United’s five match winning run came to an end at sixth placed Thackley on Saturday but they still maintained their unbeaten form with a well deserved point against the last team to defeat them in the NCEL Premier Division. Despite the goal-less outcome, it was United who created the better chances during the ninety minutes, though it was the defences that were the prominent feature of the game.

Absentees and injuries forced a significant re-shuffle for the management and four of the club’s teenagers were included in the squad that travelled to West Yorkshire.

Kev Mabon, Adam Campbell, Martin Bowles, Micky Allsop, Shaun Rickford and Chris Murdock were all unavailable for selection, resulting in full debuts for George Morgan and sixteen year-old Michael Armstrong in a right sided midfield role. Kelvin Mushambi partnered Morgan in a strike pairing and Paul Gamble returned from injury to fulfil a central defensive position alongside Dean Whiley. Harry Lord was also given a starting chance and Elliot King was named as one of the substitutes.

With so many changes it was encouraging that United found the confidence to start the game in such a positive manner. Armstrong displayed great coolness for one so young and Morgan was able to impose him-self on the game from the outset. Mushambi and Michael Martin both worked hard throughout the first half and were able to link up effectively in an effort to create an opening.

After twenty-minutes Mushambi eluded his marker on the right and provided a clear chance for Martin, whose effort sailed over the bar from close range and at the other end, ‘keeper Simon Baldwin produced the save of the game following a free-kick. Late in the half, Morgan showed great strength to beat a Thackley defender before firing an effort wide.

In the second half, United were once more proving hard to break down, with Gamble and Whiley both producing fine individual performances to thwart the threat from Thackley, and in particular twenty-five goal Matt Mathers. Full backs Paul McGinty and Gary Breach were also adding valuable contributions in front of the impressive Baldwin, who’s handling throughout proved exceptional.

During the final quarter of the contest, Martin and Mushambi each tested Matt Convey in the Thackley goal and Harry Lord nearly squeezed an effort in at the near post.
The home side did create one late opportunity themselves but substitute Matt Hall fired wide when he found himself in a good position on the right.

King was introduced with fifteen minutes or so remaining for his second substitute appearance in recent weeks and the change enabled Nathan Parker to get forward more frequently in the latter stages of the game. Following a counter-attack, the midfielder nearly produced a winning effort, which would have been fair reward for a truly sterling performance.

The result ensured that United, with leaders Farsley, are the current form side in the Premier Division and they have now only conceded one league goal in their last six games. Equally impressive is an away record that has resulted in Baldwin only being beaten once in the last seven league games away from Grange Park.

During an afternoon that saw some valuable individual performances from Dean Whiley, Paul Gamble, Michael Martin and Simon Baldwin it was encouraging to see four players who are Under 19 playing their part in a game that could clearly have seen United capitulate with so many of the players who have been part of the recent good run missing from the squad that travelled to the Bradford area.

The two forthcoming home games should again test United’s resolve, with the Bridlington game on Tuesday the obvious hazard. However, the meeting with Liversedge on Saturday at Grange Park will be as difficult as any in recent weeks. When United met the team from West Yorkshire last November, the whole club had an air about the place that made you believe that they were resigned to their fate, with relegation a foregone conclusion to their season.

An upturn in form since the turn of the year has seen them produce some very decent results and they defeated fourth placed Lincoln Moorlands on Saturday whilst United were taking their point at Thackley. Liversedge have also beaten Bridlington Town twice since mid-February