Long View!

I had hoped to bring a match report on tonight's game at Shamrock Park, but I was so far away from the action, I couldn't really say for sure what happened. I do know that Kevin Kelbie notched United's goal in the 30th minute in the net that was at least 110 yards away from me, but despite dominating the rest of the first half we were unable to get another goal. When the teams took the field for the second period (on second thoughts we didn't come out for the 2nd period), home manager Ronnie McFall, made a double substitution and one of the players he brought on was former United player, Jamie Marks. This was the beginning of the end for the Sky Blues as Jamie Marks aided and abetted by the referee, kicked lumps out of our players and they in turn visibly wilted. It seemed only a matter of time before the home team got back on terms and from a Gareth McKeown long throw-in they so very nearly did, but United keeper Paul Murphy was playing the hero against his former club and saved the visitors. Despite Murphy's efforts the breakthrough finally came 20 minutes into the second half, when Portadown scored an equaliser from a free kick, or at least that's what I was told. Two minutes later with United still under severe pressure, Gary Haveron unfortunately headed into his own net to give the home team a 2-1 lead, when attempting to deal with another Mckeown long throw-in . United had begun the game with Haveron restored to the team in a 5 man midfield, with Davitt Walsh wide on the right. At this point manager Wright took off Walsh and brought on Lee Patrick, a most confusing decision to put it mildly. United fans were crying for David Cushley to be introduced in place of the ineffective Stuart King, but the United manager ignored their pleas. With 70 minutes on the clock he did introduce Randal Reid to the fray, taking off the limping Gary Haveron and suddenly we looked like a different team. We did manage to carve out an opening soon after, but as luck would have it the chance fell to Stuarty King and with the goal at his mercy he hit it straight at the keeper and the chance was lost. Kevin Kelbie had a shot that shaved the post as United probed for an equaliser, but the vital opening eluded us. Stephen Lowry was introduced in place of Craiggers McClean, but United had by this time 'blown their chances' and the home team held out for a victory which meant they leapfrogged United into 5th place in the league table.

Murphy 8 Scates 6 MoM Kelbie

Wray 7 Melaugh 7

McClean 7 Kelbie 8

Haveron 6 King 5

Watson 7 ist Sub: Patrick 6

Kelly 6 2nd Sub: Reid 7

Walsh 6 3rd Sub: Lowry 6