Sky Blue Sport News

Monday, August 31, 2009

Another Glen!

After United's superb victory over Glentoran last Wednesday night, they take on yet another Glen [Glenavon], tomorrow night at the Showgrounds, kick-off 19-45. United manager Roy Walker, returns from a short break to America in time for tomorrow night's game and we at 'Sport are wondering if he'll say same again and leave goalkeeper Sean O'Neill and Aiden Watson, both free from suspension, on the bench. O'Neill will no doubt be in the Norn Iron under-21 team this Friday night and the United manager may be loath to risk him, while the four players occupying the midfield roles last Wednesday were top notch and it's hard to see Aiden winning back his place, though he is our 2nd top scorer with 2 goals to his credit. One thing's certain, what ever team is selected will need to show the same commitment and tenacity as they did against the league champions in their last game or they won't get anything from this game. United's old adversary Marty Quinn, will have the 'Lurgan men' all fired up for this encounter and we expect a 'no holds barred' 90 minutes. United's former talisman, Stuarty King may well figure in Marty's line-up and if so can expect a 'warm Showgrounds welcome as the returning villain. The stage is set for a 'humdinger' of a game, so let's get behind the Sky Blues and cheer them to victory, so come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Mourneviewers!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Deep Shit!

United find themselves in deep shit for tomorrow night's meeting with reigning champions Glentoran. With goalie Seamus O'Neill and Aiden Watson, serving automatic one game bans, United must go deep into their back-up staff. Dwayne Nelson should've been an automatic choice in goals, but the former Dungannon Swifts man is out injured and as a result United have signed Crusaders back-up keeper Aaron Kerr on a short term deal (allegedly one month). Glen Taggart or Ormo may get a swift return call after both missing out last Saturday. The hosts will be both unveiling their new floodlights and their new signing, Norn Iron hero, Keith Gillespie. United look like being 'lambs to the slaughter', but there were some encouraging signs despite their defeat to the 'hatchet' men on Saturday past, a game they finished with only 9 men. Their record at the Oval is not good, but they have managed to win there 3 times in the last 2 seasons, so despite treating the hosts with a modicum of respect, United may be able to get something to kick-start their season. So come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Ballymacarrot boys!

Friday, August 21, 2009

Crisis Call!

When the going gets tough the tough get going, so the old adage says and believe you us, the going is getting tough for the Sky Blues. Consider the facts: United's Captain and the mainstay of our team Gary Haveron has broken his leg once more (best wishes from all at Sky Blue Sport for a speedy recovery Gary, you are the greatest)and will be out for at least 5 months, Paul Muir has a damaged knee and will miss at least 3 more weeks and United have two tough games coming up, at home to the 'Hatchet' men tomorrow and away to league champions Glentoran on Wednesday night. United have only two recognised central defenders fighting fit, Mark Surgenor and Archie Stewart. But wait there is another central defender, Prince Albert (Watson), we all know Albert has had some sort of a dispute with the club but surely given the situation the Sandy Row man would be willing to put his shoulder to the plough and help his one and only club in their time of need. If Albert gets the nod the United manager will have to decide who to leave out, Surgenor or Stewart, we at 'Sport believe it'll be Surgenor. The rest of the team should surely be, fullbacks Smith and Colligan, in midfield, George Stewart, Carson, Aid Watson, Ormo or Lockhart if fit, with Kelbie and Andy Smith upfront. Kelbie we are reliably informed will take our penalties from now on. All we need now is a firm, but especially 'fair' ref tomorrow and hopefully we can get our first points of the new season, so come on Sky Blues, lets shag those tame tigers!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Tight Lines!

After the ease by which our defence was undone in our last 2 games, it's time for the United defence to tighten things up. We would be best advised to adopt a more defensive attitude and the way to achieve this is revert to a 3,5,2, formation, adding Albert Watson to play alongside Haveron and Savage given the continued absence of Paul Muir. If Darren Lockhart is not considered fit, then we have to go with a midfield 5, of, M.Smith, Aid Watson, Phillip Carson, Gavin Taggart and Lee Colligan. The strikers should be Andy Smith and Kelby, which will mean no start for Ormo, but sacrifices must be made. It would be too easy to blame Ormo for Saturday's defeat, but he was involved in the build up to the two goals conceded and must shoulder some of the blame. On a happier note our congrats must go to the Reserve team who progressed to the next round of the Steele & Sons cup, by beating Intermediate king pins Dundela, 4-2. Maybe some of their success will rub off on the first team as they visit that slum known as Coleraine Showgrounds. So Come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Bannsiders!

