Big Mac!

Glentoran came to the Showgrounds with a 100% record yesterday and left with an easy victory, thanks partly to more benevolent defending by the Sky Blues defence. United's preparations weren't helped by the fact that they were minus both fullbacks from last week's victory at Glenavon. Aaron Callaghan was missing through injury, while Nigel Boyd whose cause has been championed by Sky Blue Sport, was attending a family wedding. Boydie's attitude has been called into question after this recent escapade and we're left to wonder if he's really committed to the United cause. Top scorer Davitt Walsh was missing due to an unspecified illness but will hopefully be available for next Wednesday's County Antrim Shield semi-final at home to Crusaders. United manager Tommy Wright said in the programme that United needed to take something from their next 5 games starting today, which are against teams who finished in the top six last season. If that was the case why did he select an adventurous team with two strikers and two wingers instead of packing the midfield and defence, while hoping to snatch something at the other end. Thomas Wray and Craig McClean were given a chance at right and left-back respectively, but I'm afraid Wray in particular was unimpressive. Randall Reid was given another chance up front in place of Walsh and even though he came closest to scoring, he still looks rather raw to say the least. Glentoran opened the scoring after only 9 minutes when referee Turkington (or should I say excuse for a referee Turkington) gave a dubious free kick to the visitors for an alleged foul by United Captain Albert Watson against Glens striker Gary Hamilton. This decision which was clearly six on one hand and half a dozen on the other, was to prove the undoing of the United defence. Hamilton's driven free kick appeared from my vantage point to go into the net directly, with the United defence looking on, but according to Radio Ulster commentators (and who am I to argue with such educated gentlemen who rarely know their left from their right), the 'one ball wonder', Rory Hamill actually deflected it past the flat footed Paul Murphy. Incredibly United survived the rest of the half, due mainly to over-elaboration by the visitors and a good save from Murphy from a Kyle Neill free kick. United's only efforts early on failed to trouble the Glens stand-in keeper Dougherty (well known by United fans and ball boys). In fact their were only two as I remember, one was when Kevin Kelbie cut inside and blasted wildly over the bar and the other was when Garth Scates got on the end of a Cushley cross but could only deflect the ball wide. United's best spell of the half came just before halftime and we then saw the other side of this Glentoran team, aided and abetted by this inept referee, Brian Turkington. David Cushley, who had already been punched by Daryl Fordyce (the player Tommy Wright told us would only come to the Showgrounds and nowhere else), was then fouled and punched by Colin Nixon, which should've brought a straight red card, referee Turkington didn't even admonish the culprit. Two minutes later when Cushley burst past Nixon once more, Fordyce came in with a crunching tackle which this time at did draw a yellow card from the referee. Nixon was determined to try the referee's patience and he came in with an 'over the top' tackle on young Craig McClean which should've drawn a straight red, but the inept official merely flourished an ineffective yellow card. This tackle is known throughout the game as the 'leg break' tackle and should in my opinion draw a mandatory red card regardless of whoever commits it. The Glens 'rough tactics' had the desired effect and young Cushley in particular treated the ball like it was a 'hot potato' for the rest of the game.

One minute into the second-half and the game was over as a contest when United keeper Paul Murphy 'flapped' at a corner and the unmarked Gary Hamilton had the easy task of heading into the United net. United's best player Mark Picking did have a couple of chances for the home side, but one narrowly went wide, while another was deflected for a corner, but given as a by-ball by Mr. Ineptitude Turkington. Manager Wright finally took off the misfiring Cushley with young Paul McNeill taking his place. After 65 mins Gary Haveron blasted a free kick over the bar which would maybe have given the home team some hope, but I doubt it. With 20 minutes left the United defence went asleep once more when after Wray had needlessly given away possession, Hamilton steered Neill's cross past the flatfooted Murphy. Hamilton did look a mite offside but lines-person Annette Rogan was rarely up with play and the goal stood. Two minutes later Gary Haveron, who had a game he will want to forget, headed into the path of Glens striker Halliday and he rounded Murphy before slotting home. At 4 nil there was no way back for United and what does our manager do, he takes off his worst defender, Gary Haveron (understandable) and his best player, Mark Picking. Picking has to be commended here as it was obvious he contemplated throwing his shirt off in disgust, but like the true professional he is he resisted the temptation. I was personally astounded as were most of the home fans and this led to a fairly mass exodus of those said fans and who could blame them? Lee Patrick and Johnny Flynn were their replacements and to their credit United didn't let in any more goals. In fact the fans that left missed United's best chance when Dougherty (the man who hates ball boys, or did I say that earlier), did a Paul Murphy (flapped at a cross) and Randal Reid's overhead kick came off the post and was cleared. This just about summed up United's luck on the day, when if it wasn't for 'bad luck', they wouldn't have had any luck at all. That said I'm a firm believer in teams making their own luck and hopefully we'll make plenty on Wednesday night, as for this match I think it's best to forget it, who wants to win the league anyway, not me I can assure you, it'd only play havoc with my summer holidays and they're set in stone!


