shag those seasiders!

Penultimate Boredom!

Just one match to go, what a relief, we at 'Sport can't wait for this season to be over and confined to the history books. United once again have not looked like picking up that elusive trophy, okay they did win the Harry Cavan youth cup, but in reality this season has been yet another disaster. Can next season be any worse, we wonder, but we suppose the answer is if we don't shore up our leaky defence, yes it could. United manager Roy Walker has pinned his hopes on reserve keeper Sean O'Neill for next season and the local boy gets an early chance to impress as regular custodian Alan Blayney has got a back injury. With Paul Muir still rated as doubtful, it will be interesting to see who the manager opts for in central defence tomorrow, after transfer listing both Albert Watson and former Glenavon player, Gavin McDonnell. Either of these two men could be drafted in as Muir's replacement, but we wonder just how much either of them are committed to the cause. Midfield is also in need of a shake-up and transfer listed Gavin Melaugh, could also come into the reckoning after his second half display at Dungannon last Saturday. We have struggled to score goals this season, a matter which needs to be sorted in the close season, while for tomorrow's game surely we must start with Kelbie and Teggart. Twenty-one goals between them isn't much, but it's way ahead of their nearest rivals. All we can think of to encourage people to turn up tomorrow, is, it's a nice ground and we usually do well there, as a matter of fact this is where our revival started this season. We realise it's highly unlikely that lady luck will be in our camp tomorrow, as in the corresponding fixture Glenavon's Trevor Molloy got himself sent off and we took advantage of the situation with our extra man. Nevertheless it must be said, for the last but one time, come on United, let's shag those Mourneviewers!

Swift Reply!

United manager Roy Walker, quite rightly in our opinion, gave his players a real dressing down after their inept display against Newry City on Tuesday past. The players have the perfect chance to give their manager, not to mention their disgruntled fans, a clear message tomorrow, when they visit Stangmore Park to take on the bottom club in the league and ironically the club which has taken a maximum 9 points off them in the three previous league meetings this season. In fact new ground will have to be broken if United are to somehow conjure up a win on the tight Stangmore Park playing surface, as it is quite some time since they won at that venue. On the minus side, Paul Muir looks set to be missing tomorrow and flu victim Tommy Wray as well, while on the plus side, striker Kevin Kelbie and David Cushley are both available for selection, while Gary Haveron could play from the start. No matter what line-up manager Roy Walker decides on, surely United fans can expect nothing less than complete commitment from the Sky Blues. So come on United, let's shag those apple pickers!

Kelbie Doubt!

United stand-in Captain, Kevin Kelbie, may have to sit out tomorrow's game at home to Newry City with a calf injury. With David Cushley serving an automatic one game ban courtesy of two yellow cards last Saturday, manager Walker may require two additional players to supplement Saturday's winning line-up. Three points would put United safely away from any threatened play-off, so they need to field their strongest available starting eleven. Tommy Wray has recovered from his bout of flu and may be added to the panel as well, although Roy's policy usually means a game in the reserves when coming back from injury. Kelbie, if fit, will no doubt retain his starting role, but the manager could include Paul McNeill from the start after some good touches when coming on as a sub in last Saturday's game. Gary Haveron may well get a start in Cushley's place, while Nathan McConnell may be the preferred option if Kelbie's a non-starter. No matter who gets the nod, they will know they are involved in a game, as the boy's from the border City are fighting to avoid a relegation play-off if one is deemed necessary. So come on Sky Blues, let's shag those south downers!

Another Season!

After our two week break it's just like starting out on a new season and like a new season an old favourite could be returning tomorrow. We refer of course to United Captain Gary Haveron, who hasn't played since breaking his leg in an away game at Bangor on December 13. Talk about 13 being unlucky for some, it was certainly unlucky for the popular Larne man on that day and how United have missed his never 'say die' attitude since then. Gary is unlikely to start, but we expect him to get a run-out sat some stage of the game, hopefully with United in control, but you never know. Tomorrow's game isn't vital for either team as the real drama takes place at the Newry Showgrounds where the home team, take on bottom club Dungannon Swifts and a victory for Newry and a draw between 'Stute and United would not be a disaster, but a victory for the Sky Blues would make their own safety almost certain. Nothing will probably be decided tomorrow and the 'big' game could well be when United travel to Dungannon next Saturday. But first to tomorrow's game and United have only one injury doubt, Tommy Wray, who is suffering from a bout of flu. United could well revert to a flat back four with a midfield of Picking, Aid Watson, Melaugh and either Cushley or McClean. while Neal Teggart, who hasn't scored this year will probably continue up front with Kelbie. Reserve keeper Sean O'Neill had a good game in last Friday's friendly (0-0), against Portadown at Shamrock Park, but will it be enough to give him a starting role against the North west boys tomorrow? Only United manager Roy Walker can tell and he remains tight lipped. So it's all systems go for tomorrow's game, so come on Sky Blues, let's shag those bogsiders!

Blayne Game!

United manager Roy Walker has a big decision to make regarding his selection for tomorrow's home game against reigning champions Linfield. The worst kept secret in the Irish league is out, regular goalkeeper Alan Blayney has signed a pre-contract with the league champions and that left the United manager with little option but to withdrew his offer of an extended contract this week. Having just given back up custodian Sean O'Neill a two year professional contract, 'Sport are wondering if the United manager will give him the starting role against the Belfast blues. Walker of course is the man to make the 'big' decisions as he showed in United's first meeting with Linfield, when he promoted the untried Lee Colligan to the vacant leftback slot, a position he has made exclusively his own since that day. If he selects the young O'Neill he can expect a warm welcome from the Sky Blue faithful and a hostile welcome from the visiting forwards. With that rare 'diving bird', the 'Kearney', in the Linfield line-up, United must hope for a strong referee (does such a thing exist), as Kearney has extreme trouble keeping his footing, diving Love child. United's Kevin Kelbie will have another chance to exploit Linfield's creaking defender Winkie Murphy, while surely any of United's back-up strikers will have too much class for the one-paced Stephen 'you couldn't score in Ahoghill' Douglas. It'll be a tough match for the sky Blues as the visitors will use every trick in the book to try and upset them, but if we play as a team, we at 'Sport believe that truth will prevail. We haven't you'll notice mentioned the 'fat controller', he is after all beneath contempt and that as far as we are concerned sums him up precisely. So come on United, let the Sky Blue win through, let's shag those townies!

