Party's Over!

After the draw with Lisburn Distillery last Saturday, a fourth place finish in the league was looking remote and then after Tuesday's surrender at Larne, even a sixth place finish is now in doubt. That means that in tomorrow night's rearranged game a Limavady, kick-off 8pm, a win is vital for the Sky Blues. Craig McClean and Simon Kelly are available after their one game bans, but what the rest of the team might be is anyone's guess. Surely the time has come for the United manager to root out the 'dead wood', players who under-perform, week in and week out, or is he happy with the situation? United's fans demonstrated last Saturday that they have 100% commitment to the cause, it's just a pity that the players don't feel the same. We are in a hole at the moment and the only way out is for our players to start playing as if their lives depended on it and for many of them their future at the club is none too certain. We at 'Sport still believe that with a professional approach, we can still at worst consolidate 6th place, but as the old saying goes, 'the buck stops here'! So come on United, let's show all your loyal fans what you can do, in short, let's shag those Roesiders!

Lamb Shank!

How many missiles were thrown in the boisterous fracas at the Showgrounds on Saturday? We counted three, a folding chair, a lamb shank (wrapped in cellophane for hygiene's sake, well we don't know where them Distillery boys have been) and 'allegedly', a £2 coin. There was also the odd punch thrown, but a 'riot' it was not, in fact there was many a worse scrap at the 'hop' in the old Peoples Club on any Saturday night in the 'good old days' (the sixties). All the papers say the trouble only started in the last few minutes of the game, we at 'Sport disagree, it all began as far as we are concerned when referee Mark Courtenay cautioned Whites goalkeeper Phillip Matthews for a professional foul on United's Mark Ward, instead of the 'mandatory' red card, five minutes before halftime. But enough about Saturday lets concentrate on tomorrow's game against the 'Harbour Rats' at Inver Park. With Craig McClean and Simon Kelly serving automatic one game bans, it means a recall for Larne man Gary Haveron and Cullybackey man Nigel Boyd. Boydie will be making his 380th appearance for the Sky Blues tomorrow and we at 'Sport are delighted to see him back in the first team. The rest of the United team should be the starting line-up from Saturday, which means an immediate return for United hero Paul Murphy, who has recovered from having Darren Armour stamp on his hand and (born again Christian) Nathan McConnell's vicious elbow, to take his place between the posts. The man who filled in for him last Saturday during the prolonged stoppage time, Kevin Kelbie, makes his 100th appearance for the club and will no doubt be looking to score his 51st goal in the process. Kevin has averaged a goal every two games during his time at the Showgrounds and with a bit more support there's no reason why he can't get even better. Three points tomorrow are vital, we would hate for it to be us who put a nail in the Larne 'coffin', but we must set those thoughts aside and take all three points. Its not going to be easy, but with the right attitude (or should that be the 'Wright' attitude), there's no reason why we can't prevail. So come on Sky Blues, lets shank (sorry), lets shag, those Harbour Rats!

Wicked Side!

The time has come for United to show their 'wicked side' in tomorrow's crunch match against Lisburn Distillery. United have the men to do it on their side, if only our manager Tommy Wright has the courage to use them. Our WKD are our three strikers, Wardy, Kevin and Davitt and we at 'Sport believe if our manager has the courage to play them all in his starting line-up tomorrow, then victory will be ours. For a start it's the last thing Whites manager Paul Kirk will expect and that may be enough to tip the balance in our favour. Team captain Albert Watson should return after suspension to partner Simon Kelly in central defence, which in turn will release Gary Haveron to reclaim his left midfield role. With Wray and McClean holding down the fullback slots, the United manager just has to decide who gets the nod in central midfield. This comes down to a case of any two from three, with Melaugh, Scates and Aiden Watson being the contestants. This starting line-up would mean no place for last week's unlikely hero Stuarty King, but its a matter of 'horses for courses' as the United manager tries to out guess his opposite number, Paul Kirk. Stuarty King and other United fringe players will no doubt figure in United's other two games in this 6 day period, away to Larne on Easter Monday and at Limavady next Friday night. First though we need 3 points tomorrow, let's be 'Easter Risers' and not 'Easter Bunnies', so come on United, let's shag those lambeggars!

Tough Task!

As we trail Lisburn Distillery by 12 points, it looks like 4th place is beyond us and in fact with Newry winning tonight we now find ourselves in a 5 team fight to hold onto 6th place. Losing to Dungannon Swifts in our last game proved quite costly and we can ill afford any more slip-ups. Tomorrow's game is a potential banana skin, with Armagh City fighting for their existence in the new Premier league set-up. United go into the game minus captain Albert Watson, who must sit this one out due to a one game suspension. The good news is that new signing Mark Ward is available for selection and surely it's high time the United manager gave his three strikers, Kelby, Walsh & Ward, a chance to show what they can do and what better game to do it in than tomorrow's game against the 'apple pickers'. Never let it be said that Sky Blue Sport tried to influence a United manager, but surely Stuarty King is long overdue a rest and who better to take his place than the 'most exciting 17 year-old in Ireland', David Cushley. Cushley's skill and enthusiasm are just what United need to drive them on for the remainder of the season. Three points tomorrow is vital and that will set us up for the Easter egg encounter with Lisburn Distillery next Saturday, so come on Sky Blues, let's shag those apple pickers!

Stock Taking!

Tomorrow seems like as good a time as any for United fans to pass judgement on the managerial success of Tommy Wright. United have a less than enviable record at Limavady, so if they can somehow conjure an away win, would that be an indication that big Tam is the right man for the Shogrounds job? With the 4th spot in the Setanta cup now going to either the "Scum" or Donegal Celtic, United must finish no lower than 3rd in the league. With that in mind a win tomorrow is vital and in fact a winning run from now until the end of the season is the least we need. Gary Haveron looks set to get a recall in the absence of Captain Albert Watson, who must serve an automatic suspension. Will the manager be bold enough to introduce youngsters Stephen Lowry and Daviv Cushley or will he stick with the "old guard" that has put us in our present prediciament. Surely the time has come for big Tam to take drastic measures, go with youth, we have after all nothing to lose and almost everything to gain!