Jury's Out!

United had their Premier league credentials examined tonight by a 12 man jury, eleven Glentoran players and a totally biased display by referee McFadden. United could do nothing right in his eyes and some of his decisions had to be seen to be believed. Fouls against the home team went unchecked for the most part and to make matters worse McFadden and the linesman at the Fisherwick end of the ground both missed one of the most shocking fouls witnessed at the Showgrounds for many years. United got off to the worst possible start, when Joe McDonnell was adjudged to have fouled Glens forward Darren Boyce, who went down 'like a ton of bricks' to a 'powder puff' tackle. Number 22, Glenn Gardner, drilled a free kick from the edge of the box past Neal Blaney to give the visitors the lead. This was just the start of Gardiner's effect on the Sky Blues, but the worst was yet to come. That goal came after 11 minutes and two minutes later Albert Watson's intended headed back pass fell woefully short and striker Boyce beat Blaney to the ball before steering it into the net, to leave the visitors 2 nil ahead. United spurned a great chance to get a goal back when Elliott Morris's mistimed clearance fell to Mike Ward who laid it into Kelbie's path, but the United striker flashed his shot wide of the vacant goal, a desperate miss. United managed to hold out against the slick moving Glens until almost on the stroke of halftime, when central defender Albert Watson went into a tackle just outside his own penalty area and Glens player Gardiner 'went in over the top' catching Albert on the leg. This happened right under under the linesman's nose but he saw nothing wrong in the tackle and in fact signalled for a throw in to the visitors. It was obvious that Albert was in a 'bad way' and in fact had to be stretchered off with young Paul Getty taking his place. The Glens added insult to injury by playing on as if nothing had happened, even throwing the ball for a goalkick would have been the 'sporting' action. A minute later the halftime whistle went and the Glentoran players and the match officials drew a chorus of boos from the home team as they trooped off.

Three minutes into the second half the game was over as a contest, when the United defence got caught with a through ball and Boyce notched his second on the night and justified manager McDonald's ploy of only playing with only six first team regulars. United were devoid of ideas of how to change proceedings and Gavin Melaugh, captain in the absence of the suspended Gary Haveron, was having a horror night against his former club. Kevin Kelbie, who scored the United equaliser when the team's last met, was also out of sorts and when he looked to have slipped the Glen's defence on one occasion, he left the ball behind him, just a night to forget for the Scotsman. With 15 minutes remaining, manager Walker took off the hard running but ineffective Ward, giving young striker Paul McNeill his first outing of the season. Two minutes later, Gardiner repeated 'his tackle' on United winger Mark Picking, again no action was taken by the referee and linesman, nothing new there. In a last throw of the dice United manager Walker took off Gavin Melaugh, with Liam Mullan taking his place. Mullan, who had been so disappointing on Saturday appeared to rouse his team-mates and he was instrumental in them getting a lifeline late in the game. A United through ball from the home teams best player Lee Colligan was blatantly handled but ignored by referee McFadden (no surprise there) and Mullan fired the loose ball onto the post but McNeill was on hand to force the ball over the line. With the match into the 2 minutes of added time United almost narrowed the gap even further, when a Kelbie cross was headed rather tamely into Morris's arms by the unmarked Stuarty King, possibly a costly miss. This was United's last chance and they go to the Oval next Tuesday trailing by three goals to one. It will take a 'Herculean effort' if United are to pull back this two goal deficit, but it can be done, sure only last season we went there and won 4-2, as the old saying goes, 'when the going gets tough, the tough get going', but it's going to be very tough, very tough indeed!


Blaney 7 Melaugh 5 MoM: L. Colligan

Aid Watson 7 Ward 6

Colligan 8 Kelbie 5

McDonnell 6 King 6 Referee: J. McFadden 1

Alb. Watson 6 1st Sub; Getty 6

Stewart 7 2nd Sub: McNeil 7

Picking 5 3rd Sub: Mullen 7

Blacked Out!

United's run of success faltered at wet and windy Ballyskeagh today, where there credentials were examined and found to be wanting. United turned out in their all Black strip, their colours as dark as the weather. Playing with the breeze at their back in the first period, they failed to capitalise on the chances that came their way, in fact a Kelbie snap shot early on, ably dealt with by keeper Matthews was as close as they came. The swirling breeze ruined the match as a spectacle and United seemed devoid of ideas on how to break the home side down. Halftime was reached with the scores still level and the Sky Blue faithful were hoping for better things from the second period.

