retired_destiny1124

19.10.02
St.Mirren (2) Dundee United (4)
St.Mirren- C.Wreh 47-P A.Ormerod 68
Dundee United- C.Miller 2 J.Buchan 13 R.Youssef 33 T.Venetis 76-P
MOM- Charlie Miller, Dundee United

"What a strange match," said Faramir as he shook his head. "First Thomas (Myhre) is sent off on the questionable call in the area, then he sends Simon Lappin from them off on a questionable call in the area."

"Equally unusual officiating," asked Gond with a smile. "Still, it is going to hurt losing Myhre on the inevitable supsension."

"Alan (Combe) will be moving up for the meantime."

"I guessed that."

"It was a good offensive effort in the first half. With that cushion, we could afford the couple of goals they managed to score on Paul (Gallacher)."

"Yes, but it was nice to regain the cushion when Tassos (Venetis) converted the penalty," stated Gond.

***

26.10.02
Dundee United (4) Aberdeen (0)
Dundee United- T.Venetis 42-P M.Kerr 45,52 S.Iversen 81
Aberdeen- None
MOM- Mark Kerr, Dundee United

"The complexion of the match certainly changed when Derek Whyte pushed Mark (Kerr) in the area. Once Tassos (Venetis) converted the penalty- it seemed all the pressure was off," commented Gond.

"And we were off to the races at that point as well. We played superbly after we got the lead. Up until then, Alan (Combe) did some excellent work in net to keep the clean sheet. It was good to see him step right in and play well- despite not being on the senior side before now this season."

"Mark really had a stellar match. Hopefully, we won't start seeing all the bids on him too."

Faramir shrugged, "Our squad is drawing a lot of interest from big clubs right now- we are going to see more bids on players whether we want to or not."

retired_destiny1124

2.11.02
Dundee United (0) Motherwell (2)
Dundee United- None
Motherwell- K.Twaddle 64 S.Nicholas 79
MOM- Ange Oueifio, Motherwell

"That was certainly a poor exhibition on our part. We really didn't do much right in the match," flatly stated Faramir.

"They wanted the match more than our boys did, they really had the jump on us the entire match. When we did get a chance- Brown was there in net."

"This is one time when we deserve whatever crap that Sammy Gohl dishes out."

Motherwell Smothers Dundee United
by Sammy Gohl
Motherwell, looking every bit the title contender that many expected of them this season, gave Dundee United a thrashing at Tannadice Park in front of a vocally restive crowd. Two second half goals punctuated the win and one has to wonder how upset the Dundee United board will be at such a dismal performance.

***

9.11.02
Dundee United (2) Hibs (1)
Dundee United- S.Iversen 51 Butra 90
Hibs- M.McCulloch 66
MOM- Mark McCulloch, Hibs

"Butra snatched the win for us, but I thought he didn't have his usual electric pace out there today," stated Gond.

"I think all the bumping going on affected him- he isn't the biggest person. The entire match was very physical today and we were fortunate to take three points from it."

"Steffen (Iversen) continues to impress me. We really do have a class scorer up front now- and it should help."

retired_destiny1124

He walked through the quickening darkness, the sunset now providing only its dusky glow to the familiar surroundings of the path. The autumn night seemed almost still with anticipation, as though it sensed something would bring the chill wind momentarily.

Musing to himself he considered his two previous meetings with the old man. How could he have not even learned his name? That seemed odd, yet he knew there was a strangeness about the old man that went beyond normal reckoning. Despite not knowing his name, he somehow found he trusted the old man and his promise that he would meet him again when he was able.

Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks. The opening was there again. He had looked for it night after night on his regular vigil, but tonight it was here. Would the old man be there? With a slight bit of trepidation he strode toward the opening and entered once again.

"I knew you would be here," a soft, yet firm voice stated. "Who are you?"

A bit stunned, Faramir realized the speaker was a woman, a young woman. "Who are you? Why are you here?" he asked.

