When will tide turn for United?

Division 1

THE big question the United supporters is asking is when are things going to change?

Three defeats out of the last four games with one drawn, now see’s United sitting second bottom of the division. And this game against East Kilbride certainly doesn’t look as though things are going to change very quickly.

Key players James Brown, Kenny Jarvis, Jim Steele and Ross Wayman, all out with injury, certainly are missed and the team balance seems to be quite certainly missing since they have been sidelined.

The defeat here on Saturday against East Kilbride showed this up. The players worked hard but after a promising start they allowed East Kilbride into the game, be bossed about and lost three goals that good defending would have prevented.

East Kilbride took the lead when after 17 minutes their left winger was left unmarked and running in shot from angled position past United’s Dave Buchanan.

Then a mistake by John Renwick whose header back to the keeper was short and McClung ran on and lobbed Dave Buchanan stranded in no man’s land to net number two. It was East Kilbride now in control who had the ability to boss United who just had no answer to give.

After 28 minutes defensive error allowed Orr to gather the ball 18 yards out and blast the ball into the net to virtually seal the points. So, at half time United trooped off 3-0 down.

The second half was really just a stroll for East Kilbride. United did play better but just could not get their passing game together and as a consequence never posed any great threat to the visitors. Playing David Marsh in midfield took a bit of stability out of the home defence but with key players sidelined, manager Danny Drew has a real problem.

Next week United are away on league business to Renfrew; kick off 2pm.

UNITED: Buchanan, Allan, Morrison, Mushit, Dearie, Marsh, Renwick, Thomson, Watt, McClymont, Barclay.