Murphy 5 Melaugh 7 MoM: Picking

Wray 4 Reid 5

McClean 6 Kelbie 6

Scates 5 Cushley 5 Referee: B. Turkington 1

Watson 6 1st Sub: McNeill 6

Haveron 4 2nd Sub: Flynn 6

Picking 7 3rd Sub: Patrick 6

Hot Scates!

Garth Scates continued his ´hot form´ in United´s first Carnegie league game away to Glenavon, writes Sammy Patterson. The tiny midfielder scored twice in United´s previous visit to Mourneview Park and although not among the scorers this time he was the architect of both United goals in a narrow 2-1 win. United manager Tommy Wright carried out his threat and made four changes to his starting line-up of the previous Saturday. Out went McClean, Aiden Watson and Lowry, while Paul Brown was absent due to injury. In their place was the ´veteran´Nigel Boyd, Gavin Melaugh, David Cushley and up front was United´s talisman of last season Kevin Kelbie. Kelbie in fact almost made an instant return to the side when his snap shot after 8 minutes was just saved by Glenavon´s keeper Teide Murphy. United themselves also had a lucky escape a minute later when Gibson just failed to get the finishing touch to a Hamlin cross. Kelbie and Walsh were looking dangerous for the visitors and Kelbie broke the deadlock after 15 minutes when he hammered a Scates cut back into the net after a cross from Picking. United´s lead didn´t last long however and Gibson levelled the scores 15 minutes later. United came within a whisker of a second goal before halftime, but Murphy dived bravely at Walsh´s feet and the chance was lost.

United got their second and as it turned out decisive goal 9 minutes into the second half when Cowan´s reckless challenge on Scates brought the visitors a penalty. Up stepped United´s top scorer Davitt Walsh and he cooly tucked away the spot kick. United, as is their wont, held out for a narrow victory, but had a let off when a Cowan headed goal was ruled out for a push. Manager Tommy Wright rang the changes late on, with firstly Walsh making way for Randall Reid on 80 minutes and then Mark Picking 2 mins later was replaced by Baird. The final substitution came 2 mins from the end when Lowry replaced the impressive Cushley. United took all 3 points and can look forward to entertaining Rory Hamill and Co (Glentoran for those who don´t know), next Saturday with a win under their belts, one down 29 to go, come on, Sky Blues!

Poor Show!

The one thing United needed to avoid yesterday was the slipshod defending which has been a feature of their C.I.S. cup campaign so far, but I'm afraid it shows no signs of abating. Ten minutes were on the clock when Linfield won a 'dubious' free kick on the far touchline near the corner flag. Up stepped Damian Curran to deliver a free kick and while the United defence looked on, Peter 'if he plays for Ulster so can I' Thompson was allowed to pick his spot with an easy header. Not only did we not mark the Linfield striker, we had nobody on the post to give the keeper extra cover either. United manager Tommy Wright had made one change to his starting line-up from last Tuesday night, Aaron Callaghan getting the nod instead of Simon Kelly. United's own attack was easily marshalled by the Linfield defence and it was particularly galling to watch Paul Brown being muscled out by the lighter Linfield players. Referee Mark Courtenay was in a benevolent mood and allowed Linfield's Steven Douglas to get off with a ticking off after a brutal tackle on Stephen Lowry. United's on-loan striker Davitt Walsh spurned a good chance midway through the half when he latched onto a through ball but delayed his shot initially and then it was easily blocked. United won a strange free kick when a Linfield player came 'in over the top' and the referee awarded an indirect free, just what his thinking was I don't know. Gary Haveron's shot from Scates pass was easily blocked by the Linfield defence. United's Craig McClean was having a torrid time and the United goal had a few narrow escapes as Ferguson was always available for crosses. We soon witnessed referee Courtenay's bias when after Ferguson showed dissent he merely talked to him and then booked Walsh for slamming the ball into the turf. Steven Douglas then took Paul Brown out on the touchline and he landed heavily on the stock car track, referee Courtenay didn't even give a foul. The so called 'sporting' Linfield fans were calling for the Ballymena man to be carried off so as the match could continue, when he was clearly badly injured. The stretcher was called for, but Browner was able to walk round to the dressing room with his shoulder strapped up and Randal Reid took his place. United did manage to get a shot on target when a half cleared corner was sent back by Haveron and Linfield keeper Manus pushed it round the post for a corner. United had a let-off when Murphy saved with his legs from a Ferguson shot, but luckily Callaghan was there to hoof the ball clear. With halftime approaching, Mark Dickson eluded McClean once more and from his cross Ferguson powered a header goalwards. It looked like a routine save for Paul Murphy, just to tip the ball over the bar, but he in fact tipped it into his own net for a disastrous own goal.

