United bounce back for draw

Dunipace 2Cumbernauld United 2Surridge Sectional League CupSection 8

AFTER last week's 3-2 defeat at Kilsyth, United had to get something positive from this game and hopefully lay the foundations for their forthcoming league campaign in the super league first division.

The outlook after five minutes didn't auger well when Dunipace sliced open the United defence and McCafferty, although pushed wide, rounded keeper Buchanan and slid the ball across the goal. Unluckily the ball came to David Marsh and was deflected into the United net.

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Ally Brown had a chance to level five minutes later, but shot weakly at keeper Hunter.

Pace were playing some slick football with accurate passing and at this stage the United midfield found it hard going and a lot of Pace pressure was self-imposed. Near the end of the half United started to apply themselves and Ally Brown was twice thwarted by keeper Hunter blocking his efforts. Pace were well on top and the United support were a bit sceptical about United's chances for the second half.

United started the second period with McNally replacing an out of sorts Robert Allan and within four minutes drew level. A long ball out of defence found Gary McClymont and the striker ran on, rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home to equalise. United seemed to come alive and with Ally Brown and Jarvis posing problems for Pace on the wide areas, United took the game to Pace and now looked a threat.

After 60 minutes Jarvis was bundled off the ball in the Pace box but Ref Napier waved play on, a wrong decision.

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The home side kept plugging away and took the lead on 67 minutes. Gaining a free kick wide left the ball was floated in and Mullen was alert enough to get in front of United defence to head into the net.

Was it curtains for United? No, a 70th minute equaliser from McClymont put United back in the game. United pressed from then on for a winner and began to show a bit of last season's fighting spirit that is something they will need come the league campaign.

On Wednesday it's off to Kirkintilloch and a win here would be a huge boost to them, but let's hope the team performance is good at this bedding in period before next Saturday's league campaign starts.

DUNIPACE: Hunter, Brown, Buchanan, Reid, Oates, McCafferty, Wright, Grant, Pincombe, Cairney, Mullen. Subs: Donald, Moodie, Kane, Sibbald, McPhail, Henderson.

CUMBERNAULD: Buchanan, Rennick, Elliot, J. Brown, Marsh, Jarvis, McPhee, Allan, McClymont, Steele, A. Brown. Subs: McNally, Wayman, Caldwell, Neil, McLaughlin.

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