United pick up three points at Abbey Park

Stagecoach Superleague

Division One

AFTER last week’s win over Arthurlie, United continued their winning way with a decisive victory at Abbey Park.

In what turned out to be a really competitive game, United only once allowed the Buffs to get any sniff of a comeback when reducing United’s 2-0 lead to one goal of a lead when they netted on the stroke of half time.

The pitch was dry and hard and both sides played at a rip roaring pace. It was end to end stuff with both sides willing to attack and United’s attacking style got them off the mark with 16 minutes on the clock. United gained a corner and Gary McClymont’s kick flew into the far top left corner of the net, with keeper Wilson given no chance to save. Using the ball well United kept up their attacking mode and although the home side attacked, Andy Dearie and his back row were a match and more for them. Up front both McClymont and Watts took a bit of watching and Kevin Watts’ work was giving the home defence a lot to think about.

United increased their lead after 35 minutes when Robert Allan shot home a Morrison throw-in. With keeper Wilson and his defence at sea, the Buffs knew they had to get something back and right on half time Paul Morrison miskicked a pass back to keeper Buchanan and hit the ball for a corner. From the corner Buff’s Ian Fulton at the far post headed the ball home, making it 2-1 to United at half time.

The Buff’s opened the second half on attack having been bouyed up by their goal, but United’s defence mastered their efforts.

On 59 minutes United’s Watts broke through but was fouled and from McClymont’s freekick David Marsh headed over the Buffs bar. David McPhee then had a go and his shot flew past Wilson’s goal.

On the 70 minute mark United broke upfield. McClymont squared the ball into Kevin Watts in the clear but he was brought down trying to evade a tackle and the ball flew out of play.

The young centre was injured and had to be replaced by Gary Gibson. United still kept up their attacking and two minutes later Gary McClymont again put in a superb pass for Gibson and once clear, he slipped the ball past keeper Wilson to put United 3-1 ahead. A lead they were not in the mood to give away. United did score again but from an offside position but in the end ran out worthy winners and gained three valuable points.

A superb win for a reinvigorated squad and let’s hope they can now recapture their prewinter form.

KILWINNING RANGERS: Wilson, McDermot, Maxwell, Fulton, Holden, McGregor, Lewis, Mitchell, M. Hart, Ferris, M. Fulton. Subs: Anderson, Bradley, Grant, J. Hart, Ritchie.

CUMBERNAULD UNITED: Buchanan, Mushet, Morrison, Marsh, Dearie, Renwick, Allan, Thomson, Watts, McPhee, McClymont. Subs: Barclay, Gibson, McNally, Brown, Steel, Hayman, McLaughlin.

Next Saturday, April 2, United play Renfrew in the second round of the D&D Magazine Central League Cup at Guy’s Meadow, kick off as usual at 2pm. If it’s a draw after 90 minutes, the winner will be decided in penalty shoot-out.