Things in fact only got worse for United as striker Neal Teggart, didn't reappear for the second half, the victim of a shoulder injury. Wardy came on in his place, but for some reason United switched to a 4,5,1, formation, instead of sticking with 4,4,2, a real tactical mistake. Home manager Paul Kirk made a couple of changes in the 2nd period, bringing in striker Darren Armour, for the ineffective Gary Brown and bringing on Kingsberry on the right wing. Young United fullback Lee Colligan was not looking as sharp as in his previous two starts and the home team began to apply the pressure on their right flank. United spurned a great chance to take the lead when after a surging run, Liam Mullan chose to pass to Kelbie instead of going for goal himself. Kelbie to his credit, did manage to get a shot in, but Matthews at full stretch managed to push it for a corner. Stuarty King's corner came to nothing and in fact the home team set up an attack from it. The Whites won a free kick 20 yards from goal and United were indebted to keeper Blaney who managed to turn the ball for a corner. Alas he had only delayed the inevitable, as from the resultant corner the ball fell to the unmarked Brown and he drove it into the net, giving Blaney no chance. United took Mullan off with Picking taking his place, switching to 4,4,2, formation, but they still couldn't find the vital breakthrough. With the match drifting to a close they did have one last chance, but home substitute Kingsberry was on hand to clear a Stuarty King shot off the line, with a suspicion of handball. United huffed and puffed over the closing stages but were unable to break down the stubborn home defence and as a result they're still rooted at the bottom of the table.


Blaney 7 McDonnell 6 MoM: Alb Watson

Aid Watson 6 Teggart 6

Colligan 6 Kelbie 6

Haveron 7 Mullan 5 Referee: M. Courtenay 5

Alb Watson 7 1st Sub: Wardy 6

Melaugh 6 2nd Sub: Picking 6

King 5

Super Stuarty

United managed a vital point in today's game, with a goal set up by one of their most maligned players, Stuarty King. Stuarty is one of those frustrating players, you always have a sense of optimism when he gets the ball, but for the most part he only flatters to deceive. For 58 minutes today he was his usual self, threatening to deliver a good cross, or a dangerous ball from a free kick or corner, but not quite managing it. But he came good in the end, leaving Glen's fullback Jason Hill for dead, cutting into the box along the by-line, before pulling the ball back for Kevin Kelbie to drill the ball past Elliot Morris for a richly deserved equaliser. United took the field today, with Albert Watson (we got the wrong end of the stick, as did the press)much to my surprise as I thought he was suspended (it was Aiden Watson who was missing due to suspension) and in his place was new signing Thomas Burke. Liam Mullan returned in place of the injured Craiggers McClean, but the rest of the United team remained the same, which meant young Aaron Stewart remained on the bench, along with Wardy, Walsh, Getty and Cushley. United started better than last week against the Blues and gave as good as they got in the early exchanges, but I was a wee bit anxious as the linesman at the Fisherwick end missed two blatant offsides, which luckily came to nothing. He also gave the visitors a couple of free kicks for what can best be described as innocuous tackles.Gary Hamilton was as tricky as ever and undone the United defence with neat move, but luckily his screw back pass was too good for everybody. Glentoran midfielder McCabe demonstrated that he has lost none of his 'gaelic' skills, with two deliberate handballs in the space of 2 minutes and was rightly booked, but not for the handballs, just for kicking the ball away. The linesman at the Fisherwick end missed another offside and Halliday sprinted clear looking likely to score. United keeper Alan Blaney advanced from his goal and bravely dived at the strikers feet, just managing to get a touch to the ball. Halliday, with whom the keeper made minimal contact went down like a 'ton of bricks', but referee Crangle waved play on, a proper decision in my book. United's Gavin Melaugh picked up a foolish caution for 'kicking the ball away' after he had been somewhat harshly penalised for a foul. The half ended with United almost breaking the deadlock, when in the best move of the first period, Mullan and Teggart combined well before playing in Kelbie's and his snap shot appeared to skim the crossbar.

