White Knight!

United manager Spike Ferguson, returns to his former 'hunting ground' tomorrow, when the Sky Blues take on Lisburn Distillery in the Irish cup at Ballyskeagh. This will be Spike's second game in charge of the 'high' team and the supporters will be anxious to know whether a first win is on the cards. It promises to be a tough encounter, the whites will fight tooth and nail to get a result on their home turf, but United must be equally determined to put one over on them. Will Spike give an instant debut to on-loan Johnny Taylor is one the questions we don't have the answer to. Another is the who fills in for the suspended Sparky, the recipient of another 2 game ban, which means he'll miss United's next two games as well as tomorrow's.

With Rory Carson having found a bit of form, that means it should be a choice of Gavin Taggart or Conor Downey, neither of whom gets the blood pumping. But of course Spike and the two baldies may have other ideas and promote young players such as Owen Gillan or Jamie Davidson. Or they could surprise us and select Elvis and go for a 4,4,2 formation instead of the more negative 4,5,1. Distillery's striker Gary Ligget will need close watching and after his success last Saturday against Rory Patterson, Archie looks to be the man for the job, leaving Taylor or Cookie to cut out the supply. Ross Black, not given a chance under Roy Walker, made a good impression last week and should retain his place as Vauls serves a ban for 5 cautions and misses this match.

We at 'Sport are still not sure about Tony Kane and his back-up Curtis Woods has failed to impress us also, but in the continuing absence of Sparky, we have nothing else, unless someone comes available before the end of transfer deadline which is looming. Jordan Baker and Ally Teggert are two players who have not performed to their usual standards and tomorrow would be a good time to start 'cutting the mustard' so to speak. Both suffered injury recently, but that's no excuse for their lack lustre performances of late. The goal machine, as Davy King calls him, Cutch hasn't scored for three matches and we all hope he was saving it for tomorrow, for he is the jewel in our crown. The fans are up for the cup, the manager and the two baldies are up for it, let's hope the team are up for it. Come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Lisburn lambs!