"I asked you first," she stated firmly.

Glancing around and realizing that she was alone, that there was no old man this time, he took his time answering. "I am called Faramir," he finally said in a low tone.

"Welcome then Mr. Faramir. I knew I was meeting someone, but not who I would be meeting."

Seeing her seated patiently waiting, he realized that she wanted him to sit. He sat upon the same log he remembered from his last visit. "I answered your question. Now could you please tell me who you are?"

"I'm Allye Owen."

"My pleasure then Allye, but why are you here?"

She sighed and shook her head, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

He chuckled, "Try me."

Staring intently at him, as if to see if he was making fun of her, she finally said, "My waking dreams told me to come to this place."

Thoughtfully, he rubbed his chin as he considered her statement. "These dreams wouldn't happen to have featured an older man, with a grey beard would they?"

She stood up staring in shock at him, "How did you know?"

He shook his head at the comment, "It was just a guess."

"It was more than that. I sense that much in your comment. Still, I will tell you about the dream- it seems it was in the heavens for me to meet you here." She glanced at him almost shyly, "That is if you want to listen to them."

"Why wouldn't I want to hear?"

Looking downcast, "You mean you don't know about me?"

"I am sorry, but I know nothing of you. We haven't met before have we?"

"No, I am certain we haven't- unless somewhere other than this time." Now holding her chin up a bit proudly and defiantly, "I am known as the crazy woman by more than a few. My ancestors were druids and seers, and I have the ability..." her voice dropped into a quiet whisper "the ability to see things and foretell...well, sometimes..." her voice drifted off into a tortured murmur. "Who am I fooling? I play at being a seer- a fortune teller- but I can't actually see the future."

"Why are you here then?"

"I told you. A waking dream told me to come to this place. An old man saying quietly to me, "Take a walk to the hollow, you will be met."

He quietly regarded her in the dwindling light, "You aren't crazy. I am familiar with this old man too. I don't know what he has in mind- but it is obvious he wanted us to meet, though I can't tell you why."

DANGER!

The thought crossed unbidden in his mind, as he grabbed up a stout branch laying on the ground. She too was on her feet glancing around at the shadows.

"Allye, did you sense someone warning you?"

"Yes."

Something swept out of the shadows as Faramir and Allye stood more or less back to back at the edge of the circle. Without being able to explain it, Faramir realized something-someone was controlling his actions and his use of the branch as a weapon felt entirely fluid and natural. As the shape hurtled at him, he whipped the blunt edge where the branch had broken off and was rewarded with a muffled gasp as the shape collapsed in a heap. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her whip out an extending baton and swat one of the shapes over a log. He whirled around and caught another shape with the pointed end of the stick and it dropped as another muddled shape on the ground. Looking around he was in time to see Allye lash out with her foot and drop another bundle.

As they gasped for breath, the fire in the circle behind them suddenly flared to life and there was a general anguished
scream that came from the surrounding shadows. They sensed whatever had attacked them had been sent fleeing by the sudden appearance of the light. Even the shapes on the ground had vanished with its arrival.

"What were those?" gasped Allye.

"Something of the dark," muttered Faramir.

"How do you know that?"

He shook his head, "I don't fully know. I think it's time for us to leave this place though- let's get to someplace with a bit more life."

retired_destiny1124

They were seated in the corner booth of the pub. Though not brightly lit, it still warmed their spirits after the encounter in the woods.

She looked urgently at Faramir, "Do you know what is going on?"

He shrugged, "Not really Allye. I know a bit more than you, but I am also in the dark on what it all means."

Staring pensively at him she urged, "Tell me what you do know, maybe we can make some sense of this."

Leaning back against the booth, he looked at her, "My turn to make you think I am crazy then. I think I am receiving someone's thoughts. I can't tell from where, but from what little I have seen it is someplace not of this earth."

"Could you be getting thoughts from your ancestors?"

"What?"