At the start of the second half United took off Picking and McClean and brought on Kelly and Cushley, Kelly went to right back with Callaghan switching to the left, while Lowry switched to the right to accommodate Cushley. Linfield seemed content to play out the half without too effort and I would have settled for that result myself. The Sky Blues couldn't seem to get a breakthrough against the Linfield rearguard, but they did force several corners. Only once did they look like scoring when a header from Kelly was cleared off the line with Manus beaten. Randal Reid gave the Linfield defence more problems by winning a few headers but Walsh was unable to feed off him.Tim Mouncey came on as a sub for Linfield and scored with almost his first touch when Simon Kelly failed to shepherd the ball back to Murphy (who not for the first time in his United career was slow off his line) and Mouncey nipped in to elude the keeper and score from a tight angle. Luckily for United the visitors were happy to settle for that result and they escaped a much heavier defeat which wouldn't have flattered the visitors and are 'surprisingly', still in with a shout of making the knock-out stages of the competition. Okay, they need to beat Dungannon by three clear goals, but at least their fate is still in their own hands, but a dramatic improvement is needed if this season isn't going to be a repeat or even worse than the ones that have gone before.

Murphy 5 Aid Watson 6 MoM: Aidan Watson

Callaghan 6 Walsh 6

McClean 5 Brown 5 Referee: M. Courtenay 3

Scates 5 Lowry 6

Alb Watson 5 1st Sub: Reid 6

Haveron 5 2nd Sub: Cushley 6

Picking 6 3rd Sub: Kelly 5

Just Enough!

They say that in cup games, its only winning that counts and that was all United did last night, a 2-0 victory over the 'physical' Donegal Celtic saw United through to the Crest County Antrim Shield semi-finals. Pretty it was not, good football was almost impossible with the tactics of the opposition, who 'hit hard and often'. Antrim referee Alan Black booked several visiting players, but how he allowed their number 6 to stay on the park after a late challenge on United keeper Paul Murphy, only he knows. The local referee, who has in the past come in for a fair amount of criticism from United fans, awarded the Sky Blues a penalty after 11 minutes when Stephen Lowry's shot was handled by a Celtic defender. Up stepped on-loan striker Davitt Walsh to put the home team in front with a low shot into the corner of the net. Walsh had already missed a glorious chance to give United the lead, when a great cross from Simon Kelly found him completely unmarked, but somehow he failed to find the target with a free header. With Aaron Callaghan still on International duty the United manager had drafted Gary Haveron into central defence alongside Albert Watson, therefore releasing Kelly to the right-back slot. Stephen Lowry was the only other change to United's starting line-up from the Glenavon game. That United were unable to add to their tally during the remainder of the first half was mainly down to poor finishing and the visitors spoiling tactics. Aiden Watson was at his best in centre midfield but his forwards failed to capitalise on his industry. Another great chance was spurned when Watson won a free kick about 30 yards from goal. This looked like one for Simon Kelly, but Gary Haveron took it instead driving his shot against the Donegal wall. The United physio was on the field on 3 occasions but luckily halftime was reached without any serious injuries.

Donegal Celtic came out with renewed enthusiasm in the second half and set about taking the game to the home team. The pressure was fairly relentless but the Sky Blues managed to hang on to their slender one goal lead and began building some attacks of their own. Big striker Paul Brown was working hard for United but couldn't manage to get the vital breakthrough. The visitors made a couple of changes and United had a let-off when an Armstrong shot cannoned off the crossbar with Murphy stranded. Just when it looked like United would have to settle for a one nil victory, they got their insurance goal. Davitt Walsh controlled a through ball before feeding it through for Picking who surged towards goal, easily out-pacing former United defender Kieran Donaghy, before sending a powerful shot goalwards, which although the visiting keeper got his hands to, he couldn't prevent it entering the net. That goal came after 70 minutes and the visitors almost pulled one back when the United defence was caught out by a swift raid down the right. The cross was headed goalwards but United keeper Paul Murphy made a stunning save at the expense of a corner to break the visitors hearts and silence their handful of spectators and their 'infernal' drum. former united striker Anton Rogan who had just come on as a sub, 'ttok a dive in the penalty box, but referee Black was unimpressed. Mark Picking almost notched a second goal in the 75th minute but after latching onto a Kelly pass his low shot just missed the target. Manager Wright rung the changes soon after, taking off Walsh for Randall Reid, Scates was then replaced by Lee Patrick, while Picking made way for young Stephen O'Neill to make his United debut. Despite 4 minutes of stoppage time being added United safely plotted their way to the next round and only Paul Brown knows how he failed to score when he drove the ball over the bar late on with the goal at his mercy. The referee finally brought proceedings to a halt and United fans and management heaved a big sigh of relief. Much has been said about the great things Donegal Celtic bring to the Irish league, but there was little evidence of this last night. Their team was a team of 'cloggers', they only brought 20 fans and they have a few 'sectarian issues' they need to address rather urgently!

Murphy 8 Aid Watson 8 MoM: Aid Watson

Kelly 7 Brown 7

McClean 6 Walsh 7

Scates 6 Lowry 7 Referee: A. Black 5

Alb Watson 6 1st Sub: Reid 7

Haveron 7 2nd Sub: Patrick 6

Picking 7 3rd Sub: O'Neill 6