United were caught cold a minute into the 2nd period, when after Mullan gave away a silly free kick on the left flank, Hamilton took the kick before the United defence were organised and Scullion, looking suspiciously offside volleyed the ball past the stranded Blaney. United were shell-shocked and protested that the referee hadn't signalled for the kick to be taken, but the referee would have none of it and the goal stood. The Sky Blues to their credit didn't take this lying down and stepped up the tempo but it was obvious it was going to take a bit of 'magic' to unlock the Glens defence. That magic was provided by the least obvious source, Stuarty King, who set up Kevin Kelbie for his fifth goal this term, with a piece of classic wing play. United were 'cock a hoop' now and looked the most likely team to grab all three points. Manager Roy Walker showed his anger when Neal Teggart was cautioned for dissent and then watched as Glens substitute Taylor came in with 'studs' showing, but no action taken by the referee. With 15 minutes left Mullan was replaced by Wardy and he was unceremoniously tripped by Taylor as he sprinted clear, again no action from the referee. Up stepped United Captain Gary Haveron, but his free kick sailed aimlessly over the bar, what a waste in my book. Neal Teggart saw a header cleared off the line, after a 'rare good' corner from Stuarty, was headed back across goal by the same Gary Haveron. Glens substitute Taylor was determined to put his 'mark' on this game (or on Mike Ward at any rate) and he duly succeeded when he elbowed the United player, in full view of the linesman, who somehow missed the incident completely, nothing new there then. Wardy had to come off with blood streaming down his face, the 2nd time in 3 games that United had to substitute a substitute because of a head injury, with Davitt Walsh taking his place. During the three minutes of added time United had one last chance with a corner from the right, but Gary Haveron's header was saved by Glens keeper Elliot Morris. United, who were called into the middle by manager Roy walker for a 'huddle', trooped off to tumultuous applause, for a well deserved point!

Blaney 7 Melaugh 7 MoM: Haveron

Burke 7 Teggart 7

Colligan 7 Kelbie 7

Haveron 8 Mullan 6 Referee: R. Crangle 5

Alb Watson 8 1st Sub: Wardy 7

McDonnell 6 2nd Sub: Walsh 7

King 7

Sweet Sorrow!

The main talking point after yesterday's first victory of the season and the first over Linfield for 10 years, was not about United's stunning and comprehensive display, but about the sad news that young defender Aaron Stewart's mother had died in a car crash earlier that day. As United manager Roy Walker emotionally said on the radio, he'd gladly give back the three points if this heartbreaking event could be undone, the Sky Blue Sport's team would heartily endorse those sentiments, wins in these circumstances are indeed bitter sweet. In a somewhat macabre twist young Aaron was featured in the club programme yesterday and when asked who had been the greatest influence on his career, he replied my mum and dad. His dad is of course Alfie Stewart and is well known to most Irish league fans as a 'classy' defender at Portadown, Coleraine and latterly at Ballymena, where he is now reserve team manager. Aaron's mum was bringing him to the game yesterday at the time of the unfortunate accident and when this game is discussed, as it will be many times in the coming years, there'll always be a sad reflection on the untimely death of a loved wife and mother. Sky Blue Sport would like to offer our sincere and heartfelt sympathies to Aaron, Alfie and the family circle, you are all in our thoughts at this sad time.

United took the field with a strange looking combination yesterday, no doubt somewhat changed by the unfortunate car accident that young defender Aaron Stewart was involved in and leaving United with only four subs as a consequence. With the unavailability of leftback Liam Hogan, due to injury, teenage reserve player Lee Colligan started the game in that position. Young Lee had had the distinction of coming on as a sub at Coleraine last week, being on the field for 2 minutes, getting a kick from a 'scum' player in the mouth (missed by referee Turkington and his officials, not surprisingly I hasten to add) and having to be substituted himself. Versatile Captain Gary Haveron slotted into central defence which meant a recall for Joe McDonnell in central midfield. Craig McLean returned from injury in an unfamiliar left midfield role, replacing the unavailable Liam Mullan, with Stuarty King (superman) on the right. Kevin Kelbie, who had been somewhat isolated on the left-wing last week, played just behind lone target man Neal Teggart in attack. Linfield, who won the toss, laid siege to the United goal early on and keeper Neal Blayney, much criticised by myself and many others on earlier performances, pulled off a couple of good saves, but was relieved to see a Ferguson free kick, flash past the post. Ahoghill native Stephen Douglas was causing United concern with his long throws and Blayney had a wee break when he came for one, fumbled it, but managed to recover the ball, a collective sigh of relief from the United fans, well me anyway. After 15 minutes of relentless pressure, the beleaguered United defence got a breather when the Sky Blues began to find their rhythm especially down the left flank, through Colligan (who is no mean long throw expert himself) and Craiggers McClean. Despite forcing several corners, United were unable to trouble former keeper Stuart Addis and Stuarty King's delivery has to be called into question here. Former manager Tommy Wright, used Craiggers for corners from the right side and Gavin Melaugh from the left last season and I believe this would prove a better option for United. Linfield had a 'good shout' for a penalty, waved away by referee Black, who had earlier booked tigerish United rightback Aiden Watson, who was once more having a marvellous game, popping up wherever he was needed. A Ferguson shot cannoned off the crossbar, much to the relief of Blayney and his defenders, but it was United who were starting to dictate the pace of the game. With 30 minutes on the clock, United broke the deadlock with a great bit of football up their left flank. Colligan and McClean exchanged passes, Lee fed Teggart, he laid the ball into Kelbie's path and the United striker unleashed a vicious left foot shot that gave Addis no chance as it swept past him into the net. What a celebration for the home fans and how ironic that the scorer should be Kelbie, the subject of a demeaning bid by Linfield 'bigot' David Jeffrey in the close season. Linfield tried to get back on terms, but United, despite being under pressure, were full of belief and in a typical move Kelbie ran up the left flank, courtesy of a Colligan long throw and Joe McDonnell just failed to get the vital touch to his deep cross at the far post. United came off to thunderous applause at halftime and I could hardly wait for the restart.

