Sweet Relief!

In an ironic twist United finally stopped their 6 game losing streak in the week that the Royal Irish regimental band played their last public engagement in the town. Maybe it was the sadness of that occasion which gave the Sky Blues the incentive for a monumental effort which gleaned them all three points. United manager Tommy Wright, as forecast in Sky Blue Sport we might add, made two changes to the United starting line-up, with Picking and Walsh coming in for the suspended Aiden Watson and the injured Stuarty King. Portadown, with new signing Andy Smith on board and occupying 5th place in the league table, for once brought a decent travelling support with them. They began the match as if they meant business and United were indebted to Captain Albert Watson for a timely clearance when danger threatened during the first 5 minutes. Mark Picking, restored to the right wing berth, had United's best chance early on and he forced visiting keeper Miskelly to tip his fierce shot over the bar for a corner. Portadown stepped up the pressure and the United defence hung on bravely, with young Johnny Flynn showing maturity beyond his years. United were confined to breakaways and Walsh held on too long when he burst past Ports two central defenders, only to have his shot deflected for a corner. United have recently appointed Craig McClean as their corner taker from the right and Miskelly was lucky to grab his inswinger at the second attempt. United survived a couple of anxious moments when firstly Smith took a dive in the box when tackled by Flynn, lesser referees than Steven Weatherall, might have given a penalty and then when Simon Kelly missed a free header in the box, but was rescued by keeper Paul Murphy. Kelly was doing some good overlapping down United's right flank, which was could have been seen as a tribute to former United stalwart Eric Trevorrow, who was one of the guests at yesterday's corporate dinner. United who, let's face it, were lucky to survive the Ports first half onslaught, took the lead on the stroke of halftime. There seemed little trouble when Walsh was pushed wide by the Ports defence, but he fed Mark Picking wide on the right. Picking danced up the wing before laying the ball back to Kelly and his perfect cross found the head of Kevin Kelbie and he buried the ball deep into the net with a powerful header. That goal ensured that United left the field at halftime to a standing ovation, a bit of a change from recent weeks I must say.

United started the second half in jittery fashion, epitomised by Simon Kelly giving away a needless corner when he allowed a harmless ball to skim off his head when under no pressure. United somehow survived a period of severe pressure by the visitors and home keeper Paul Murphy even hurt himself when ensuring a Smith free kick went round the post. United refused to wilt under pressure and nobody epitomised their 'never say die' attitude better than my 'man of the match', Gary Haveron. Time and time again the big Larne man came to United's rescue and he gave young fullback Craig McClean a bit of much needed support as well. As so often happens in this game we all love so much, United increased their lead against the run of play. Garth Scates found himself in possession just inside his own half with the luxury of Kelbie and Walsh one on one with their opponents. Scatesy's first attempt ricocheted off a Ports player, but his second was played into Kelbie's path. Kevin then took off down the left wing before delivering an inch perfect cross to fellow striker Walsh, who beat Miskelly with a crisp shot to put United two up. The tumultuous applause from the United faithful was as much in relief as in joy and I include myself in that number. But as any United follower knows we had to endure an anxious closing spell when five minutes later in the 75th minute a cross from visiting striker McCutcheon ricocheted off Flynn's leg and into the United net to reduce the leeway. United manager Tommy Wright made two changes during the closing stages, taking off Walsh and bringing on Fitzy and then taking off Picking and bringing on Lee Patrick. United missed another glorious chance late on, but in all fairness I think they were content to hold out for a 2-1 win. Referee Steven Weatherall didn't prolong the agony for the home fans bringing the game to a halt after the scheduled 3 minutes of added time. United in complete contrast to recent games came off to a rousing reception and deservedly so, hopefully this is the start of a drive up the Premier league, well at least it has stopped the rot, which can only be good!


Murphy 7 Scates 6 MoM: Haveron

Kelly 6 Walsh 7

McClean 7 Kelbie 7

Flynn 7 Melaugh 7 Referee: S. Weatherall 5

Alb Watson 7 1st Sub: Fitzy 5

Haveron 8 2nd Sub: Patrick 6

Picking 7

Hard Fought!

