United under-11s claim Shield final spot

Although not at a their best, they still did enough to overcome a determined home side to progress to their first and hopefully not last showpiece occasion this season.

Lurgan Town 2, United 3: United reached the season’s first final with this determined performance.

Conceding the neutral venue was no object to the Braid boys as they now look forward to the New Years Day showpiece and hope to return with some more silverware to add to last season’s league title.

United have performed better on occasion this season but were still too strong on the day for a Lurgan side who sit above them in the league.

Early pressure led to Lorenzo Dawkins showing good technique to volley against the bar from 20 yards. Dawkins was not to be denied, however, and after 15 minutes he fired in following good work from O’Mahony down the right.

Leon Carley was in charge in midfield as United continued to press,their play continually breaking down in the final third. Full backs Lewis Allison and Anthony Smith were Uniteds best performers in the first half nullifying the Lurgan threat.

As half time approached Lee O’Brien broke clear on the left and cut inside, being fouled as he prepared to shoot. The resulting penalty was fired in by O’Brien to double the Sky blue lead.

Into the second half and United rested on their laurels somewhat as Lurgan began to press. An uncharacteristic slip from the normally reliable Mark Wilkinson brought the scores back to 2-1.

Wilkinson soon made up for this however as he quickly saved twice soon after to keep Lurgan at bay. The Galgorm boy could do nothing about the long range equaliser soon after however and the Lurgan boys were level.

United still had the bulk of possession though and Andrew Heaney was making some good surging runs down the right as they continued pressing for the winner.

With five minutes to go the ball broke to O’Brien who raced clear and stayed composed to knock the ball just inside the post for the final say.

Anthony Smith for his positional play and tacking was best for United as they now look forward to Shankill Juniors in the final.