Aiden Liam?

The news from the Showgrounds is that there’s only one major doubt for tomorrow night’s game at home to Institute, kick-off 19-30ish. That doubt concerns midfielder Aiden Watson, who picked up a leg injury in the game against the ‘Scum’ on Monday. United have so many options open to them and we at ‘Sport would never try to second guess manager Tommy Wright. So it’s ‘perm any 11 from 16 for tomorrow night, when the league reaches the halfway stage against the Liam Beckett managed team. A win against the ‘Stute would mean United leapfrogging Newry and Cliftonville into fourth place for at least 17 hours. It would also put them within four points of third placed Portadown, who could only manage a home draw against Larne tonight. The point for the East Antrim men, coupled with their Boxing Day victory over Ards, sets up a fascinating encounter on New Years day, when United visit Inver Park. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here, let’s deal with the threat of Institute tomorrow night. The Drumahoe side have been a real ‘thorn in the flesh’ for United, especially at Ballymena, since their promotion from the Intermediate league. Former United supremo Kenny Shiels, famously or infamously (depending on your point of view), said United would do well against Institute, as they liked to play football. He was right, they did play football, only thing was they didn’t allow us to play any football and so gave us a bit of a lesson in our first ever encounter and on subsequent encounters. Current United manager Tommy Wright has no ‘hang-ups’ about the team playing football and will also hopefully have a plan to take care of the ‘Stute, tomorrow night. However, their manager, Liam Beckett, a regular visitor to Warden Street when commitments allow, will no doubt have a trick of two up his sleeve. So a fascinating encounter is in prospect and ‘Sport would urge all ‘true blue sheep shagging, dyed in the wool’ United fans, to be there, let’s have no silly excuses, your team needs you, ‘let’s shag those North Westerners!

Rory Glory!

United’s new management staff enter their first derby match with an almost fully fit panel of players, the only player missing being long term absentee Darren Fitzgerald (Fitzy), still recovering from a cruciate ligament injury. This would normally be a somewhat enviable position for a United manager to be in, we can’t remember Big Tam’s predecessor ever having that luxury, but then he invariably brought players back too quickly and that had a knock on effect. But we digress, the former Norn Iron keeper now must start to earn his wages, he somehow must manipulate us into sixth position in the league table over the next two games and as if that wasn’t enough, get us onto a points gathering run like he did at Limavady last season. A good surge up the league table, ‘coupled’ with a decent cup run and getting to the final of the County Antrim Shield, might just made the big man, more than just a gap filler. Any other scenario and the vultures will be circling and Tommy’s days at the ‘Paradise’ will we fear, be numbered. Rory Hamill, linked with a move to Portadown this week, a rumour hotly denied by the United management, needs to stand up and be counted against his former hometown club. Rory has the talent to ‘stand this game on its head’, but he has to really want it. Funny thing is it could be his ‘swan song’, but as the old saying goes, ‘what a way to go’. He would go down in United folklore alongside such greats as, Mal McDonnell, Jimmy Martin, Paul Malone and the man who ‘broke our hearts’ when he signed for the ‘scum’, Dessie ‘chicken’ Loughery. So Rory it’s over to you, let’s go ‘chase the Coleraine (love children) down the Ballycastle Road and the Sky Blue Sports team, go and on and on’!  

Decisions! Decisions!

We’re sorry, but for once at least, we have no news on United’s injury front. After Tuesday night’s famous victory against the ‘League champions’, let’s repeat that, victory over ‘the League champions’, we may have some players carrying a few ‘niggles’. Rory Hamill falls into that category as he ‘tweaked’ his hamstring and was replaced near the end of the game by the fit again Aiden Watson. Vinny Sweeney may also be in doubt as he had to come off at halftime, with a severe bout of sickness. Kevin Kelbie, who deputised for Sweeney so capably on Tuesday night, may get the starting nod if either or both strikers are unavailable. Also if both were unavailable, the manager may consider starting either of our two reserve strikers, Randall Reid and Paul McDowell. Unlike his predecessor, Kenny Shiels, the current United manager does have options open to him. One problem position we at ‘Sport feel needs sorting, is the central pairing of Scates and Haveron. Scates is the best performer by far, but Haveron flatters only to deceive and surely the management must realise that he is playing out of position. But will big Tam have the ‘courage’ to omit Haveron and give a start to either Aiden Watson or the forgotten man, Dominic Melly. Another option open to the United manager, if both strikers are fit, would be to play Sweeney and Kelbie up front, with the ‘versatile’ Hamill slotting into midfield. Defensive wise, he must also decide whether Gary Smyth has the stamina to play a second game inside four days and whether Craig McClean returns at fullback or Boydie continues in that role. Whatever he decides, one thing is for certain, three points are a must tomorrow as United’s most important game of the season so far, comes directly after the visit of Glenavon. Bring on Glenavon tomorrow we say and then we’ll give the ‘scum’ their comeuppance on Boxing Day!

Wright Bluffer!