Linfield as expected came out with more purpose in the second half but the best chance fell to United when Kelbie waltzed past their sluggish central defenders (rumour has that Bailie and Murphy have a combined age of 83), but somehow screwed his shot wide, when it looked easier to score. The United defence, with captain courageous Gary Haveron and Albert Watson in top form were under a lot of pressure, but coped fairly well for the most part. The United fans were relieved to see the man known familiarly to them as the 'animal', Paul McAreavy and Stephen(you couldn't score in Ahoghill)Douglas being substituted by the visitors. One of the Blues subs, a redhead called Stephen Garret's first meaningful contribution was to be pulled up for a foul throw, a prudent welcome to the Showgrounds for young Garret. United were indebted to the woodwork once more, when a shot from Linfield's best player, Carvill came off the post. Kelbie almost secured the points when he waltzed past the static Linfield defence on the right wing, cut along the by-line and his right-foot shot was luckily pushed past the post by pensioner(Wanker),sorry Winky, Murphy, for a better if still fruitless corner taken by King. The limping Craiggers was replaced by Wardy, who switched wings with King and suddenly United really sprung to life with Wardy giving Blues defender Aiden O'Kane a torrid time on the right flank. Twice the tiny striker eluded his marker and flashed inviting crosses into the visitors box, but unfortunately no United player could get on the end of them. In a last throw of the dice, Jeffrey took off his 'best player' Carvill, with the 'Halloween man', Paul Munster taking his place. Lee Colligan picked up a somewhat harsh booking when a Linfield player took a flying dive to a late, but not malicious tackle. Stuarty King made way for David Cushley and in the 83rd minute United finally sealed the points with another great move, this time down the right. Wardy, Aiden Watson and Kelbie, seemed to be toying with Linfield's ageing and creaking central defenders before Kelbie ghosted past them to unleash a curling left foot shot which Addis could only help into the net. To say the United fans were delirious, was to make a vast understatement, I personally haven't been so happy since David Healy scored against England at Windsor Park. Shortly afterwards Kelbie was substituted to resounding applause, not just by the home crowd but by Linfield fans as well, no doubt they still hope to lay their 'hands on him', on this display they'd need to at least treble their bid I think. Despite the added 3 minutes of time United ran out worthy winners for their first league win of the season and hopefully the first of many. It was just a pity that the win came at the expense of such sad news, I suppose it just brings things into perspective, football is just a game after all, there 'are' more important things in life!


Blayney 8 Melaugh 8 MoM: Kelbie

Aid Watson 9 Teggart 8

Colligan 9 Kelbie 9

Haveron 8 King 7 Referee: A. Black 4

Alb Watson 8 1st Subs: Wardy 8

Joe McDonnell 8 2nd Sub: Cushley 7

McClean 8 3rd Sub: Getty 7

Ten Scum!