United made things difficult for Belfast visitors Cliftonville today, but still ended up on the wrong side of a one nil scoreline. Manager Wright restored teenager Johnny Flynn to the centre of defence alongside Albert Watson, with Simon Kelly moving to the rightback slot in the continued absence of Aaron Callaghan, while upfront Davitt Walsh got the nod ahead of the unfortunate Fitzy. This was in my opinion a mistake as Walsh was completely lacking in match fitness and as a result was virtually a passenger throughout the match. But United did battle and matched their opponents during the first hour of the match, but it was hardly exciting stuff. Walsh had a chance for the home side midway through the half when he burst through the visitors defence only to hurry his shot and it was an easy save for the visiting keeper, when surely a pass would've been more fruitful. Stuarty King also had a good run up the left flank, but his cross pulled back from the byline eluded the United forwards. Referee Burns committed a gaffe during the first half when he stopped play for an apparent head injury to a Cliftonville player, but when the player refused treatment from the physio and didn't go off he allowed him to stay on, surely once the physio has been summoned a player must leave the pitch, at least that's what I thought anyway. The visiting keeper also dropped a free kick but the United forwards were unable to force it over the line and the chance was lost.

The second half was similar to the first until the referee adjudged that home keeper Murphy had got a touch to a driven shot which appeared to go under his body and wide of the goal. Murphy obviously thought it was a goalkick, but the referee gave a corner to the visitors. Former Distillery player Francis Murphy delivered a 'gem' into the box and when the ball broke, Barry Holland fired through a ruck of players and into the net. The timing of this goal was typical of United's season so far, just an hour into the game, just that time when limbs start to tire and the strains of a midweek match start to tell. United were badly in need of a good shake-up but with Scates and Melaugh struggling in centre midfield, McClean looking lost at leftback, Picking having a poor game on the flank and Davitt Walsh out of sorts it was hard to see where to start. Manager Wright decided to take off Walsh and Picking with Fitzy and Lowry taking their place, but United were still devoid of ideas. In a last throw of the dice Craig McClean made way for Randal Reid and 5 minutes after coming on Reid missed United's best chance of the game. Fitzy broke down the right flank and his driven cross looked like a gift for Randal but he somehow failed to get a touch and the chance was lost. Fitzy was out of luck near the end with a snap shot which unfortunately was straight at the visiting keeper and United had lost their fourth game in a row. Yes there was encouragement here today, but we created too little and it's hard to see anything but another defeat away to Linfield next week, roll on November, is all I can say!


Murphy 6 Melaugh 5 MoM: Flynn

Kelly 6 Walsh 4

McClean 5 Kelbie 6

Scates 4 King 6 Referee: C. Burns 4

Alb Watson 7 1st Sub: Fitzy 6

Flynn 7 2nd Sub: Lowry 5

Picking 5 3rd Sub: Reid 5

Still Looking!

United manager Tommy Wright, true to his word, gave an instant recall to Fitzy after the wee striker notched a hat-trick for the reserves last Saturday. Despite Tommy's reshuffling of his starting eleven, Kelly moving to central defence, Wray to right-back, Picking returning on the right wing with Melaugh and Scates reforming a partnership in the middle, United were second best as far as attacking ideas were concerned. Referee Alan Black annoyed the visiting Sky Blue fans when he booked Simon Kelly for a foul after only 20 mins but thereafter allowed the home team to get away with deliberate handballs and even worse fouls. United though paid a heavy price for this foul for as the ball was driven across goal, Simon Kelly glanced a header into his own net to give the home team the lead. United didn't let this misfortune affect them too much and continued to probe for openings, without much success. From another Dungannon free kick United had a lucky let-off when the ball just sailed by the post with Murphy nowhere. Halftime was reached with United still one down but the i was hopeful they would turn it round in the second period.

Alas my hopes were unfounded and in fact it was the home team who came closest to scoring, firstly their great transfer prospect, McAllister, missed the target when he rose unchallenged to head a corner wide and soon after United keeper Murphy allowed a harmless looking shot to go past him, but luckily it struck the post and rebounded to safety. United did manage two shots on target in the second period, the pick of which was a shot from Scates which former keeper Dwayne Nelson saved at the second attempt. The United manager rang the changes for the last 20 mins, with Picking making way for Cushley and Lowry coming on for Melaugh. The last throw of the dice saw Walsh replacing Wray, with Fitzy dropping into midfield, but United were still devoid of ideas. The one positive to come out of this game was the spirit of the players, which maybe, just maybe, could see us turn the corner, only thing is, it needs to happen sooner, rather than later!