In this season of ‘goodwill’, we at ‘Sport’ are wondering if it’s in short supply in the Wright household. A reliable ‘source’ informed us today that United had a ‘fully fit’ first team squad and that Phil Charnock would definitely play at the Oval tomorrow night, kick-off 19-45. Imagine our surprise on reading U.T.V. Teletext, only to be told that ‘Charnock’ would not be risked in tomorrow night’s match and would stay in England, playing in a ‘friendly’ game, in order to prove his fitness. What is the truth we wonder? Could it be that our manager is playing the wise-old ‘baldy’ Roy Coyle at his own game. Coyle rarely ‘shows  his hand’ in advance, there’s always one or two players who have no chance of playing in the game, but then former Carrick Rangers Physio, Jim Weatherup, lays on his ‘magic’ hands and the player or players make a miraculous recovery. They also generally manage to play a ‘blinder’ against us, which is even more ‘galling’. Could ‘Big’ Tam be subtle enough to ‘double bluff’, the ‘double bluffer’, or has Charnock really been left to carry-on his fitness, in England, as ‘Big’ Tam already stated. The only way to find out for sure is to go along to the Oval tomorrow night and we would urge all of United’s ‘true’ fans to do that, United are perfectly capable of ‘bouncing’ back and we’re long, long, long overdue a win at the Oval. Come on United, let’s ‘shag’ those Townies!

Down Downing!

Ballymena have, according to informed sources, only one decision to make regarding selection for tomorrow night’s match against Portadown at Shamrock Park, kick-off 19-45 (we think). That decision, again according to ‘sources’, is whether young Craig McClean, rested as a precaution on Tuesday night, comes back into the team, or if the manager decides to keep Aby McCabe, who performed so well against the Whites, in instead. One note of caution we at Sky Blue Sport would like to voice is, that the match will be highly provocative, as Portadown in general and Mickey Collins in particular, tend to impose a fairly physical threat. With that in mind maybe playing McCabe would be somewhat risky as he has a penchant to react somewhat ‘violently’ when provoked. Tomorrow night we will need our players to show a lot of discipline and as Aby is a wholehearted type of player, maybe it would not be the place for him to be. United find themselves in unchartered territory at the moment, with only three clean sheets prior to last Saturday’s game against Lisburn Distillery this season, they now have a chance to double that figure at Portadown tomorrow night, after two games in a row without conceding a goal. This will be a tall order against the Ports, who tend to be somewhat free scoring, but if the United defence is ‘up for the game’, then anything is possible. If the Sky Blues can somehow ‘glean’ four points from their next two games, Portadown tomorrow night and the visit to the Oval to play Glentoran on Tuesday December 13th, then we will be set up for the only home match before Christmas when we entertain Glenavon on Saturday December 17th. So Gary Smyth and company it’s over to you, we know you can do it, so come on and show us, ‘let’s shag those Portadowners’!

Red Revenge!

United manager Tommy Wright has a happy dilemma before he makes his team selection for tomorrow night’s County Antrim Shield 2nd round tie at home to Cliftonville. With Dominic Melly fit once more, the United supremo must decide whether to restore Melly to the starting line-up, or say same again to the team that triumphed last Saturday. Midfielder Gary Haveron, who was taken off as a precaution last week, has been given the ‘all clear’ as far as we know and the United manager must decide whether to start with him or not. Will he we wonder, rest veteran Gary Smyth, as he has done in the past, giving ‘big’ Gordon Simms a rare run out in the first team. The important thing to remember tomorrow night is, ‘that a victory is vitally important. If United can achieve that, then with a wee bit of luck, missing the ‘big two’ in the semi, a path to the final beckons. Wouldn’t it be somewhat ‘ironic’ if we were to meet Larne, who defeated us in last season’s Irish cup semi, when our manager was ‘King’ Kenny Shiels, who, by a twist of fate of course, is their manager now? Of such things are dreams made of, a chance for revenge and a meeting with a former hero. But first things first, a victory is our first priority and after our last game against Cliftonville, we’ll need to come out of the starting ‘blocks’ with all guns blazing. If we believe in ourselves like we did last Saturday, then anything is possible, so come on Sky Blues, let’s ‘shag’ those chickens, they really are a ‘fowl’ lot!

White Washers!

For United manager Tommy Wright, tomorrow’s game against Lisburn Distillery, is a case of something similar, regarding team selection. With Charnock, Collier, Aiden Watson and long term absentee Dominic Melly, still missing through injury, the United manager’s hands are somewhat tied regarding his starting eleven. Lisburn Distillery are, unless there’s been a huge change in attitude, a fairly physical team and the United manager should bear this in mind when selecting his starting eleven. We simply cannot afford to allow the ‘Whites’ the freedom of the ‘park’, that we did last week against Limavady United. If we do, then we’d be staring another defeat in the face, which would push us farther down the league table. Surely big Tam has to consider restoring Kevin Kelbie upfront with either Sweeney or Hamill taking over on the right side of midfield, which in turn would allow Gareth Scates to move into centre midfield. The ‘wee’ man is wasted out on the right and he has been badly missed in the ‘engine room’ of the Sky Blue machine. We at ‘Sport are undecided on whether he should drop Dean Youle completely, or if he should in fact play him at right back and let Kieran Donaghy warm the bench along with Boydie and Paul McDowell. The rest of the defence will have to soldier on and maybe they can get themselves ‘sorted’ out, bearing in mind the big games coming up for United. Next Tuesday we entertain Cliftonville in the 2nd round of the County Antrim Shield and it’s of paramount importance that we progress to the next stage. We then follow this up with a trip to Portadown next Friday night, go to the Oval to play the ‘Champions’ eight days later, before entertaining Glenavon in the next game. No easy fixtures for us among that lot is there, but going by our form against the so called ‘lesser’ teams, maybe it’s all for the best. So let’s hope the boys are up for it tomorrow, it’s gotta be three points, if the players want it enough, they can do it!

United Victory!

