Welcome Home!

It's a big Sky Blue welcome to a few former players and our former manager, when we entertain Lisburn Distillery tomorrow. Gavin Melaugh, Aaron Callaghan and Rory Hamill are the players most likely to figure, although former striker Davitt Walsh is also on the Whites books. Whites manager Tommy Wright can expect a 'warm' welcome from the fans he left in the 'lurch' when he walked out on United 18 months ago, but hopefully we won't be distracted from our main purpose, cheering United on to another 3 points.
United manager Roy Walker has intimated that he'll start with the same team as he had in mind for last Saturday's postponed fixture at the aptly named 'Marshes'. Just what that starting line-up is, we haven't a clue, so we'll assume the team to be on the usual lines, with Andy Smith still missing through suspension.
United will require strikers Kevin Kelbie and Nathan McConnell to step up to the mark tomorrow in what is a must win situation, if United are intent on gaining a top six position in the Carling Premier league. With an increased number of fans in for the corporate dinner an improved performance might encourage some neutrals to make a return visit over the coming weeks and that would be beneficial for the club coffers. There's been no definite news on a new date for the postponed Newry game, but if as expected it takes place next Saturday, the Sky Blue Sports team will alas be missing, as we're off on a winter jaunt to sunnier climes. So let's get away on a positive note, so come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Skeagh boys!

Down Raiding!

United continue their quest for league points tomorrow, with a trip to the southern extremity of County Down, Newry. They must do so without Andy Smith, who's serving a suspension, while Albert Watson, who notched up his 250th appearance for the club last week, is doubtful with yet another facial injury. If Albert fails to make it, then Mark Surgenor could return after being subbed early in the first half of last weeks game or maybe manager Walker has some other plan in mind. What ever the United manager has in his thoughts, it must be coming extremely apparent to him that United are in dire need of a win to get back on track. In their last three league games they've thrown away 5 points and that is no exaggeration, so the time to stand up and be counted has arrived. With that in mind maybe the manager will go on an all-out attack, but somehow we doubt it. If victory is to be achieved the United fans must play their part, as their presence and support can make all the difference. So come on Sky Blues, let's shag those so called 'stars', of the County Down!

Stand-up Time!

We've reached that crucial part of the season, where we're beautifully poised between progressing and digressing. Our next three games are games that on paper we should be capable of taking maximum points from, but can we do it. Institute are our opponents for the third time in four games in this early kick-off game, 12-30 pm and by now both teams must be sick of the sight of one another. United need to try and get things back on an even keel tomorrow, having lost the previous two games by a 2-1 scoreline (4-2 on aggregate). Striker Kevin Kelbie, who should've at least gone home with the match ball on Tuesday past, as he missed two free headers and a penalty, will probably get the nod again for tomorrows game. Just who partners him is anybody's guess, on form it should be Nathan McConnell, harshly substituted on Tuesday night, but Roy Walker may prefer out of form striker, Andy Smith. Barring injuries we would expect the rest of the team to be the same as that which started Tuesday's game, but maybe the manager will have other ideas. He could do worse than recall Archie and try and develop a partnership between him and Albert Watson as the United defence continue to leak goals. We're not saying this is the answer, we're just saying something must be done about it. Hopefully we've come up with a penalty kick-taker as that's three we've missed this season already. Maybe the in form Mike Smith should get the job as he appears to be cool under pressure, epitomised by his scoring in the last four consecutive games. What ever is decided and whoever gets selected, they'll have to stand-up and be counted, so come on Sky Blues, let's rock these stroke city orphans!

Storming Archie !

With his star rising, United centre-back Archie Stewart is the key man as United entertain Institute, in tomorrow nights 2nd leg C.I.S. cup match, kick-off 19-45. Former United striker Paul Brown 'muscled' young Archie in the first leg at Drumaho, but the United defender bounced back with a near faultless performance at Mourneview Park on Saturday. Not only was he was resolute in defence, he scored the first goal and began the move that led to the second one. More of the same will be required tomorrow night as United attempt to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg. Once more we have no idea of team selection or tactics, but feel that if Kelbie is brought over, then surely he must start in place of the 'out of form' Andy Smith. In our last two games, Andy has been a virtual passenger and his attempt at a shot when clean through on Saturday was pretty pathetic to put it mildly. If Kelbie is not available the manager could do worse than push Mike Smith into a forward role, as he showed on Saturday that he has the tenacity to play in that position. If Roy was feeling adventurous he could start with wee Geordie on the right and give Aiden Watson a return at rightback. Aiden's combative style has been missing for far too long and he has the ability to link play along the right flank. The rest of the team almost picks itself, Dwayne Nelson, despite his late gaffe at Lurgan which gifted the home team a lucky draw, will we think retain the keepers jersey. While the back three of Archie, Chris Ramsay and the ever present Lee Colligan are automatic choices. In the engine room Anderson, Lockhart and Cushley have midfield locked down tightly. The only real question is who will partner Nathan McConnell up front and it is the crucial decision. If we get it right we have the ability to win the tie by 2 clear goals, if not we'll be having a free day on the first Saturday in December. That's how crucial the selection is for tomorrow night, Roy Walker has been quoted as saying that he wants to win everything that's possible, tomorrow night he has the chance to prove it. So come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Stroke City dudes!

Pressure Points!

United return to the quest for league points with their first and possibly only visit, depending on league standings, to Mourneview Park Lurgan (or is it Craigavon, we'll be damned if we know). Mourneview over the years has usually been quite a happy hunting ground for United, but our old adversary Marty 'the mighty' Quinn will no doubt have other ideas. Hopefully former United player Stuarty King will be fit as if it's a bit wet we can use his nose as a makeshift shelter. Now that's the only dig we're going to have at Stuarty, let's just hope he doesn't make us eat our words. United must do without the services of Gavin Taggart who's serving a one match ban. Manager Roy Walker must decide on what two strikers to use as Kevin Kelbie is fit once more and we can only afford to carry two men upfront, so it's a toss-up between Andy and Nathan as Kevin's partner. Cushley is fully fit once more and will be expected to return in left midfield, depending on the formation which our manager feels is the best one on the day. We at 'Sport would never try to second guess the 'wily' Walker, but would hazard a guess that he'll select his three top scorers tomorrow, Cushley, McConnell and Kelbie, leaving Andy and Ormo, who filled in for the Cush last week, on the bench. If it's a flat back four Archie may get a rest and we'd expect Surgenor to partner Ramsay in that instance, which would then leave a berth for possibly Carson in right midfield or if it's all out attack, wee Geordie. Whatever team is selected they had better be up for it, because it's not going to be easy, but in saying that, the points are there to be won and it's time for us to get back to winning ways. So come on Sky Blues, let's shag (not literally we hasten to add), those mourneviewers!