At Last!

It doesn't seem like four years since we last tasted victory against the Coleraine scum, but oh it is so sweet. For long periods in today's game I thought we were going to fail, we were not at the races. I used to know a man in my youth who owned a part-share in a greyhound and he told me they used to feed the hound with stodgy food before a race to make it run badly and then get a good price in a later race and make their money that way. It looked as if United had been fed stodgy found at lunchtime today, they were lethargic and we second to nearly every ball and its a miracle how they kept a clean sheet for so long, two-thirds of the match were gone we they conceded their first goal.

As expected, Spike made one change from the line-up that defeated Crusaders on Christmas Saturday, Stuart Addis for the injured Dwayne Nelson in goal. With five minutes gone Stuarty fell victim to a crude late  tackle from Steven 'one cap' Carson, which should have merited a red card. Referee Burns decided a yellow was sufficient and Stuarty had to receive extensive treatment on the field which I believe was diagnosed as a dislocated finger and bravely played on after five minutes of treatment. The Coleraine scum fans even booed  Addis when the match resumed, obviously sporting behaviour is alien to them. United faced a barrage of scum pressure and we weathered the storm and started to find space of our own.

Coleraine had to make a change of keeper, goalkeeping coach Greg Shannon replacing  usual custodian Wayne Drummond, a 'plunker' for a 'plunked' and when Ally sent a cross into the box, Greg stayed rooted to his line and the ball nestled in the corner of the net. That was near the end of normal time in the first half and in time added on (6 mins), United increased their lead with a superb goal from Captain Jenks, Cush gave him the pass and the Captain did the rest. To their credit the scum continued to force the pace in the 2nd half and it was no surprise when they reduced  the arrears when the United defence failed to clear their lines. But almost immediately United restored their 2 goal lead, when Captain Jenks was allowed time and space from an Ally corner and he shot into the net.

Back came the scum and ref Burns played his part by ignoring United's appeals for a foul and giving the scum a doubtful one and 'one cap' took it quickly and found Bradley and he beat JT and found the net to make the 3-2. They looked likely to get a draw, but Stuarty pulled off a tremendous save to deny a scum equaliser and despite 3 mins of stoppage time United held out for the victory. It was an ugly win, but in derby matches, any win, is a win, I don't care how they are achieved. That we were so cruelly robbed many times in the last four years goes without saying, but today we came good and gave our supporters something to cheer. We have consolidated our position, the next month is going to be crucial, but we have laid the platform, now all we have to do is deliver the goods!