Home Comforts!

United go into their penultimate match before the split with a home game against league leaders Crues. Not only are they league leaders, but the they have plundered 77 goals and United have let in 68 goals, so a scoreless game doesn't look likely. The Sky Blues will no doubt be hoping for a positive result in this is our last home game before Easter and the last game before our Irish cup semi-final, against Portadown. Judging by our managers pre-match comments, it doesn't look likely, he'll play a weakened team and he has emphasised the need to get a result from this game.

It's not known whether Cutch, who transferred to Ballymena from the Crues, is eligible as he is the latest United player to be bound by a Gentleman's agreement, between him and the Crues manager, Stephen 'Mr Ugly' Baxter. So he is a signed United player, but he might as well be on loan, if this proves to be the case. Definitely missing from the Sky Blues line-up, will be Thommo, JT and Cush as they are all serving suspension, but they should be available for the the semi-final next week.

In the absence of JT, who will Spike select alongside Paddy Mac at the centre of our defence. Does he take a chance on Cookie, who struggled along with all our other players at Stangmore, last Friday night or does he, as he has done in the past, ask his Captain Jenks, to drop back into defence? We at 'Sport are of the opinion that Jenks will be needed to bolster the midfield, with Thommo and Cush  not available and Maca cup-tied next week.

He could maybe take a chance and play the versatile Sparky at the centre of defence, but we think he will not want to take a chance with the Crues forwards in prolific form. Paul Heatley, ex-Carrick Rangers, needs no introduction to United fans, as he took a 'dive' to win a penalty as United were cruelly dumped out the league cup semi-final a couple of  seasons ago. We'll need a strong ref to combat Heatley's diving tomorrow, but our luck is out for the ref appointed, is none other than Tim 'nice but dim' Marshall.

So it'll be a hard game, but one we have got to be up for and its a last chance to get a decent gate, as it is a Corporate dinner, we'll be lucky if the Crues bring 150, in fact 150 would be a good crowd for them. There is a collection on behalf Huntingdon disease, which is a degenerative disease, affecting people in all walks of life, so please do give generously to this worthy cause. Lets hope the Sky Blues are up for this one, so come on Sky Blues, lets shag those paper tigers!