Six Pointer!

United take on Glenavon at Mourneview Park tomorrow with a potential six points at stake. The Sky Blues ensconced in 5th place in the Premier league standings are currently 3 points ahead of tomorrow's opponents and with a game in hand and a win would stretch the gap between us to six points with a game in hand, giving us a wee bit of breathing space. Of course winning will not be easy as the Lurgan Blues are one of the most formidable teams in our league, although they will be missing former United talisman, Stuarty King, who had the misfortune to break a bone in his ankle on Monday past. No doubt Marty Quinn will have a suitable replacement for the injured Stuarty, while the rest of his forwards could walk into almost any team in the league, excepting ourselves of course.

United's own front line of Murray, Gibbo, Cutch and Mikey will have to shoulder the burden up front and they are the men to do just that. Cutch with ten goals to his name already this season will be a constant thorn in the flesh for the home defence, especially as he's had an enforced 2 week rest. He will be ably backed up by the human cannonball, Gibbo, the silken skilled Murray and the penetrating runner, Mikey. This is why we believe we can take all three points tomorrow, it won't be easy, but we have the ability to do it. Of course Donegal Celtic proved today that no-one has the right to win every game, but we still think we can do it. In our last game against Glenavon we looked like a beaten team until a certain Albert Watson, (see below), came to our rescue, which just goes to prove we are an all round slick moving machine.

With the United forward line almost picking itself, manager Walker will also have five top performers to pick from in defence, Albert (goal of the month winner in November, see above), Archie, Denver, Sparky and Lee, with Gazza there should any emergencies arise. Midfield should be Gazza and either Taggart or Berry, or has Rory made a miraculous comeback, who knows? Our only problem position, which has lingered since 'Goosey' and Tommy, 'he's never right', fell out, is who to put in nets. Manager Walker thought he had solved the problem when he brought in Ryan Brown from Larne at the start of the season, but he has had one or two expensive gaffes and it meant a recall for Dwayne in our last game and tomorrow's game could hinge, not only on who gets the nod, but on how they perform under pressure. But we still believe and we need the United fans to believe, so come on United, lets go shag those Mourneviewers

Golden Chance!

United go into tomorrow night's rearranged C.I.S. cup quarter-final with a golden chance to progress to the semi-final stage. All any team can ever hope for in a knock-out game is home advantage and we have that tomorrow night. Of course given our poor home form, it's not a great advantage, but as tomorrow night's game is the first of 3 crucial games all at home this month, United need to start as they mean to carry on and hopefully we can finish the year in top form. United will be minus Nathan Hanly who completes his suspension with this game, while Sparky is a doubt after coming off injured in the victory over Dungannon Swifts.

That hard fought victory over the Swift's could leave United manager Roy Walker with a bit of a puzzle as to his starting line-up. Does he start with Gibbo and Cutch, up front, leaving Andy Smith on the bench or give Smith another go, with the option to bring Gibbo on. If Sparky is passed fit, might he continue with the back four of, Sparky, Albert, Archie and Lee, knowing he has Denver as back-up and Gazza for emergencies. With Murray and Mikey automatic selections, the big choice is about who partners Gazza in central midfield. Despite his 'rash' tackle, which gifted Dungannon a penalty on Saturday, Gavin could get the nod ahead of Ryan, who is a good man to have on the bench. This will probably be another close game, as the previous 3 have been and it will be vital that we keep our defence intact against the Crues.

According to the United official website, Alan Black will referee tomorrow night's game and that will put added pressure on United, as he rarely sees thing our way, but as the saying goes, 'there's a first time for everything', but we won't hold our breath. The discipline of our players leaves a lot to be desired and maybe we should remember the character from the kids programme Rainbow and keep it 'zipped'and not allow Mr Black to have his way. As our wee striker Cutch has plundered 10 goals so far, he will no doubt be out to add to that tally tomorrow night and with a wee slice of luck we could be into the semi-final in this the final year of sponsorship by the Co-op. It's all there to play for, if we have the courage and the skill to reach out and grab it, so come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Tiger Bay pussycats!

Rusty May!

The ´Sports team will be boycotting tomorrows fixture away to Dungannon Swifts, as United have yet to receive an apology for the complete fabrication and downright lies levelled against our supporters for alleged racial abuse of former Swifts keeper Alvin Rouse. It´s been well documented that referee Trevor Moutray only admitted to hearing ´something´, but under pressure from some Dungannon officials he falsified a report accusing United fans of racial abuse. If the vast majority of United fans are willing to carry on with this stigma hanging over them, we at ´Sport are not. As for team news for tomorrow´s game, we just don´t have a clue as we are all abroad at present in warmer climes. We know for sure That Nathan Hanly will definitely not be playing as he serves a 2 match suspension for alleged serious foul play.

Remember what he did or should we say what he didn´t do, he didn´t go in with a late tackle after the ball had gone, he didn´t punch anybody, nor did he break anybody´s leg, he just made an honest tackle to win the ball, but when his opponent went down crying ´like a baby´, an unsighted referee, Steven Weatherall (remember this game was played in semi-darkness), judged it to be serious foul play. United fans were also falsely accused of abusing the injured player, which they didn´t, but in the light of what has happened, they would have been entirely justified. Two referees have levelled false accusations at us now and we have to assume it will contnue as they are after all of the one ilk. The bad news for Nathan is that when he returns for the the league game against the Glens on Christmas Saturday, the referee will be our good friend Alan Black, as they say it never rains but it pours. Okay we´ve had our rant, so come on Sky Blues, let´s shag those Tyronians!