Tomorrow sees the first visit of this season by Limavady United, the team formerly managed by United supremo, Tommy Wright. Limavady have replaced big Tam with Paul Kee and he appears to be in the process of ‘turning’ them round, as their results lately have been encouraging. Hopefully the United manager (Ballymena United that is), has instilled in his new charges, the need for a professional approach to all games. If we play to our capabilities, three points can be ours, but we must give the visitors no chances to put one over on us, as they are certainly capable of it. A win tomorrow and a draw between Cliftonville and Coleraine and we could jump two places in the league table. In fact if another couple of games end in draws we could leap into fourth place. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, first we have to get a win tomorrow and as we have already said, it won’t be easy. The United manager, according to reports, will be naming an unchanged side, with Charnock, Collier and Aiden Watson, still missing through injury. United will come up against at least two former players tomorrow, in the shape of midfielder Lee Patrick and former United goalie Dwayne Nelson, fresh from scoring against Lisburn Distillery last week. Hopefully, as we say, the Sky Blues will be up for the ‘task’ tomorrow and hopefully United will continue with their upward climb of the Premiership table. Come on Sky Blues, ‘let’s shag those Roesiders’!

Trio Troubles!

United manager Tommy Wright awaits fitness reports on three players before naming his team to face ‘homeless’ Ards at Clandeboye Park, Bangor. Former Ards player, Aiden Watson is struggling with a thigh injury, right back Stephen Collier has an ankle knock, while Englishman Phil Charnock has an injured foot. Luckily the United manager is amply covered for all three positions, with a number of options for his consideration. We feel sure big Tam would like to name the same team who triumphed against Dungannon Swifts last Saturday, but will only select players if fully fit. But confidence is high in the Sky Blue camp, especially after ending the ‘Swifts’ unbeaten 16 match league run and they will want to build on that victory tomorrow. Of course it’s not going to be easy, Ards have been somewhat unlucky so far and almost beat Portadown last Saturday, so United will need to be up for it tomorrow. The Sky Blue faithful can play a part in our opinion, as they usually create a carnival atmosphere, when United travel to the North Down venue. Let’s hope we’ll all be singing tomorrow come five o’clock, ‘Didn’t we have a lovely time, the day we went to Bangor’, let’s shag those county Downers and build on last Saturdays good result!

Swift Justice!

United manager Tommy Wright finds himself in an almost ‘enviable’ position for tomorrow’s game against Dungannon Swifts, as he has an almost a fully fit squad and his biggest dilemma is who to leave out. In fact if the team was playing with loads of confidence, it would be a hard decision for him, but as things stand, surely he must go with his strongest team. In our opinion this means no place in the starting line-up for young Aiden Watson, as it is a complete folly to play Phil Charnock anywhere but centre midfield and he’ll need a ‘ball winner’ beside him and again (in our opinion), that means Gary Haveron starting alongside Charnock. With Boydie and Dominic Melly supposedly both back to full fitness, will the manager be brave enough to bring both into wide positions in midfield, or will he continue with the ploy of playing Scatesy wide on the right and taking one from, Melly, Boydie and Andy Rosbotham. Up front Rory and Vinny will we think be asked to continue in the hope that a viable partnership will emerge, while the defence, while not brilliant last week, will almost certainly be on the same lines as last Saturday. Tomorrow’s opponents, Dungannon Swifts, will be no pushover, but if United can put in another effort akin to last Saturday’s, then we believe three points are there for the taking. Yes, a good effort and a referee who only calls foul, when there is a foul and has the courage to caution players who take a ‘dive’, unlike last Saturday. We expect no favours from anybody, just a ‘fair crack of the whip’; the rest is down to luck!

Blue Heaven!

United manager Tommy Wright has an unfamiliar dilemma tomorrow, with an almost completely fit squad of players, big Tam must decide who to leave out. United Captain Gary Smyth looks certain to make a return and I would also expect young left-back Craig McClean to reclaim his position. That leaves Boydie and Kieran Donaghy trying to oust Albert Watson and the impressive Stephen Collier, who would relish the task of facing his former team. The manager must also decide whether to bring back former Linfield player Phil Charnock who has reported fit once more and if he does, who partners him in centre midfield. Stuart King may just hold down the wide right position and the manager could persevere with young Andy Rosbotham, who has not set the world alight so far, or bring in Boydie in a wide left role. Vinny Sweeney will be given another chance to make the striker’s role his own and we expect Rory Hamill to partner him. United fans will be hoping former Sky Blue favourite, Oran Kearney, won’t have his shooting boots with him, as it would be annoying if he should score against them. The United team will have to be that tomorrow if they are to glean something from this game. Only if everybody works for each other and only if we are United in our cause, can we hope to succeed. So come on Sky Blues, let’s ‘shag those townies’, let’s send them back to old dirty Belfast, with their tails between their legs!

Wright Attitude!

With Kieran Donaghy set to miss his first ever league game for United tomorrow, manager Tommy Wright must decide whether to bring in Albert Watson or Gordon Simms. After the inept display by the ‘whole’ United team last week, the manager will be hoping things will improve drastically, when United visit Holm Park for their first fixture in Armagh for a couple of seasons. United’s record at the ‘dead centre’ of the cathedral city, is nothing special, but three points must be gleaned tomorrow, to set United up for the next couple of games. We at ‘Sport wonder if the United supremo will bring in the fit again Dominic Melly and give the ineffective Vinny Sweeney a game in the reserves. He also must decide if there’s any point in keeping Kevin Kelbie in the starting line-up, as he has failed to impress so far in this campaign. Last week we implored the lads to get their ‘collective’ fingers out and of course they didn’t take a blind bit of notice. This week it has to be ‘up and at ‘em’ and remember what old Jonesy used to say in Dad’s Army, ‘they don’t like it up ‘em’, so let’s stick it up ‘em, eh lads!  

