Black Saturday!

After the euphoria of the win against league leaders Glentoran, United and their supporters came down to earth with a bump against lowly Glenavon. When the United management look back on this match, they can point the finger at the United defence, in general and goalkeeper Paul Murphy in particular. Murphy, who has been superb over the last few games, had a game he’ll want to forget in a hurry. Seven minutes were on the clock when Murphy handed the home team the lead, Albert Watson’s back pass, wasn’t probably the best, but the United’s keeper allowed Glenavon forward Harper to close him down and the ball struck Harper and fell nicely for the player. Murphy had another chance to redeem himself when the shot was straight at him, but he could only parry it into the player’s path and he found the back of the net easily. When United tried to get back into the game they found the home defence in no nonsense mood. This was epitomised on two occasions and it’s something the Sky Blues should take under consideration. First coloured central defender Atiba Charles harried United’s Kevin Kelbie and even fouled the United player when they both went out of play and as a result Kelbie’s threat was nullified for the remainder of the game. The second incident occurred when Fitzy broke clear of the home defence only to be pulled down when a score looked certain. Referee Keith Halliday totally ignored the normal procedure and didn’t even caution the home defender and Scates failed miserably with his free kick, which went miles over the bar. This was in complete contrast to an incident from last Tuesday night’s game, when Gareth Scates allowed Glentoran’s Colin Nixon a free run on goal, rather than pull him down when he had the chance. Glenavon doubled their lead soon after when the United defence wilted once more. Left back Craig McClean allowed winger McGinnis too much room and when his cross-cum-shot came in, it bounced into the United net, despite a last ditch attempt from keeper Murphy. That was in the 23^rd minute and I think I knew then that it was not going to be our day. This was compounded 16 minutes later when a through ball was chased by Harper and Watson, with Murphy advancing to the edge of the box. The keeper was reluctant to leave his area and the ball appeared to strike him and fell kindly to Harper, who hammered it into the United net. United did have one or two chances when the only player to rise above mediocrity, Mark Picking, had a couple of openings, but he chose to pass rather than shoot for goal. This fact was remarked on by former United stalwart Norman Clarke, during the half time interval. Just before the interval Fitzy was replaced by Randal Reid, a strange move with halftime looming.

United did try to mount a few attacks in the second period but they appeared to be going through the motions. Randal Reid was given the chance to add to his impressive scoring record, when after good work by Scates wide on the right he shot feebly at the home keeper when a goal looked certain. A goal then might have given the Sky Blues some hope but I do believe they didn’t deserve to have any. Stuarty King was having his usual ineffective game and it was no surprise when he was substituted midway through the second period. The only surprise was the fact that Darren Murphy was the player replacing him. Surely it would have been more advantageous to have brought on Austen Friel and go to a 4, 3, 3 formation, in my opinion. But we instead went for what looked like a 3, 4, 1, 2 with Picking playing behind Kelbie and Reid and Murphy slotting into a back three with Watson and Haveron. United actually managed a consolation goal with 15 minutes left when the best player on the park, Atiba Charles, somehow put through his own goal, after his keeper made a hash of a cross ball. Could United pull this game out of the fire I wondered, but deep down I knew the answer was no. We even had to watch as Kevin Kelbie hit the ball wide when it looked easier to score. United’s day of woe was summed up when substitute Darren Murphy had to be substituted after a heavy fall, with Friel taking his place. United keeper Paul Murphy almost committed yet another gaffe when he attempted to dribble a Craig McClean back pass out of defence with McGinnis in hot pursuit. The fourth official held up the board for 4 minutes of added time, but luckily for United referee Halliday totally ignored this and added just 2 minutes more. The United fans had seen enough, they had wanted the match over at halftime, by then their team was well and truly beaten. I just hope the ‘Welders’ didn’t have us watched today, or they will be rubbing their hands with glee for next Saturday’s Irish cup encounter, I on the other hand am as nervous as a kitten!

P. Murphy 4 Patrick 5 MoM: Picking

Callaghan 4 Fitzy 5

McClean 4 Kelbie 5

Scates 5 King 4 Referee: K. Halliday 3

Alb Watson 4 1^st Sub: Reid 5

Haveron 5 2^nd Sub: D. Murphy 6

Picking 6 3^rd Sub: Friel 5