"I have heard that sometimes people can get thoughts sent years before by their ancestors."

"Where did you hear that- the tabloid press?" he asked with sarcasm.

Stung into silence by the rebuke, she remained staring at him.

He closed his eyes and then sighed, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you Allye. Look, I believe the thoughts may come from the imagination of my brother and I- they seem to be of Middle Earth."

"Lord of the Rings? JRR?" she exclaimed excitedly, "they are favorites of mine."

He nodded mutely.

"You said you think they are somebody else's thoughts. Why do you think that?"

"Because I have the oddest sensation of looking at my memories and now seeing them differently. They aren't the same memories that I had of my imagination playing with my brother. They are much more real and vivid in my thoughts now. Strange things have happened to me as well in the last year. For example meeting you tonight and fighting with a branch like a quarterstaff- when I have never actually fought with anything but my fists. By the way, how did you learn to fight like that?"

"I was picked on too much when younger, I got tired of it and took many, many self-defense classes. I can hold my own and have had to occasionally since then. Seers are generally seen as easily picked upon crackpots, I have had to crack a few heads now and then to change that perception."

He shook his head in slight amazement, "I don't think I was sent to protect you then- maybe the other way around."

She hunched her shoulders, "Was yours like a waking dream too? Like I described?"

"It seemed much more real than a waking dream."

"You told me that whatever attacked us- was of the dark. How did you know that?"

"I don't know. I just know it- sense it- somehow."

"Here, give me your palm," she stated.

"I thought you told me you weren't a real seer?"

"I'm not- well, I don't think so at least. But after tonight, I am not as sure as I was."

He offered his palm up to her over the table.

She took his larger hand in both hers and then took her right hand and traced it along the creases of his weather worn palm.

Almost as if bitten, she suddenly withdrew her hands. She stared at him, her breathing gasping, "That has *never* happened before."

"What happened Allye?"

"I saw something when tracing the lines," she shook her head as if to clear the vision.

"What did you see?" he asked with some urgency in his voice.

"I saw you. I also saw a shadow you. It seemed like someone perched just over your shoulder looking on. The shadow you seemed to smile to reassure me somehow."

retired_destiny1124

"Lady?"

"Yes, Lord?"

"I was seen."

"By whom?" the alarm in her voice was evident.

"I do not know. It was across the curtain. A young lady it seemed. She stared at me. I did not want to frighten or threaten her- all I could do was smile. Somehow she sees the real me here- even though she lies on the other side of the curtain."

"This is all very strange Lord. I have no knowledge of what might be happening. I was worried that somehow something might be pulling your mind across the curtain, but I can sense that this is not what is happening."

"I could not talk to her, but she does see me there. Could it be that like you- she can see into other's minds?"

"That is possible Lord. We know nothing of the world on the other side of the curtain- you seem to be the only one who can really sense anything actually beyond the curtain."

***

"Are you OK Allye?"

"Yes, it just startled me is all."

"You asked me how I knew those *things* were of the dark. I wonder if the 'shadow' me is somehow providing me knowledge - and maybe helping me somehow."

She looked thoughtful, "That would explain why it seemed to merge with you as I kept looking. As soon as I wasn't touching you- I couldn't see it anymore."

"It would also explain some of the strange memories I have. Maybe I am sharing my mind with this apparition."

"Someone else- the Old Man- set me on the path to see you. It could be that this was why- to make you more aware of your 'shadow'."

"How did you get to the hollow anyway? I have been there twice before and never have been able to find it while searching other times."

"I just walked along the path that the Old Man set in my mind. When I got to the hollow, I knew it was the place he had intended me to be when he told me that 'I would be met'."

He stared at the dim table lamp for a moment, "I expected to see the Old Man again when I entered the hollow. I wasn't prepared to meet you."

"You *met* the Old Man?"

"Like I said, I have been to the hollow twice before- and each time the Old Man was there. He certainly seemed real enough when I was there talking to him. He hinted that I had to make some kind of journey."

