Unlikely Hero!

United desperately in need of a win today got off to the worst possible start, going a goal down after only 15 minutes. The linesman at the 'Farm Lodge' end of the ground raised his flag during an Armagh attack for what we all assumed was an offside decision, but was in fact a free kick for the visitors. When the free kick came in Armagh central defender Gary Fitzpatrick easily out-jumped the United defence and home keeper Paul Murphy's despairing dive ended with him helping the ball into the net. Five minutes later it should've been two when the United defence went asleep once more and visiting striker Shane Cooney burst through but luckily Paul Murphy managed to block his effort with his legs. Gary Haveron and Simon Kelly were United's central defensive pairing while new signing Dean Pooley was conspicuous by his absence. Mike Ward got the nod up front alongside top scorer Kevin Kelbie, while Aiden Watson and Stephen Lowry got a start in midfield at the expense of Garth Scates and Mark Picking. Ward drew an elbow from visiting defender Fitzpatrick, completely ignored by referee Hall, who added insult to injury by not even giving the foul. He did however caution striker Shane Cooney for a deliberate handball when he guided a Slater cross into the net with his hand. Kevin Kelbie was thwarted when he tried to set Ward away, with yet another handball, but both referee and linesman saw nothing. United were struggling in the first half but only Gavin Melaugh knows how he sliced a ball in the six-yard box, after a Kelbie cross, with the goal at his mercy, which eventually went for a throw-in. With the half drawing to a close Gary Haveron picked up a booking when he was adjudged to have fouled a visiting player, a harsh decision as the player in question caught Gary with his studs. Stephen Lowry perpetrated the 'miss of the match' when he headed a 'rare' Stuarty King cross over the bar with the goal at his mercy. King then blasted the ball wide a minute later, when it looked easier to score and Gavin Melaugh hesitated, when he should've shot and yet another chance went begging.

In the second period the visitors seemed content to hold on, only pushing one man up front, while playing uncompromisingly, fouling at every opportunity, which brought a rash of bookings from referee Hall. United seemed devoid of ideas and with home fans calling for the United manager to make some changes, Cushley for King being a popular cry, United won a free kick out on the right. Up stepped the much maligned Stuarty King and his left foot free kick, deliberate or not, deceived former United keeper Stuart Addis and nestled in the top left corner of the net. United had been given a lifeline but still seemed unable to unlock the Armagh defence and it was obvious a change of personnel was needed. Manger Wright finally acted, taking off Lowry with Scates taking his place, not what I had in mind I can tell you. United were still unable to find a move to unlock the visitor's defence and visiting forward Cooney had a let-off when after another deliberate handball, coupled with kicking the ball away the referee merely gave him a talking to. With 8 minutes remaining manager Wright took off defender Craig McClean and brought on striker Davitt Walsh. United were now in full attacking mode, 3 at the back, 4 in midfield and 3 upfront. The breakthrough finally came in the 84th minute when Gary Haveron found Kelbie with a long pass and the United striker sidestepped his marker before drilling a left foot strike into the net to give the Sky Blues a 2-1 lead. Almost immediately the United manager took off striker Ward with Lee Patrick taking his place and United tried to 'shut up shop'. Of course they inevitably gave the visitors a a couple more chances and there was some desperate defending to do before the game was over. Deep into the 3 minutes of added time they in fact gave away a needless corner, but we fans breathed a sigh of relief when Paul Murphy plucked the ball out of the air. That was almost it as the referee blew the final whistle as Murphy cleared the ball upfield, it had been a long wait for a victory and it was almost worth it!


Murphy 7 Melaugh 7 MoM: Ward

Wray 6 Ward 7

McClean 6 Kelbie 7

Aid Watson 6 King 7 Referee: I. Hall 4

Haveron 7 1st Sub: Scates 6

Kelly 6 2nd Sub: Walsh 6

Lowry 6 3rd Sub: Patrick 6