Charnock Services!

Phil Charnock, who signed a four month contract with United on Tuesday night, will make his debut for the Sky Blues in the tricky away game at Loughgall tomorrow. With Stuart King fit once again, United manager Tommy Wright will have to decide who plays where at Lakeview Park. Will he be brave enough to give young Andrew Rosbotham the nod in the wide left position and keep King on the bench? He also must decide whom he pairs with Charnock in midfield, will it be Haveron, who has been less than impressive so far, or will either Gareth Scates or Aiden Watson get the nod. Rumour has it, that Stephen Collier, who impressed in Monday night’s friendly against a Derry City select, may well retain the right-back slot on Saturday. This may mean Kieran Donaghy’s unbroken run in the team may come to an end, or will big Tam slot him in as sweeper with either Gary Smyth, Gordon Simms or the fit again Albert Watson as his partner. He also must decide whether to stick with McFrederick in goal or bring in Kieran McLaughlin, who also impressed in Monday night’s friendly. Up front we’re afraid his options are very limited and it looks like Hamill and Kelbie will retain their starting roles. That only leaves the wide right position to be filled and surely Dominic Melly must come into the reckoning if he is fit, as Vinny Sweeney has been anything but impressive of late. Hopefully the Sky Blue choir have already got a ‘welcome song’ for Phil Charnock, but if they haven’t and he manages to score or create a goal tomorrow, they’ll definitely think of one!  

Handy Andy!

Phil Charnock, as announced ‘exclusively’ on Sky Blue Sport, made a quiet debut for Ballymena in a friendly game last night at the Showgrounds. A spokesman for the United board denied reports that the match was being played on the ‘quiet’, but there was in reality little or no announcement of the match taking place and the paltry crowd reflected this. For the record, United won one nil, thanks to an Andy Rosbotham free kick which went through the ‘Derry wall’, excuse our pun. The match against the City fringe players was played at a fairly lively pace and United’s back up keeper Kieran McLaughlin, made a couple of smart saves to give his team a victory. Phil Charnock had a good first half, like any ‘class’ player, he seems to have a lot of time and space and can lay the ball off rather nicely. His two attempts on goal in the first half we put down to rustiness, his first a shot after a knock down header from a corner was easily blocked, while his second from a 30 yard free kick sailed miles over the bar. United’s summer signing, Gary Haveron, who played at centre back had easily his best game since joining the club, while debutant right back Stephen Collier was also impressive. United are still struggling up front, with Rory Hamill fighting a lone battle as Kevin Kelbie continues to struggle. All in all it was a worthwhile exercise, but surely a bit more media participation would’ve brought along a much better crowd. We can only hope that Derry City didn’t demand too much of an appearance fee, as the crowd there wouldn’t do much more than cover expenses!

Daring Derry!

Derry City are breezing into town tomorrow night to play United in a friendly, it’s hoped the Eircom league pacesetters will bring a full strength squad to the Showgrounds. The match will allow Showgrounds supremo, Tommy Wright, the opportunity to run his eye over Englishman Phil Charnock, who was on Linfield’s books last season. It will also allow some of the United fringe players to have a game in an effort to impress the manager and maybe give some of the injured players a much need game before the visit to Loughgall on Saturday. The match kicks off at 8pm we are told and United will be hoping for a half decent turnout for what should be an interesting game. It would be nice to report that we had unearthed a striker, but after all this is reality and they’re as scarce as hen’s teeth. So we’re afraid we’ll just have to soldier on in the meantime, well at least until January anyway. Hopefully it won’t be too late by then, so somebody has to start scoring goals and tomorrow night would be as good a time as any. So we’ll be keeping our fingers crossed, that maybe Rory Hamill will at last come up with the goods!

Chicken Licking!

United manager Tommy Wright will make several changes to his starting line-up for tomorrow’s visit of Chickenville. Boydie and Melly still missing through injury, but now Johnny Steele is doubtful after being involved in a car accident, while Stuart King faces a late fitness test on his ankle injury. Rumours are circulating that Steele wants to return to the ‘States’, while fellow strike partner Kelbie is unhappy at being substituted in United’s last two games. United look set to drop Vinny Sweeney who has failed to live up to his early promise, one of several players who have flattered to deceive. Gordon Simms and Kieran Donaghy are also under pressure with Albert Watson and Stephen Collier waiting in the wings. So ‘all in all’, it could be a much altered starting eleven which takes the field tomorrow. But whoever gets the nod for tomorrow’s game, it’s imperative that United get back to winning ways. We know only too well that losing can just as easily become a habit, as winning can. So come on Sky Blues, let’s banish those negative thoughts, let’s go into this enforced two week lay-off with a win under our belts, that will set us up nicely for our two away fixtures on the trot and then the ‘big’ home game with Linfield. So it’s three points tomorrow and send the Chickens back to roost, you know you can do it!

Missing Bruce!