Murphy 6 Melaugh 5 MoM: Fitzy

Wray 5 Fitzy 7

McClean 6 Kelbie 6

Scates 5 King 6 Referee: A. Black 3

Alb Watson 6 1st Sub: Cushley 5

Kelly 6 2nd Sub: Lowry 6

Picking 6 3rd Sub: Walsh 6

Blue Down!

Ballymena succumbed to a second successive league defeat and a 3rd defeat in a row, when they 'gifted' 3 goals to Crusaders at Seaview yesterday. The small number of Sky Blue fans who made the trip were almost doomed to the inevitable the longer the game progressed. The United manager had surprised us with his team selection going for a 4,3, 3 formation and giving young Gary Baird a debut on the right wing. Crusader's manager Stephen Baxter obviously needs to see an optician as he said that we picked a team of tall players. Yes Stephen we see what you mean, Aiden Watson 5 foot 3, Gary Baird, 5 foot 2, Stephen Lowry 5 foot 8, Lee Patrick 5 foot 8 in fact we only had 3 tall players on the team, Simon Kelly, Johnny Flynn and Stuarty King, but we'll let Stephen believe what he wants to believe. United continued where they left off on Wednesday night by creating and missing numerous chances in the first half. Stuarty King, despite getting beyond his marker on half a dozen occasions, failed to put in a telling cross. United twice within a minute almost took the lead, firstly a Kelly pile driver forced Crues keeper Shannon into saving at the expense of a corner and from the resultant corner Johnny Flynn's goal bound shot was scrambled to safety. United had a let-off just before halftime when a linesman's flag ruled out a goal by the home team.

United held out for 15 minutes in the second half having a legitimate penalty appeal waved away by referee Hunter when Aiden Watson was floored in the box. Then when referee Hunter awarded the home team a free kick on the left wing, we all waited in anticipation. Sure enough the cross came over, the United defence stood and watched as usual and home striker Coulter had the simple task of heading past the hapless Murphy in the United goal. That's three goals from 3 free kicks on the left, already this season, which United have defended miserably and surely somebody in the United management team should be able to do something about it. That goal came in the 61 ist minute and exactly 12 minutes later Paul Murphy did his famous 'waving act' as a cross sailed over his head and Crues player Morrow beat Lee Patrick to the ball to make it 2 nil. In yet another 12 minutes the United defence stood and watched as Coulter juggled the ball before shooting past the stranded Murphy to seal a 3 nil win. The closest United came to reducing the leeway was a Simon Kelly free kick which sailed miles over the bar. This defeat drops the Sky Blues to 12th in the table with the horrendous goal difference of 2 for and 8 against and there appears little light at the end of this tunnel.

Murphy 5 Patrick 5 MoM: Lowry

Kelly 5 Lowry 6

McClean 6 Kelbie 5

Aid Watson 5 King 5 Referee: A. Hunter 4

Alb Watson 5 1st Sub: Reid 5

Flynn 5 2nd Sub: Cushley 5

Baird 5 3rd Sub: Scates 5

Captain's Turn!

