Revenge for United

CONDITIONS were pretty bad as both sides had to combat fierce wind conditions and United won both contests against Bon Accord and the wind. Yes, United mastered the conditions in comparison to the home side.

Having lost 3-2 to Shotts earlier in the season at Guys Meadow, United made up for their only league defeat by convincingly beating the home side to stretch their top of the table lead in their promotion chasing run.

Kicking against the strong wind in the first half, United showed more threat than Shotts who had one near effort in 15 minutes when McLaughlin headed a cross over the bar.

Seven minutes later both Gibson and Mills of United were beaten to the ball by keeper Brown as United put pressure on the home side. Shotts kept forcing the pace but overhit most of their forward passes and any cross balls they put in whereas United played it cool and calmly trying to keep the ball on the ground.

Right on half time Jim Steele hit a free kick that keeper Brown punched away for a corner but the Ref blew for half time before a corner could be taken.

The first ten minutes of the second half saw United pass Shotts into defence. Danny Burns first had an effort put past for corner. United keeper Buchanan then forced a corner from a long freekick and then Mills turned to face goal and hit a vicious effort just wide of the Shotts goal.

The home side tried to get their momentum going but United's back four were alert to anything they tried.

The breakthrough for United came after 65 minutes when a clearance out to Phil Barclay on left wing was crossed in to Kenny Jarvis who cracked a rasping shot past keeper Brown to put United 1-0 up and well in the driving seat.

United kept up the pressure on the home defence with both Mills and Burns proving a handful for the home defence. The pressure paid off on the 75th minute when Gary Gibson was downed in the penalty box by Shotts' Ferguson who was red carded for his misdemeanour. Kenny Jarvis took the penalty and coolly dispatched the ball past Brown to make it 2-0 to United.

So that was that. Three points to a more positive United side and encouraging to see Kenny Jarvis regain some of his earlier form. The whole team played well and Davie Buchanan had an easier afternoon than he expected.

This week United are on league business when they play Dunipace tonight (Wednesday) at home and then away to Thorniewood on Saturday, kick off 2 p.m.

SHOTTS BON ACCORD: Brown, Finnigan, Millar, Fleming, Ferguson, Boyle, McKeever, McStay, McLaughlin, Duffy, Wallace.

CUMBERNAULD UNITED: Buchanan, Hill, Brown, Marsh, Dearie, Barclay, Jarvis, Gibson, Mills, Steele, Burns.