Apologies to any avid Sky Blue Sport fans, we have as yet no match report for Saturday’s disaster at the ‘Marshes’. Our intrepid reporter, Bruce Balmer, has gone missing, or to put it in proper language, he just hasn’t surfaced since Saturday. But he tells us his report is in transit, or in other words he knows what he’s going to say, but he just hasn’t got round to saying it yet. But as soon as it becomes available, hopefully before next Saturday, we will endeavour to publish it. United manager Tommy Wright is purported to have said that he’ll be making quite a few changes for the home game against Cliftonville. As someone noted on Saturday except for the defence, all the starters on Saturday were recruited by the manager, does that mean he’s made poor signings? Let’s hope not because the future will be bit bleak if big Tam’s plans are in disarray already. We at ‘Sport know the problem, as do most United fans, we’re badly missing a reliable goalscorer, but where we’re going to get one is anybody’s guess. Late signing Kevin Kelbie doesn’t seem to fit the bill and he still ‘reeks’ of a panic buy. But he’s the best we’ve got, at least until the transfer window opens and we’ll just have to manage until then as best we can!

Action Stations!

We wouldn’t like to say that three points are vital for United when they make the long trip to Newry, but it would go a long way to defining our season. Let’s face it, we haven’t really been turning it on so far this season and where better to start than at Newry tomorrow. United manager Tommy Wright would probably settle for a draw, but ‘we’ think this is a game we must win, as this is the sort of team we need to be beating. Big Tommy may have a selection problem tomorrow, as Captain Gary Smyth appears to have recovered from his ankle injury, but it would surely be a gamble to play him tomorrow. With Rory Hamill still injured it looks as if Kelbie and Steele will get the nod up front, but there may be a place on the bench for the fit again Dominic Melly. The United defence which has had a habit of leaking late goals, succumbed once more last Tuesday night and this must be giving our coaching staff a wee bit of concern. So here’s hoping for a clean sheet tomorrow and maybe somehow we can ‘sneak’ one at the other end!

Porta Downing!

It’s do or die for United tomorrow night against Portadown in the final C.I.S. cup group game. There cause was, in our opinion, helped today by the resignation of Newry City manager, Roy ‘Motormouth’ McCreadie. The spirit in the Newry camp must be very low after their heavy defeat at the hands of the Ports on Saturday and then the news today about their manager parting company with the club, must leave some players in doubt about their future at the club. But we digress, first we must beat Portadown and then and only then, worry about the result of the Glenavon / Newry game. Stuart King and Dominic Melly are expected to be passed fit for this game, but Rory Hamill has been virtually ruled out. This means United may well go with the front two of Steele and Kelbie, although United manager Tommy Wright informed Bruce Balmer on Saturday that Kelbie was substituted because in his opinion, he was not doing enough. Surely Portadown, who are already assured of being group winners, will have little interest in the tie, which again should play into United’s hands. The ball as they say is at United’s feet, the match is there for them to win and with it possible qualification for the knock-out stages of the competition. Once there who knows what can happen, if the luck’s on your side, you just never know!  

Rigid Resolve!

Ballymena begin their league campaign tomorrow with a game against their closest geographical neighbours, Larne. Even though there’s only twenty miles separating the mid-Antrim men and the ‘harbour rats’, this game is still not viewed by United fans as a ‘derby game’, no that honour is reserved for the annual ‘grudge’ games against our dear friends, the Coleraine scum. Tomorrow’s game, although not a derby, does have a wee bit of added spice to it as United fans have fresh in their memory their semi-final defeat to Larne in last seasons Irish cup. Although not involved in that game, United’s new manager Tommy Wright has instilled in his players the need to be ‘up’ for this game from the outset. United will still be missing their ‘talisman’ Rory Hamill, while Stuart King’s chances of playing are fairly slim. The United manager will probably start with virtually the same line-up as last Saturday, although Gareth Scates could get the nod ahead of Aiden Watson in centre midfield. That would only leave him having to decide who replaces the doubtful, Stuart King. Our gut feeling is that he will give on-loan signing Johnny Steele the start, especially if he has accepted the extended contract, which the manager is reported to have offered him. So let’s get the season off to a winning start tomorrow, three points in convincing fashion and that’ll set us up for our big C.I.S. cup match at home to the Ports on Tuesday night. Let’s send those ‘rats’ back to the seaside with their tails between their legs, anything else is unthinkable!

What about our wee country?

A Ballymena win on Saturday will hardly be of the stature of OWC's great victory of Wednesday night, but a decent performance can put us on good footing for the league kick-off in just a week. It seems like less than one year ago that we were preparing for a season full of optimism with a few big signings and the Odense performance behind us, but perhaps the season was disappointing. This season we've got to hope we have the 'Wright' man at the helm though and a good finish to the CIS group stage might lift our optimism.

Glenavon of course aren't exactly England. Having lost four games out of four, they should be easy pickings for a side with aspirations of a top five finish. United's CIS hopes could, however, be equated to Northern Ireland's hopes of qualifying. While Our Wee Country was totally out of the running, the Sky Blues merely need a miracle to get through. Wins for United in our next two games against the Mid-Ulster teams would give us only a slight chance, but Woy can't be relied on for much, never mind the performance we need from his Newry side to beat Portadown on Saturday or lose to Glenavon next week.

Skybluesport don't normally espouse such pessimism but it's down to the Sky Blues to get two wins in our next games. We've shown we can potentially beat both the Mid Ulster "big two" so far this season and we fancy the Sky Blues to get a good run going into the more important league campaign. Glenavon should be easy pickings and any team which feels Jamie Marks is a useful addition has the potential to be turned over. So Skybluesport predict 6 points for the Sky Blues to lead us in to a successulf league campaign. Regardless of Newry's results, two wins are vital to get us on track.