Black Marauders!

Look out you scum, the Black Marauders are coming down to blast your unbeaten run to smithereens. Usually we're the Sky Blues, but tomorrow we'll be the boys in black and we're going to kick some Coleraine ass. The only player definitely missing from United's line-up is Mike Ward, which might mean a place on the bench for Davitt Walsh. Nathan McConnell, who let's face it hasn't set the world on fire so far, will probably continue up front with team Captain Kevin Kelbie, with United's preference for a 5 man midfield, Mark Picking will probably have to wait in the wings (pardon our pun), against one of his former teams. With Lee Colligan and 'player of the month' Paul Muir facing late fitness tests United may be forced into a couple of late changes, otherwise the team will almost pick itself. United keeper Alan Blayney has been offered a new contract therefore the 'ball' is in his court and manager Roy Walker expects an imminent answer or he'll need to find a back-up for young Sean O'Neill. The 'Scum' are missing three players including their top man, Stephen Carson, due to suspension, so there's no reason why United can't record a second successive victory over the 'stinking gas-men'. Let's hope for a good crowd, a good atmosphere and the right outcome, a United victory. So come on you All Blacks, let's shag, that Coleraine Scum!

Aiden's Ton!

If selected tomorrow and we can find no reason to believe he won't be, Aiden Watson should make his 100th appearance in a Sky Blue shirt. Aiden's 'no nonsense' style of play has meant him picking up lots of injuries and suspensions during his tenure and he's took longer than most to reach the 100 milestone. The one thing lacking in his game has been goals, only 3 so far in a United jersey, that's only one every 33 games, but there's always tomorrow. United will give late fitness tests to three players, the two Gavin's, Melaugh and McDonnell and striker Wardy. We at 'Sport don't expect United manager Roy Walker to 'tinker' too much with his selection and even if all the players are passed fit, we expect the same line-up as that which took on Bangor last Friday night to get the nod. This would be a bit harsh on the fit again Mark Picking but we expect United to stick with the 3,5,3 formation, which means Picking only getting a place on the bench. United Captain Gary Haveron has had his plaster removed and may be pushing for a starting place in the next couple of weeks, what a boost that would be for the final round of matches. Stand-in Captain Kevin Kelbie needs to find his scoring touch which has deserted him lately and hopefully strike up a prolific partnership with new striker Nathan McConnell. McConnell comes up against a former team for the second game in a row and hopefully he won't rise 'to the bait' as he did last week when provoked by former team-mate Darren Lockhart. Referee Davey Malcolm's handling of the altercation between the two former mates left a lot to be desired and was probably instrumental in manager Roy Walker's decision to withdraw McConnell at halftime. Three vital points are at stake tomorrow, a win would be a great boost going into the final phase of games, a draw wouldn't be a complete disaster, but a defeat would be bloody hard to swallow. So come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Mourneviewers!

Bang On!

United entertain Bangor tomorrow night kick-off 19-45 and the catchword for manager Roy Walker (or whoever's filling in for him while he completes his suspension) should be 'bang on', as that is what United must do in our four remaining matches. The fact that three of these games are at home should be an advantage for us, but the opposite is in fact the case. If however we are to progress up the table and clear of the relegation zone, we need to start winning our home games and tomorrow night would be the perfect time. Bangor have virtually nothing to play for as they are certain to be relegated as they are not applying for a Premier league licence next season, but they will still want to give a good account of themselves and are quite capable of taking all three points tomorrow night. United will need to have their 'A' game if they are to triumph and for that reason we expect Albert Watson to come back into the team, therefore allowing us to go back to the three man defence. Gavin Melaugh should also return and United will need all his guile if they are to get back on the goal trail once more. Melaugh's midfield partners will be a case of perm any two from the three of Aiden Watson, Tommy Wray and the enigmatic David Cushley. On last weeks showing striker Colin Magill could get a starting berth alongside Kevin Kelbie, who after a prolific December, has only found the net twice this year. The rest of the team will automatically pick itself, As Messers,Smith, Colligan, McDonald and Muir are stonewall bankers for selection. It's crunch time tomorrow night, we wouldn't say the next two games are a matter of 'life and death' as they're much, much, more serious than that. So Come On United, let's shag those Seasiders!

Return Call!

After last weeks feeble capitulation at home, United have a great chance to turn things round when they make a 'return call' away to the hatchet men at Seaview tomorrow. United will make at least three changes to their starting line-up of last week as the cup-tied Michael Smith returns and new signing Nathan McConnell makes his debut. Also missing from the United line-up will be the suspended Albert Watson and we expect Tommy Wray to take over from Albert, paving the way for either David Cushley in midfield or our preferred option of either Ward or Walsh alongside Kelbie and McConnell in a 3,4,3 formation. This would of course be an attacking formation, but at least it would be a positive move, unlike last weeks inept selection. The tight Seaview pitch has rarely been a 'happy hunting ground' for United, but a victory tomorrow would be a wee cushion as we enter the final games before the 'split' in five games time. With no fresh injury worries, United manager Roy walker must choose his weapons carefully if we are to glean a result from tomorrow's game. So come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Shore Roaders!