INTERMEDIATE CUP ROUND 1
United made the long trip on Saturday to Ardstraw near Newtownstewart County Tyrone for this first round Intermeduate Cup tie.
Strangely enough the opposition are no strangers to United as the clubs played each other in the same competition two seasons ago and a friendship having been built up resulted in United travelling there in a pre season friendly last August past.
On Saturday United went into this game without the services of Ross Hayes, Craig Bowman and Alan Patterson however they welcomed back Aaron Cheevers to the line up. The home side had been on a decent run of late and came into the game on the back of a good win last week and as United found to their cost they were revelling in the confidence that it had brought. Indeed Ardstraw went ahead on the half hour mark however this spurred United on and having enjoyed a fair bit of possession they finally equalised when David Kelly was placed in the right spot at the back post to head home.
The second half was a very cagey affair with both teams exercising caution however United got the breakthrough midway through the half when a Johnny Hunter free kick was placed into the edge of the six yard area and an Ardstraw defender put the ball into his own net under pressure.
The home team pressed for an equaliser but the United defence in which Boal, Carlisle, Herron were outstanding was giving nothing away backed up by competent handling from goalkeeper Brian McMullan.
This week United return to league action against Sirocco Works at the Millbridge with a 2pm kick off.