With the Sky Blues likely to be missing our playmaker in the form of Rory Hamill, perhaps it will be a chance for Tommy to show the potential of new signings such as McDowell and Kelbie. Gary Smyth should be back though and our ever optimistic captain has predicted a 8-1 victory by the Sky Blues in a private interview he gave to Skybluesport. We're backing Gary's prediction. Gary also expressed his pleasure at OWC's great performance last night, stating "Carlsberg don't do football but if they did every night would be like Wednesday night, Ballymena will win 8-1 and Newry will turnover Portadown, leaving our group wide open for the sheepshagging sky blues!"

We're not Brazil, we're Northern Ireland. 1-0!

Shannon Shenanigans!

Just a little more info on the Greg Shannon ‘incident’, it seems he’s been kicked out because of some indiscipline. The United management are being unusually tight lipped about the reason, so I guess we’ll have to draw our own conclusions. A suggestion from one of our number is that he was on the town two days before a game, which would be seen as a breach of club procedure. If he were a good player and vital team member, he might get away with that, but seeing as he did not inspire any confidence in the United defence, he would have been shown the door. Yet another suggestion forthcoming is that he was ‘messing’ where he shouldn’t have been messing and he was warned off, but didn’t play a blind bit of notice and was then told his contract had been terminated. But whatever the reason is, one thing is for sure, he’s definitely gone and we at ‘Sport are not sorry to see him gone. On another point, wasn’t that good news about our dear rivals, Coleraine, being given a reprieve, at least now we’ll have a game on Boxing Day.

Window Closes!

Linfield Swift’s goalkeeper, Greg Shannon has left United to rejoin the Linfield second string. This of course was the man brought in to replace the out of favour Robert ‘Goosey’ Robinson, who has since joined Newry (City), we have placed the ‘City’ in brackets because we’re not 100% sure that is the name of the team from the ‘marshes’. Why else would the name in their social club, still proclaim them as Newry Town social club?  Maybe they’re not too sure themselves. But we digress, when approached about the departure of Shannon, a United official’s only comment, was that he, Shannon, was only a tube. We at ‘Sport could not in all fairness elaborate on that statement and hope for a more detailed report sometime in the future. Suffice to say that Shannon has returned to Linfield and Gareth Mullan has gone back to the North west to join Institute, hopefully that will complete the comings and goings at the Showgrounds for the foreseeable future!

Marksing Orders!

Jamie Marks time at Ballymena has expired and he has moved to Portadown just beating the transfer deadline. Jamie has, if you’ll pardon the pun, been marking time at United for the last two years. Jamie made only 42 appearances as a Sky Blue in that time, scoring only two goals in the process, not much of a return for earning a decent wage. But that’s all water under the bridge so to speak and we at ‘Sport wish Jamie well at his new club. As Jamie moved out yet another player moved in when manager Wright signed former Cliftonville and Institute goalkeeper, Kieran McLaughlin. This news will come as a jolt to Willie McFrederick, who had just forced his way into the first team, now he not only has to challenge Greg Shannon for the keeper’s jersey, he’ll have to contend with McLaughlin as well. The United defence still looks a bit ‘creaky’ and was exposed once more at Newry last night. New signing Kevin Kelbie looks a bit ‘raw’ up front, but we’ll now see what manager Wright is made of, we’ll see if he can work the magic and turn him into a lethal striker. Gary Smyth who missed last night’s game through injury should be fit for the next game away to Glenavon in eleven days time. Unfortunately we won’t have a match report for that game as Bruce Balmer is off overseas after the World cup match with England and won’t return until two day’s before the first league match. In the meantime we will try to keep you updated in all that’s happening at the old Showgrounds.

Marsh Pride!

With the news that United manager Tommy Wright has signed former Glasgow Rangers apprentice Kevin Kelby, we at ‘Sport are wondering if this is a ‘masterstroke’ by the United manager, or a ‘panic buy’, coming as it does just two days from the transfer deadline. Once again we are told that Kelby is not an ‘out and out’ striker, but a midfielder or striker, in other words yet another player like Sweeney and Hamill. On the plus side is the fact that big Tommy turned an average player, Kevin Ramsey (us United fans know how average he was), into one of the most deadly strikers in the league, during his spell at Limavady United, so let’s hope he can do the same with Kevin Kelby. We at ‘Sport would urge United fans to give young Kevin time to adjust to the pace of Irish league football and time to find his ‘niche’ in the United set-up. We realise we need an instant fix, but it’s more important to have our team ‘gelling’ at the start of the league, yes getting to the knock out stages of the C.I.S. cup would be nice, but getting off to a good start in the league is of tantamount importance. So after getting all that off our chest what are our chances of progressing in the C.I.S. cup? Mathematically we still have a chance, but we need at least a draw tomorrow night when we visit the Marshes to take on Newry City and then if we only manage a draw, maximum points away to Glenavon and at home to Portadown. No it is not impossible but it will take everybody playing at the top of their game, no lapses in defence like there have been in all three games so far this season. But a defeat tomorrow night would be fatal, unless Glenavon take something from their game with Portadown. There are really too many ‘variables’ and all we can do is our very best and if we do that and still miss out, then so be it. Do the ‘Sky Blue crew’ have a song with Kevin Kelby’s name in it already? If not, hopefully they soon will have, we suppose they could always go with ‘he’s blue, he’s white, he’s f—king dynamite’ or would some other ex-Sky Blue striker take offence, in the end, who cares?

(W)Right Decisions!

