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