United take top spot

Blantyre Victoria 0Cumbernauld United 2Stagecoach Central District League Division One

UNITED regained top spot in the division by beating Vics and by St Anthony only drawing at Lesmahagow on Saturday.

With the weather having relented allowing most fixtures to go ahead the condition of the Castle Park surface was very heavy and cut up in various areas. The match threw up a few talking points, directed mostly at the match referee for some dodgy decisions. He infuriated the Vics management team by awarding a penalty to United in the 61st minute and sending off both Vics keeper Alan Colquhoun and skipper Brian Clancy for protesting his decision, one that appeared to be unjustified.

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United controlled the game from the start and although Vics tried hard, United's defensive set up kept them under control. Ball control and passing were a bit difficult due to the soft conditions with United the better side in controlling the ball, and due to this took the lead after 27 minutes. A good driving move into the heart of the home defence saw Kenny Jarvis lay the ball on for Stuart McNally to net from eight yards with the Vics defence nowhere.

United came close again when Jarvis fired a free kick just wide on 43 minutes. Just on the half time whistle Vics should have squared it but Buchanan dived full length to divert an Espener effort to safety.

Vics opened the second half on attack and should again have squared the game but the effort from Cochrane hit the post and went clear. Vics were on top for the first 15 minutes of the half, then it all went topsy turvy for them when United pushed upfield and as McNally went for a cross, both he and keeper had some contact and the Ref awarded United a debatable penalty. The protests from the Vics players was pretty vociferous and once it cooled, both keeper Colquhoun and skipper Clancy were red carded.

United's Kenny Jarvis took the spot kick and made no mistake beating the sub keeper easily. The points were now tied up and United played the rest of the game out with some ease and although creating a number of chances, had the game in the bag. Two minutes from time Vics' Batchelor, already booked, got a second yellow for over protesting a decision and was duly sent off reducing Vics to eight men.

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Obviously a good away win for United in imperfect conditions, but they seem to have kept their momentum and on a better surface we will find out if this is the case. All worked very hard and that all important will to win is still there. Manager John Queen knows that a lot of hard work still has to be done and he won't rest till he achieves his goal.

United play host to second-placed St. Anthony's this Saturday, in what should be a cracker of a match. Kick-off at Guy's Meadow is at 2 p.m.

BLANTYRE VICTORIA: Colquhoun, Doherty, McGurgan, Smith, McGuinness, Batchelor, Fletcher, Glancy, Espener, Cochrane, McAloon.

CUMBENRAULD UNITED: Buchanan, McPhee, McConville, Marsh, Deerie, Jarvis, Brown, Gibson, Mills, Steele, McNally.

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United fans John Hamilton and John Kirk gave their views after the game.

"We were never in any serious trouble. We played well considering the time we have been laid off. Young Marsh was quite the star man again, never lost a ball the whole game," said John Hamilton.

And John Kirk added: "It would be hard for any two teams on that surface to play any decent football. The park was heavy. I'm really looking forward to this Saturday - it will be a great game and people should make a point of coming along to see it."