She stared a hole through him, "Look. I told you about me- about how I have pretended to be a seer, pretended to be a daughter of druid ancestors- this is the first time I have ever had anything happen that remotely resembled what I would expect a real seer to experience."

Plaintively she asked, "Please let me come along."

He looked a bit surprised, "Come along on what? I don't have a clue what is going on. The Old Man wouldn't tell me any more than that."

"I don't care. Just promise me that I can come along on whatever journey you are taking."

Snorting, he stated, "Look Allye. You don't even know me. You don't know what journey I might be taking. I don't even know what journey I might be taking."

Stubbornly, she cut him off, "You are the nexus. I know you will make the journey."

Suspicion now clouding his face, he hissed, "What did you call me?"

Startled by the sudden change is his demeanor she stopped, "You are the nexus."

"Where did you hear that?" he demanded.

"I didn't hear it. I see it. I can't explain it, but I knew somehow when I touched you and saw the 'shadow' that you were the nexus. The nexus is something real seers can routinely sense- so you have to take my feeling that you are that with a grain of salt- since I still have little claim to being a real seer."

He relaxed into a frown, "You appear to be on your way to becoming a real seer Allye. The Old Man told me that I am the nexus."

They both looked down, lost in their own thoughts.

retired_destiny1124

16.11.02
Rangers (2) Dundee United (0)
Rangers- T.Flo 47-P B.Ferguson 54
Dundee United- None
MOM- Stefan Klos

"I think Thomas (Myhre) is starting to get a bad rep with the referees. To get sent off on a borderline call wasn't what I expected when the he blew the whistle," sighed Faramir.

"It isn't much use worrying about it now- but if they don't make that call, we might well have turned this match around. We had a lot of pressure on Stefan Klos and if he hadn't played so well, the result could have been better for us," replied Barry Gond.

"True. For the most part I was pleased with our offensive effort today. Still, it was a loss we couldn't really afford- given how hot they have been lately."

Rangers Roll Past Dundee United
by Sammy Gohl
Rangers used the aggressiveness of Dundee United keeper Thomas Myhre against him as they encouraged him and he earned his 2nd redcard in the last 5 League matches when he took down Mickael Mols in the area. Rangers used the penalty and a booming blast from Barry Ferguson as they vaulted into first place in the SPL on the basis of their 2-0 win.

***

23.11.02
Livingston (2) Dundee United (4)
Livingston- S.Whalen 17,32
Dundee United- D.Hannah 70 S.Iversen 77 M.Kerr 80 T.Venetis 87-P
MOM- Mark Kerr, Dundee United

"Superb win for us. To play as poorly as we did in the first half and early 2nd half- and be down 2-0- it was a great match to win," cheerfully commented Gond.

"Once we figured out how to put the clamps on Stephen Whalen, the match swung back our way- he was a one-man show for them today and based on that performance, I bet Celtic or 'Gers grabs him up quick."

"Once we got that first goal, the floodgates seemed to open- it was like the pressure was off and they relaxed and executed some nice passing sequences."

"Combe disappointed me again though- I thought he might build on his other good performance- instead he was out-of-position on both goals."

***

27.11.02
Dundee United (4) St.Johnstone (1)
Dundee United- A.Barsom 11,80 M.Keith 33,37-P
St.Johnstone- T.Lovenkrands 24
MOM- Abgar Barsom, Dundee United

"It is good to see our players stepping up and filling in for the regulars, when given the opportunity," said a pleased Faramir. "Everyone is contributing and that is the way you survive a long season like this..."

"Abgar (Barsom) was excellent today- he really controlled the flow of the entire match. Marino (Keith) also deserves a lot of credit- the first time he has played in over a month and he chips in with a pair of goals."

retired_destiny1124

30.11.02
Celtic (1) Dundee United (1)
Celtic- P.Rudden 20
Dundee United- M.Kerr 68
MOM- Mark Kerr, Dundee United

"That damm Douglas," frothed Gond.

