Cup Magic!

It’s fast approaching to that ‘magic time’, the Irish cup, when we mortals can dream about a day out in Belfast in early May. Eighteen years have elapsed since Ballymena last made that journey and came home with the Irish cup, but I still remember it vividly. If you asked me now if we can repeat it this year I’d have to say no, definitely not after last Saturday’s collapse at Mourneview Park. But then again all you have to do is win five games and we’ve proved already this season that we’re capable of beating the best the league has to offer. After last Saturday’s demise I honestly believe that a high league finish is beyond our capabilities, so maybe we should go all out in the cup and just ensure our survival in the league for another season. Someone once said (reiterated by every Tom, Dick and Harry since), that all you can hope for in the cup is a home draw. We didn’t actually get a home draw, but because our opponents, Harland & Wolfe Welders F.C.’s ground is not up to the required standard, the match has been switched to the Showgrounds. This should be a massive boost to United, but after last Saturday I imagine there will be a few butterflies floating about, not only in the dressing room, but out in the home stand as well. Hope though does spring eternal and I’m sure the United players will want to bury last weeks result in the best possible fashion, with a convincing win. We know they have the ability, but we’ve all got to play our part as well by getting behind the team from the outset. It would be so easy to be pessimistic about the outcome of the game, but I believe we must remain positive about possibly the most important match of the season so far. The ‘Welders’ will be doing their level best to cause an upset and they will seize on any weakness shown by the home team, so it’s important that we show a ‘United’ front straight from the kick-off. Remember this is the first of five must win games and just think of the ecstasy waiting for us come the 5^th of May, so come on United, let’s bust those welders!