Friday, August 14, 2009

Point Pickers!

According to 'Omar' in ancient times, fifties, sixties etc, there was very little pop music on TV (the rest of the team think he's having a laugh), and on a Sunday afternoon on the radio was a top twenty show (we kid you not), where a guy called Alan Freeman, said the immortal words, 'welcome pop pickers everywhere'. Now this was in days of yore, when men were men and women were glad of it. United could do worse than make this their quest at away matches, but instead of picking 'pops', we need to pick up points. We couldn't have picked a worse place to begin, a trip to Stangmore Park, where our record is nothing short of abysmal. We haven't a clue about the likely make-up of the Sky Blues team for tomorrow's game, but if we were to hazard a guess we don't think it would vary much from the starting line-up in our County Antrim Shield team which faced the Welders last Tuesday. There is a doubt as to the availability of midfielder Phillip Carson and defender Paul Muir, both of whom had to be substituted on Tuesday past. So if they fail to make it, there could be a starting role for Aiden Watson, so unlucky to miss out last weekend. So come on Sky Blues, let's shag, those Oxford Islanders!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Quick Retort!

Ballymena United manager Roy Walker has been handed a quick chance to get back to winning ways in tomorrow night's County Antrim Shield game at home to the 'Welders', kick-off, 19-30hrs. No doubt the 'bible thumping' Walker will see this as a glorious chance to allay any fears of a repeat start to 'this' season and so say all of us. For that reason we at 'Sport expect the United manager to field a 'strong' team tomorrow night, although an enforced change means a debut for former player Dwayne Nelson in nets, due to Sean O'Neill's call up to Norn Iron 21's. We won't be greatly surprised if Mark Surgenor gets a call to arms at central defence either, where United looked decidedly shaky On Saturday. Team captain Gary Haveron will possibly move into wide midfield, as Darren Lockhart looks rather doubtful, while the manager must decide whether it'll be Noel Anderson or Gavin Teggart who partners Phillip Carson in centre midfield, while upfront Nathan McConnell looks set to continue alongside Andy Smith. As for the rest, it'll be a big surprise, if Michael Smith, Lee Colligan and Paul Muir don't get the nod in defence, while Ormo may have to fight off David Cushley for the wide right berth. All in all, nothing short of an emphatic victory will do in tomorrow night's game which is played to a finish. United should surely have too much fire-power for the opposition, but remember it's not unknown for 'lightening' to strike twice and we don't want that now do we? So come on Sky Blues, let's shag those weldies!

Friday, August 07, 2009

News Update!

Sky Blue Sport veteran, Sammy Patterson, is hoping to bring a new column to Sky Blue Sport, namely a review of the grounds of United's opponents, unsurprisingly called 'away view'. Facilities will be rated on a scale of 1-10. where 9&10 are excellent, 7&8 are good, 5&6 are fair, 3&4 are poor and 1&2 are unfit for human habitation. Grounds will be judged on (1) car parking, (2)ease of access, (3)spectating facilities (4) toilets and (5) playing surface. So look out for Sammy's first report after United travel to Dungannon Swifts on Saturday the 15th August, which will be closely followed by a visit to the home of the 'scum'. so remember to log on to skybluesport.com for all the latest news!

Serious Soccer!

The friendly games are over and hopefully United manager Roy Walker has ironed out any kinks in the United 'engine' room which has undergone a massive overhaul. With new signings Noel Anderson, Phillip Carson, Gavin Teggart and the exciting 'Ormo' in a brand new midfield, aided and abetted by that old 'workhorse' Darren Lockhart, vying for the four midfield places hopefully a new era looms for the Sky Blues. Lockhart looks set to sit out tomorrow's game while up front livewire new striker Andy Smith should partner Nathan McConnell who plays against one of his former clubs. United talisman, Kevin 'the king' Kelbie, must sit out United's first three games through suspension, but will be available for selection when United travel to that slum clearance site, Coleraine Showgrounds, on Tuesday 18th August. The United back four almost picks itself, Michael Smith, Lee Colligan and Paul Muir should be joined by Mister Sky Blue himself, team captain Gary Haveron. United goalkeeper Sean O'Neill embarks on what we hope will be a successful and illustrious career as the last line of defence, good luck from the 'Sport team Sean. United are bidding to win their first game of the season for the first time since 2001 when they were triumphant at Taylors Avenue against Carrick Rangers with a 2-1 win. A similar result tomorrow would do very nicely, but we feel sure Eddie Patterson and hic Chickenville team will have other ideas. So for the first time this season, come on Sky Blues, let's shag those 'headless chickens'!