New United manager Tommy Wright, has decided rightly or wrongly (forgive us the pun), to change his defence for the home game against Glenavon tonight, kick-off, 07-45pm. Whether this is the correct procedure to halt the Sky Blues run of defeats, is anybody's guess, but at least the 'big' man is not afraid to make a decision. The United defence have not played that badly, conceding three goals in two games, but it is the manner in which they conceded them that is worrying for the United boss. To say that all three goals were pure defensive errors, would be to hit the nail on the head. All of them could've been prevented and all of them should've been prevented. After two games it's plain to see that goalscoring is not going to be any easier than last year, so therefore it's imperative that we keep our goals against down to the bare minimum. That should surely mean a recall for club captain Gary Smyth, but at whose expense we wonder. Will it be Albert Watson or Gordon Simms, or is it yet another scenario, three at the back, with Boydie and Donaghy as wing-backs. The midfield hasn't exactly set the world on fire now has it, so maybe there's a case for giving a couple of them a kick up the backside. Striker Paul McDowell must surely get a place on the bench, if not a starting berth, as Rory Hamill continues with his 'flattering to deceive' form. Maybe a couple of days of keeping the bench warm will give the Coleraine man the motivation he needs. We are not advocating full scale changes, but it's obvious that the present squad are not delivering the goods, so a little pruning now might just allow them to blossom into winners. Our defence will have to be on their toes even more so tonight, as ex-player Shea Campbell, will be out to put one over on them. Come on United, let's send the Craigavon men home, in 'mourning'!

Steele Blues!

United manager Tommy Wright continues to dip into the transfer market by signing two players over the last couple of days. First to come into the Showgrounds fold was under 19 International, midfielder Johnny Steele. The Larne player joins two other first teamers from the East Antrim Town, Gary Haveron and central defender Gordon Simms. Also joining the Sky Blues was former Linfield full-back, Stephen Collier. Manager Wright then put Jamie Marks and Eddie Hill on the transfer list. The United manager has a full panel to select from tomorrow, but is expected to give last week's squad a vote of confidence, although he may find room on the bench for Captain Gary Smyth, who has served his one match ban. Tomorrow's game sees the visit of the man Sky Blue fans love to hate, motormouth, Roy McCreadie and the return of last year's keeper Goosey Robinson. No doubt 'Goosey' will have his usual banter with the fans, but will be out to derail the United juggernaut, nothing we're sure would give him greater pleasure. Let's hope we have a better turn-out than the small crowd who turned up at Portadown last Saturday and let's cheer the Sky Blues to victory!

First Blood!

Big Tommy Wright will be hoping to draw first blood when United make the trip to Shamrock Park tomorrow for our first game in the C.I.S. cup. A result tomorrow is of vital importance, if United are to have any chance of progressing to the knock-out stages of the competition. A one nil defeat is not a result, it's a setback and it'd be a setback we could ill afford. United go into the game minus, Tim McCann, Fitzy and Jamie Marks, all injured, while team captain Gary Smyth and new signing Paul McDowell, are both serving suspensions. The United captain should be available for selection for United's next game at home to Newry, while McDowell must wait until his former team, Glentoran seconds, complete two competitive games. Portadown are rumoured to be 'sweating' on midfielder Mickey Collins, who is nursing an injury, but we've heard all these stories before and will only believe it when we see it. Can United come away with a victory, we ask ourselves? Portadown did start off slow last season, but with Vinny Arkins and Gary Hamilton reaffirming their allegiance to the club, the United defence could be in for a torrid time. We at 'Sport are of the opinion that the first twenty minutes are vital, if we can hold them at bay for that length of time, then we might just have a 'wee' chance. So, we need everybody performing at the top of his game tomorrow and we need the Sky Blue faithful to be there in large numbers to give the lads their undying support. Let's make it a good day out in Portadown tomorrow, let's 'shag' those Orchard county sheep!

Last Chance!

Tonight is the last chance for United's 'fringe' players to make an impression on United manager Tommy Wright and his coaching staff, when the Sky Blues first team pay a visit to Bangor. The playing staff were given a night off training last night, after their somewhat jaded showing in the away friendly at Ballyclare Comrades on Saturday past. We at 'Sport were of the opinion during Kenny Shiels's management tenure, that United played far too many pre-season friendlies and we're wondering if Tommy Wright has fallen into the same trap. Surely a couple of friendlies against top class opposition would stand the team in good stead, rather than the six or seven against what can best be described as 'second class' opposition. More questions were asked than answered last Saturday and United still look rather light upfront, where Vinny Sweeney missed with yet another 'free' header. Admittedly we missed a stack of chances in the first half, but we were doing that last season also, so maybe nothing's changed. Still only time will tell and the United manager has tonight's game to get it sorted, before the 'real' thing begins with a trip to Portadown this Saturday. United's reserve team is also in action tonight away to Chimney Corner, so fans may feel their presence there would be better. We're sure the hard working committee at the Antrim club would appreciate a good turn out, but unfortunately this is unlikely as it clashes with european football on the 'box'. Just a word in passing about the 'team we love to hate', Coleraine, how did they ever allow themselves to get into such a big debt is beyond comprehension. For once we sympathise with their fans, but the men in 'suits' who allowed Coleraine to go down the plughole, should not be allowed to forget their part in it's downfall. Let this serve as a warning to all Irish league clubs, keep the purse strings tight, otherwise you could be in the same boat!

Dick Off!