"My sentiments exactly. I thought we had him beat at least 4 times in the second half after we evened the match. Instead he made brilliant work on every one of them."

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * Scottish Premier Division - Saturday 30th November 2002********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2002/3 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Rangers 19 7 2 0 22 8 4 4 2 22 17 39 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Dundee Utd 19 6 1 2 21 9 5 4 1 25 16 38 3rd Aberdeen 19 7 1 2 29 14 4 2 3 14 17 36 4th Motherwell 18 4 2 3 13 13 5 3 1 16 11 32 5th Dundee 19 7 1 2 20 12 2 4 3 11 15 32 6th Celtic 18 6 3 0 27 8 2 3 4 16 15 30 7th Hibs 19 4 4 1 25 17 3 0 7 19 25 25 8th Livingston 19 3 2 4 15 17 2 3 5 10 21 20 9th Hearts 19 4 4 2 19 14 0 2 7 6 26 18 10th St. Mirren 19 3 4 3 15 14 1 1 7 14 22 17 11th Kilmarnock 19 1 3 6 11 27 1 3 5 12 23 12 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12th St. Johnstone 19 1 3 5 14 20 1 1 8 8 23 10 </pre>

retired_destiny1124

4.12.02
Dundee United (5) Hibs (0) League Cup Quarterfinal
Dundee United- D.Hannah 28 S.McDonald 36 T.Venetis 50,77 Butra 74
Hibs- None
MOM- Tassos Venetis, Dundee United

"A complete rout. After all the problems Hibs have given us over the past two years- they sure didn't show up to play today," said Gond with a shake of his head in amazement.

"To be honest, they looked pretty tired. I think they have had to stick with their regulars starting a lot more than we have."

"Still, we were without Charlie (Miller), Danny (Griffin) and Billy (McKinlay) due to injuries- we were even money with them going into the match."

"It just proves where depth will get you. Our depth is really the reason we are doing as well as we have this season."

***

Dundee United Signs Morkore
Dundee United today announced the signing on free of veteran Faroe Island National midfielder Allen Morkore. Morkore, a 31 yr old DMRC was pursued by at least a dozen clubs, but chose Dundee United because of a chance to join a successful club and help make a difference in League and hopefully future European play.

***

7.12.02
Dundee United (3) Hearts (1)
Dundee United- M.Kerr 16 A.Barsom 55 M.Nicholls 80
Hearts- S.Simmons 50
MOM- Abgar Barsom, Dundee United

"For once we finally figured out a way to solve Antti Niemi!" smiled Gond.

"I wasn't sure we were going to be able to, after that first half he had. How much did we outshoot them by?"

Gond glanced down at the stat sheet, "19-4 for the match."

"That about sums it up- it was a good performance by everyone on our side today."

***

"Only the top clubs are left," said Gond reading the results in the newspaper. "Rangers and Celtic both dumped their opponents easily in the League Cup Quarters last night."

"Hopefully, we face one of them in the Finals- if we can get by Aberdeen in the Semis."

***

"Why? Why did you sell him?" asked Gond with a tone of disbelief in his voice.

"Two reasons. First, he is 33 and we weren't going to sign him to a new contract. Second, I found out that he was feeding Sammy Gohl inside information on the club."

"Ouch. Ok, I understand now- but he had played well for us this season."

"We should be fine with David (Hannah) and Jamie (Fullarton) to cover the role."

Kilmarnock Buys McKinlay
Dundee United today announced the sale of veteran midfielder Billy McKinlay to Kilmarnock. The 33 yr old DMC reportedly was purchased for somewhere around a half million.

retired_destiny1124

14.12.02
Dundee United (1) St.Mirren (2)
Dundee United- C.Easton 68
St.Mirren- C.Wreh 71-P I.Nicholson 77
MOM- Tassos Venetis, Dundee United

"Grr, another frustrating penalty call. How many have we had this season?" asked Faramir of the ceiling.

