United drop five points

Division One

WHAT a week for United and coach Ian Currie. The big fellow must have been fuming to see his charges drop five points at this crucial point of the season.

First, last Monday, it was a last minute counter that saw Renfrew snatch the three points when a draw looked on the cards.

Then on Saturday it was a penalty award that gave Hurlford a share of the spoils that United should have won after controlling the game and virtually passing up on at least two great opportunities to seal the game and gain the valuable extra two points.

On a sloping Blair Park United were unlucky not to net after six minutes when David Marsh converted with a Thomson corner and thundered a powerful header off the underside of the crossbar. With a field breeze it was a bit difficult to control the ball at times due to the slope and fiery surface, but United took control early on and put pressure on the home side. After 20 minutes Watts headed Jarvis’s corner over bar. United then won two consecutive corners and Marsh again was unlucky at the second when sliding in, just failed to connect the ball properly and his effort want narrowly wide of goal.

Next a Thomson freekick just grazed the crossbar with the keeper clawing the air frantically to get to the ball. So, 0-0 at half time.

United finally netted after 52 minutes when they ripped open the home defence with some good football. Kenny Jarvis timed his pass to Phil Barclay perfectly, Phil controlled the ball and from 15 yards snapped the ball into the net.

United were controlling the game now and both Watts and Gibson had the opportunity to increase United’s tally but that didn’t happen. With the game approaching 90 minutes the points were in the bag, then an error in defence by United saw Ref McNeillie point to the spot as a Hurlford attacker looked to have slipped when tackled. Sub Stevenson made no mistake and netted from the spot,

Next Saturday it’s a must win situation when United take on promotion candidates Girvan at Guys Meadow. The three points are crucial and with five games left United have to show the determination and grit that will take them out of the bottom four.

HURLFORD UNITED: Menzies, Frame, Doolan, Lawless, Minior, Wilson, McKinnon, Nimmo, Cunningham, Stewart, Walker. Subs: Kerr, McMillan, Russell, Sinclair, Stevenson, Patterson, Hartley.

CUMBERNAULD UNITED: Buchanan, Hayman, McLay (T), Marsh, Dearie, Jarvis, Brown, Barclay, Watts, Renwick, Thomson. Subs: McClymont, Gibson, Mushet, Burns, McPhee, McDaid.