United went to Coleraine as 'whipping boys' for yesterday's game, given their recent league and cup form, but emerged with their heads held high after outplaying the 6th placed team in the league. Of course their habit of leaking goals came back to haunt in what otherwise was a good performance and for once 'lady luck' shone on us as we survived a frenetic last 11 minutes as the home team went for all three points. United manager Roy Walker fielded a strange looking team with Aiden Watson at rightback, Liam Hogan at leftback and Neal Blaney restored in goals. 'Archie' Stewart partnered Albert in the centre of defence and the midfield saw Mark Picking restored on the right wing and Liam Mullan on the left, with Melaugh and club Captain Gary Haveron in the centre. Kevin Kelbie played up front with Neal Teggart, although Kelbie spent most of his time on the left wing, surely a waste of his talents. United won the toss and elected to defend the Town end of this dilapidated ground in the first half. This used to be a great ground for atmosphere, with two sets of fans, who literally 'hate each others guts', separated by 20 yards of 'no-mans land, but since that terracing was considered unsafe, visiting fans are excluded and must either watch from behind the goals or take a seat in the stand, the die-hard United fans watch from behind the goals. United started well and dominated the play, but the midfield were again in a no 'tackle' mood and allowed a few 'scum' players to waltz past them unhindered. The one exception was Captain Gary Haveron, but referee Turkington seemed aggrieved at this and gave a foul almost every time the United Captain went for the ball. Despite Coleraine forcing several corners the United defence was rarely troubled, although keeper Blayney did drop the ball on one occasion, but luckily he recovered quickly. United's best chance of the first period came when Mullan flashed an inviting cross and both Teggart and Picking failed to make contact. United also failed to take advantage of a poor punch from scum keeper Davey 'fat' O'Hare, when a goal looked on the cards. United then picked up two harsh bookings, firstly Picking was hacked down in the box, but the referee cautioned him for 'allegedly' diving and then Haveron was booked after winning the ball fairly and squarely. This booking brought a protest from United manager Roy Walker and 4th official Dessie Loughrey needlessly, in my opinion, brought this to the referee's attention. Halftime was reached with the game scoreless although United were the happier of the two teams.

United stepped up the pressure in the 2nd period and continued to outshine the team 7 places above them in the league table. United almost broke the deadlock five minutes into the 2nd half, when Liam Mullan unleashed a thunderbolt from 35 yards which beat fat Davey all ends up, hit the underside of the crossbar, before allegedly rebounding to safety. United fans including myself wondered if the ball had crossed the goal-line, but we were too far away to tell and had to abide by the referee and linesman's decision. Nine minutes later United got their just rewards when after a foul 25 yards from goal, gave Gary Haveron the chance to exact some revenge on his former team. The United captain's shot cannoned of fat Davey's legs and striker Neal Teggart following up swept the ball into the net. United fans were over the 'blue moon' and who could blame them and the scum looked dead on their feet. United looked as if they might go on and win the game as the home team seemed devoid of ideas, but then the game was turned on it's head when referee Turkington rightly cautioned home striker Gibson for a bad tackle on Aiden Watson and as it was his second yellow card, he was then sent off. Now it was the turn of home manager David Platt to remonstrate, but this time the 4th official seemed happy to let him have his rant. This incident seemed to 'galvanise' the home team, while the Sky Blues seemed to go into their shell, instead of stepping up the pace. Suddenly passes were going astray, tackles were once more being missed and it was surely time for an inspirational move from our manager. What did he do, he took off one of his heroes, Liam Mullan and brought on the man who cannot tackle, Stuarty King. The scum finally got an undeserved equaliser after 82 minutes when the United defence failed to deal with a corner and midfielder Tony Shiels (hopefully he's not related to Kenny), hit a screamer from 20 yards into the top left corner giving Blaney no chance. Shortly afterwards Mark Picking was caught by a late tackle, missed by referee Turkington and was replaced by Lee Colligan. The scum were in the ascendency at this stage and Tolan dragged a shot wide with Blaney scrambling while the United keeper was relieved to see a Stephen Carson shot come off the post. United's sub Colligan was the victim of another late tackle and was replaced by Davitt Walsh. Despite the referee finding 4 minutes of stoppage time, United held out for a deserved point, but I can't help thinking it could and should've been all three!


Blaney 7 Melaugh 5 MoM: Aid Watson

Aid Watson 8 Teggart 7

Hogan 7 Kelbie 6

Haveron 7 Mullan 7 Referee: B. Turkington 4

Alb Watson 7 1st Sub: King 5

Stewart 7 2nd Sub: Colligan 6

Picking 7 3rd Sub: Walsh 6