United entertained relegation strugglers at the Millbridge on Saturday afternoon and despite an unconvincing performance they came away with a 2-0 victory.
For most of the first half the initiative was taken by UUJ who had a number of experienced players in their line-up and it took a disciplined performance in defence from Crawford, Hayes, Majury and Brashaw to keep them out. As the first half progressed United’s midfield of Kelly, Hunter, Wilson and Carberry managed to get more possession which in turn gave Ian McMullan and Matthew Shaw a few half chances with McMullan going close with a spectacular overhead kick. Matthew Shaw who has been in excellent form gave United the lead on the half hour mark when he took a pass from Hunter on the left hand side of the penalty area before placing his past the advancing goalkeeper into the net.
In the second half it was fairly well more of the same with UUJ pressing and United not really firing on all cylinders however Shaw gave the home team breathing space with a superb second goal. Good work on the right from Gavin Crawford saw the ball crossed over to the left hand side of the penalty area and he despatched the ball into the goal with a strong left foot shot that gave the UUJ keeper no chance. Alex Miller and Dee Stewart entered the fray for the last third of the match and they worked hard all over the pitch to maintain United’s grip on the three points. Goalkeeper Bryan McMullan who had a generally quiet afternoon was called into action late in the game producing a number of outstanding saves to ensure a clean sheet and United’s steady climb up the league table.