Gond looked intently out the window. "I think that makes 5 so far this season. 2 for Myhre alone. It wasn't just the penalty, but the fact they took control of the match then..."

"Unfortunately true, we lost our composure today- me included."

St.Mirren Slams Dundee United
by Sammy Gohl
After a completely boring first half, St.Mirren yielded the lead to Dundee United and then stormed back to overtake them for the 2-1 win. The Tannadice fans again saw a disappointing effort by their poorly prepared side as David McCracken's vicious tackle in the area earned him a well deserved redcard and penalty for St.Mirren. Taking advantage of the plodding home side, the visitors struck for their 2nd goal in a 7 minute span to gain the win.

***

21.12.02
Dundee United (2) Kilmarnock (0)
Dundee United- M.Kerr 15 T.Venetis 24
Kilmarnock- None
MOM- Darren Moore, Dundee United

"Another solid performance for us," said a pleased Gond.

"Very workmanlike, we need that kind of effort every time out."

"Kerr drilled that shot, I guess I hadn't realized his shooting had improved that much."

"It has, but he is still more of a 'right time, right place' scorer for now. He will get better as he gets older."

***

26.12.02
Dundee (2) Dundee United (1)
Dundee- Beto 14 G.Nemsadze 45
Dundee United- S.McDonald 71
MOM- Mike Franks, Dundee

"A bad combination- abysmal shooting combined with a poor match by Thomas Myhre. That was what equaled a loss when we actually played well enough to win the match."

Gond rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Once Scally was sent off and then McDonald scored- I thought for certain we would even the match. That Franks really did a number on us down the stretch- we had quit missing the net, and he wasn't going to let us even it up."

"It was a loss we could ill afford with Rangers, Celtic and Aberdeen all winning."

Dundee Derby Win
by Sammy Gohl
Dundee won their Derby match up with Dundee United on the spectacular shot from Georgy Nemsadze and strong defensive work. The 2-1 win will no doubt leave the Dundee United Board wondering how the rest of the season will go for their overachieving side.

retired_destiny1124

"Just in time is what I would say, we have *so* many injuries on the backline," offered Gond.

"I was looking at having to start David Hannah at rightback against Aberdeen, but now that the deal has gone through. Best of all- this was a reinvestment of the money from the McKinlay sale- so McKinlay for him?"

Gond laughed, "Certainly a fair deal in my book."

Dundee United Purchases Schembri (II)
Dundee United completed their transfer purchase of Italian rightback Angelo Schembri (II) from Gattopardo for a reported cost of 500K. Schembri (II), a promising 18 yr old DRC, may step directly into the Dundee United starting lineup, as injuries to Danny Griffin, David McCracken, Jamie McCunnie, Jamie Buchan have decimated their backline.

***

31.12.02
Aberdeen (3) Dundee United (1)
Aberdeen- R.Winters 23 R.Anderson 35 H.Zerouali 63-P
Dundee United- Butra 65
MOM- Robbie Winters, Aberdeen

"That was a bad match. I am glad we have an 18 day break now, we need it to rest up the backline and get back to the basics on coverage," said an unhappy Faramir.

"They always give us problems, but today they controlled the midfield throughout the match. Even the lone goal we got was because of Butra's individual effort."

"Another match- another redcarded keeper- another penalty- this is getting rather monotonous."

Aberdeen Routs Dundee United
by Sammy Gohl
As Dundee United faint title hopes disappear, their Board must be wondering how this club could fall so far, so fast. Aberdeen crushed visiting Dundee United 3-1 in front of their delighted fans. Dundee United even threw 18 year old Angelo Schembri (II) into the fray, hoping to stem their tide of inferior backline play. The referees are obviously on to the Dundee United ploys now- as keeper Paul Gallacher was redcarded for pulling a player down in the area.