Mark Dickson the leading marksman for Larne last season, turned down United for a second time in twelve months and looks poised to sign a two-year deal that will tie him to Larne. We at 'Sport are not sorry, as it is our belief that Dickson is a player with few ambitions and wants to be the big 'fish' in the small pool. United are on the look-out for players who want the very best and Dickson definitely doesn't appear to come into that category. We are also of the opinion that Dickson, fine player though he may be, is not the 'final piece' in the Tommy Wright jig-saw. We are we believe still looking for the target man upfront and those are as they say, as scarce as hen's teeth. Former United manager Kenny Shiels allowed at least three possible candidates to pass him by, but hopefully big Tommy won't let the grass grow under his feet. In the meantime, new signing Vinnie Sweeney will have to carry the load and who knows maybe he can continue a United tradition, where in the absence of a striker, a man moved in as a stop gap, made the position his own, only time will tell. United continue their friendly games with a trip to play second division side Ballyclare Comrades tomorrow afternoon and wind things up with a trip to Bangor on Tuesday night. On Tuesday last a first team panel swept aside Saturday morning league outfit Randalstown Sky Blues by four goals to nil, scorers for United were, Rory Hamill 2, Gary Haveron and Eddie Hill. Last night a team made up entirely of fringe players, lost 3-2 to Intermediate league side Connor, with Reid and McQuitty on the scoresheet for United. Let's hope the Sky Blues can get back to winning ways tomorrow, as the old saying goes, 'winning can become a habit' and it's a 'habit' we definitely need to acquire!

Too Soon!

'It's too soon to know' go the words of the 'Roy Orbison song' (apologies for our use of 'highlight' commas) and just for information purpses, 'Roy Orbison' (there we go again), was a singer of yesteryear. So in our humble opinion (not that Bruce Balmer or Omar would admit to being humble), it's too soon to judge how United have progressed under new manager Tommy Wright. So far we have not been overly impressive in our friendly games (we resisted the temptation to emphasis friendly, but it was tough we can tell you), but at the end of the day, they are only to allow our manager to run his eye over our entire playing staff. We fought out a one all draw with Coagh United on last Friday night (or should we say Friday last, our grammar is not the best we know, Mister Gourly must be turning in his grave), the same Coagh United whom we just managed to dispose of by the score of one nil in the Irish cup and we're sure we don't have to remind Sky Blue supporters how nail-biting that encounter was. It was nice to see new signing Paul McDowell score the equaliser for United (Ballymena), in this game, hopefully this will be the first of many in a Sky Blue jersey for the former Glentoran player. Then on Saturday our reserves with the addition of Boydie and Gary Smyth beat Raceview Rangers one nil with Randal Reid getting the all important goal, during the club's open day. With a trip to junior club Randalstown Sky Blues tomorrow night, followed by a trip to intermediate side Connor on Thursday night, let's hope the Sky Blues 'juggernaut', keeps rolling along!

Marching On!

The Sky Blues continued their 'friendly' games, with a trip to Newforge Lane and a game against the P.S.N.I. The second division side had little answer to the 'slick' moving Sky Blues and were let off lightly with a three nil scoreline. New signing Vincent Sweeney nothched two of the goals and the other one came from the boot of Gary Haveron, who hit a sweet free kick from thirty yards. Manger Tommy Wright gave a first game to dimunitive United striker Eddie Hill in place of Rory Hamill and played McFrederick in goal for the entire ninety minutes. United's next game is away to Coagh United tomorrow (Friday), kick-off 7-15, followed by a match at home against Raceview Rangers the next day during the club's 'open day', kick-off 3pm. This is in fact United's only home game of the entire round of pre-season friendlies. The United management have been alerted by the news that Larne striker Mark Dickson, has now had a change of heart and won't be joining newly promoted Glenavon, following the sacking of their manager Tommy Kincaid. Dickson had been a target for former United manager Kenny Shiels last season, but decided to stay at Larne in that instance. Now it seems he is open to offers, but the snag is that United having completed the signing of Glentoran 'fringe' player Paul McDowell, now find their 'purse strings' stretched to the limit. But and we stress the word 'but', as the old saying goes 'it's not over to the fat lady sings', we at 'Sport will endeavour to keep you posted!

We're Off!

Yes we've made a few changes and hopefully they're for the best, but only time will tell. The four of us just got together and decided that enough was enough. We had written a new piece for publication last week, but even with a six week lay off, our I.S.P. decided to go off line at that point. Iit could've gone off at anytime during that six weeks and we wouldn't have given a 'monkeys', but no it only went off line, when we wanted to publish our update. So now we're off and running with a new I.S.P. and yes we know they'll be teething problems, but hopefully we'll be able to provide a much better service, but still keep all the 'good' Sky Blue Sport stuff. Our beloved United are off and running as well and yes they've made a few changes too. As with Sky Blue Sport, only time will tell if they're changes for the better or not, but there was, dare we say it, a feeling of optimism during United's 'friendly' game with Letterkenny Rovers on Saturday. Although we emphasised that it was a 'friendly' game, the home side we're decidedly unfriendly and gave our boys a good kicking, but it was also nice to see that one or two of the United lads were willing to fight fire with fire. The ploy of playing proposed 'signing' Vincent Sweeney, up front, was fairly successful, but only time will tell if he and Rory Hamill can make an impact or not. Gary Haveron was impressive in central midfield and gives us a bit of much needed height in that department. Ex-Linfield player Stuart King looked good on the left and he and Boydie seemed to have developed a bit of an understanding already. Judgement on new keeper Greg Shannon will have to wait as he had little to do, except pick the ball out of the net, when a deflected shot left him stranded. All in all it was good day out for all concerned and as the Sky Blue faithful were quick to point out in one of their 'songs', we kept our unbeaten away record in Europe intact. We do realise it's only two games but all records have to start somewhere, don't they!