Tommy's Blunder!

United turned up at Shamrock Park Portadown, with what can only be described as a strange line-up. A back four of four central defenders in, Callaghan, Albert Watson, Simms and Haveron. Their midfield consisted of Mark Picking, Aiden Watson, Lee Patrick and Craig McClean, with Austin Friel forming a two pronged strike force with Kevin Kelbie. United matched the home team during the first half, but had a let-off when a header from striker Smart beat Murphy, but somehow bounced to safety off the inside of the post. United also missed a glorious chance to open the scoring, when after a Friel snap shot from 20 yards had crashed off the bar, Kelbie somehow headed over the bar from 10 yards out with the goal at his mercy. McCutchen came close for the home side when his volley just cleared the United crossbar. With halftime approaching United took the lead, when after a good sprint down the line by Picking and an early cross, Kelbie controlled the ball before tucking it away with cool precision, to open his and United’s scoring account. Halftime was reached without any more scoring and United went in for their halftime cuppa full of confidence.

Home manager Ronnie McFall, played his ‘trump’ card by bringing on Mickey Collins at halftime and this was the beginning of the end for United. During the first 15 minutes of the half United matched their opponents and the referee had to caution Collins for dissent and another player for a heavy tackle. Gary Haveron was starting to struggle in his unaccustomed fullback position, but United manager Tommy Wright seemed reluctant to make a change. The Ports equalised after 61 minutes when Simms was adjudged to have fouled McCutchen and Smart scored from the resultant penalty. The United defence and midfield fell apart after this and six minutes later the Ports took the lead, when McCutchen volleyed home from close range. At last the United manager awoke from his slumbers and took off, winger Picking and midfielder Patrick, with Scates and Melly taking their places. Portadown wrapped up the points when Gary Haveron was caught out of position again and McCutchen headed his teams third and his own second. The United manager gave long term injury victim Darren Fitzgerald a run out late on, but he was unable to pull the game out of the fire. The damage had been done with the team selection and the United manager’s failure to react to his opposite number’s tactical change. United are now in danger of missing out on qualification for the knock-out stages of this tournament for the second successive season, nothing short of three wins and a draw will be do if the Sky Blues are to progress and that wont be easy. Next Friday night’s trip to Limavady will be a ‘tough nut to crack’, but ‘crack it’ we must!

Murphy 6 Patrick 5 MoM: Kelbie

Callaghan 6 Aid Watson 6

Haveron 5 Kelbie 6

Simms 6 Friel 6 Referee: K. Ginnett 3

Alb Watson 5 1st Sub: Scates 6

McClean 5 2nd Sub: Melly 5

Picking 5 3rd Sub: Fitzy 5