United manager Tommy Wright held good to his promise by dropping number one keeper Paul Murphy and promoting reserve keeper Sean O'Neill. He didn't however drop Gary Haveron but pushed him into midfield, with 17 year-old Johnny Flynn taking his place, in his first full game for the senior team alongside Captain Albert Watson. Simon Kelly returned at rightback replacing Thomas Wray another player who was less than impressive last Saturday. Mark Picking was preferred up front to Randal Reid alongside Kelbie, while Aiden Watson got the nod ahead of David Cushley in midfield. This meant no place for veteran Nigel Boyd, who didn't even make the subs bench and subsequently left United with only the sparest of cover, e.g. either midfielders or strikers. United began the game attacking their favourite goals and looked menacing from the outset. Former United keeper Greg Shannon was completely fooled by a 35 yard free kick from Simon Kelly which thudded off his crossbar before going over for a goalkick. That chance came early on in the game and shortly after disaster struck for the visitors when defender Andy Hunter was stretchered off with what looked like a broken leg (as yet unconfirmed). United had their best spell during this period and should have taken the lead on a couple of occasions. United's corners have been to say the least disappointing over the last few games and last night young Craig McClean was given the task of delivering them from the right, with his left foot. From his second effort Gary Haveron headed goalwards only to have his effort kicked off the line with the keeper stranded. Craig's corner seemed to have a knock-on effect and a Mark Picking corner from the other side eluded the Crues cover and somehow eluded Albert Watson when only a touch was needed. Crusaders finally got their act together and keeper O'Neill saved a David Rainey shot with his legs. During this half we witnessed one of those bizarre incidents with which Irish football is plagued, when Mark Picking accused a visiting player of feigning injury and referee Best invited him to leave the field, which he at first refused to do, but then did and proved Picking to be correct in his assumption. Should the referee not have cautioned the culprit for deliberately feigning injury, is this not cheating? Obviously referee Best thought different (I have avoided the obvious pun here of the 'best' man to judge) and he after all is the man who matters most in this case. Halftime though was reached with the scores level and United fans looked forward to the second period with anticipation but just in the back of their minds was the thought that they had missed too many chances in the first period.

The old story about it being a game of two halves was never better illustrated than in this game as the Crues came out with 'all guns blazing' in the second half. They were aided somewhat by a linesman (or should I say referee's assistant), who never seemed to be up with the play and gave United even more food for thought. As is so often the case in these scenarios it was United who took the lead, completely against the run of play it must be said. Mark Picking popped up on the right wing to win a corner for the home team and Craig McClean trotted over to take another inswinger. The Crues defence were at sixes and sevens and as the ball dropped young Johnny Flynn reacted quickly to hammer a left foot shot into the net. This goal came in the 63rd minute and two minutes later Gary Haveron limped out of the game to be replaced by Stuart King. This seemed like a strange substitution from my part as King is not renowned for giving cover to his fullback, in this case Craig McClean. Six minutes later and the Crues were level and once again the linesman was behind play and didn't see Davey Rainey in an offside position. As he advanced on goal United keeper O'Neill dived at his feet, but the veteran striker threaded the ball past him and into the net to level the scores. United manager Tommy Wright took off Garth Scates and brought on Randal Reid and Picking moved onto his more accustomed right wing berth. Young defender Johnny Flynn gave his colleagues a scare when his attempted clearance merely ballooned up in the air, but was scrambled to safety. Crusaders clinched their place in the final when yet 'another United clanger' allowed them the luxury of a 'two on one' situation inside the home penalty area. The 'culprit' this time was Captain Albert Watson when he inexplicably missed a free header and Rainey took full advantage to slot the ball past keeper O'Neill. United manager Tommy Wright then threw caution to the winds bringing on Fitzy in place of Craig McClean, but I'm afraid it was a case of 'too little too late' and United succumbed to defeat fairly easily or as some fans would say, too easily. The United manager now has the unenviable task of not only getting his beleaguered troops up for the 'return game' (Carnegie league match), at Seaview on Saturday, but instilling belief in his team that they can go and win by 3 clear goals at Dungannon next Tuesday night in their last C.I.S. cup match, all I can say is, rather him than me. I would just like to direct a question at the small section of United fans who booed the team and manager off at the end, what sort of fans are you? Do you seriously think the manager and team went out to perform badly? Of course they didn't, you know the old saying, 'when the going gets tough, the tough get going and get going we will, depend on it. Don't forget to check out Omar's hard hitting column which makes a long awaited return and turn out in force at Seaview, remember, we are Sky Blue, we will come through!


O'Neill 7 Aid Watson 6 MoM: Picking

Kelly 6 Picking 7

McClean 7 Kelbie 5

Scates 5 Melaugh 6 Referee: D. Best 4

Alb Watson 6 1st Sub: King 5

Flynn 7 2nd Sub: Reid 6

Haveron 6 3rd Sub: Fitzy 5