Seeing's Believing!

United manager Roy Walker made two changes to his starting line-up from last Saturday, with Davitt Walsh replacing Mike Ward and Aiden Watson in for the suspended Gavin Melaugh. But the most important change was his tactical switch from a 4,5,1 formation, to a 3,5,2. Tommy Wray, Gav McDonnell and Archie Stewart were the back three, which allowed Lee Colligan and Watson to take up the wing-back positions and Stuarty King to shine in a rare central midfield role alongside Gary Haveron and young Ryan Deans. The other thing that was noticeable today was that United, in their all-black attire, were willing to take a shot at goal. Despite bossing the early part of the game United were unable to open the home team's defence and one incident summed up their luck when a Ryan Dean shot cannoned off Kelbie and wide of the posts with home keeper Tuda Murphy struggling. In fact it was noticeable that United failed to put extra pressure on the home keeper throughout the game, despite the fact that he was struggling with a leg injury and was having dead ball kicks taken by an outfield player. The turning point in the game came after 30 minutes when Aiden Watson attempted to come away with the ball and Glenavon forward Molloy, first obstructed him and then elbowed him, drawing a yellow card from referee Halliday. Before the free kick could be taken the referee was alerted by his linesman and the upshot was that Molloy was red carded, as he allegedly made a rude gesture concerning the referee. United failed to take advantage of their numerical superiority and gave away a silly corner 3 minutes later. As usual our marking was non-existent and Glenavon player Liggett rose unmarked to head his team into the lead. Five minutes later he was again given a free header, but luckily this effort went over the bar. Try as they might United just couldn't seem to get going and halftime was reached with them trailing by a goal to nil.

The much criticised United midfield came good at the start of the 2nd half and the much maligned Stuarty King was at the heart of it. Two minutes into the half Stuarty burst across the box and turned to hit a ground shot which appeared to take a slight deflection before finding the bottom corner of the net. The United fans (well the fifty or so who answered the call and made the journey to Lurgan), were on their feet and why not, sure it's not every day a midfielder scores a goal for us. Five minutes later Kevin Kelbie spurned a great chance to make it two when he screwed his shot wide after bursting through on the left wing. United lost their Captain Gary Haveron with a leg injury in the 55th minute, with David Cushley taking his place. Never has a better substitution been made, when after good work by Kelbie 'the Cush', with his first touch, hammered a left foot shot into the net to send the United fans wild once more. Ryan Deans was helped off after a late tackle in the 63rd minute, with Liam Mullan replacing him. Kelbie spurned another great chance to secure the points, but again missed with a left foot shot, although it was deflected for a corner on this occasion. Then we had one of those bizarre incidents which seem to happen all too often. A home player was injured in a 50/50 tackle and as he lay on the ground the United defence allowed the home team time to kick the ball into touch. With the United defence all pushed up a home player refused to do as requested and instead ran towards the United goal. Luckily for United Archie Stewart saved the day with a good tackle and Colligan finally kicked it into touch so as the player could be treated. Colligan was having a marvellous game and some of his last ditch tackles just had to be seen to be believed. United took off Davitt Walsh in the 70th minute with Paul McNeil taking his place. United had a scare soon after when Blaney dropped a high ball and even though Liggett was again unmarked from the resultant corner the United goal survived. The all-blacks finally clinched the victory 12 minutes from time when Stuarty King burst through the home defence, before squaring the ball for Paul McNeil to slot the ball home.The rest of the game was an anti-climax as United were content to take the ball to the by-line and despite the 4 minutes of stoppage time they held out for a good victory. One bizarre incident happened during this period, when a frustrated home player attempted to head butt United's Kevin Kelbie, which drew a yellow card from the referee, but he also warned the United players saying they shouldn't be trying to draw tackles. Two minutes later the game was over and United had recorded their 2nd away victory of the season and only their second win in the league. It's a start, but they have a long hard slog ahead of them, but let's enjoy it for a week and then we can worry about the next game. As the old saying goes, 'when the going gets tough, the tough get going', let's hope this is such a moment!


Blaney 7 Aid Watson 8 MoM: King

Wray 7 Walsh 7

Colligan 8 Kelbie 7

Haveron 7 King 8 Referee: K. Halliday 4

McDonnell 7 1st Sub: Cushley 7

Stewart 7 2nd Sub: Mullan 7

Deans 7 3rd Sub: McNeill 7

Wallkers Waltz!

After this dismal showing against Institute yesterday, it's hard to see how United manager Roy Walker can hold his job. In fact yesterday could have been his last waltz, in a game where United failed to get even one shot on target, unless you count an early Kevin Kelbie effort which was blocked by a 'Stute defender. United, without top scorer Neal Teggart, chose to go with a lone striker and a 5 man midfield, but even with their numerical advantage their midfield were outplayed by their Londonderry opponents and their defence were under constant pressure. In fact United were indebted to keeper Neal Blaney for three good saves which kept the scores level at the interval, but even he could do nothing with a misdirected back header from Archie Stewart which luckily missed the goal with Blaney standing alongside the young defender. The closest United came to scoring was when a defender's supposed back-header eluded his keeper, hit the post and Mike Ward was unable to score from the rebound, the ball being scrambled for a corner. United experimented with Gavin Melaugh taking their corners, but still got no joy against a well organised 'Stute defence. United came with a flourish on the stroke of halftime, but it was too little too late and referee Ken Ginnet blew his whistle with the game scoreless.

Despite Davitt Walsh, stripping off and looking likely to come on as a sub, United began the half with the same 11 players. The visitors stepped up the pace in the 2nd half and I knew it was only a matter of time before they got the breakthrough. Anyone who reads my column regularly will know that I've been lamenting all season about United's inability to defend set-pieces, or indeed to take advantage of them. So it came as no surprise to me that they were undone at yet another set-piece, when winger Ryan Semple found the head of the unmarked Ogilby and he glanced a header into the net past the flat-footed Blaney. The ball was right in the corner and I marvel at the fact that, we, with the leakiest defence in the league don't put a defender on the post to try and safeguard for such an eventuality. Manger Walker rang the changes after this, but his substitutions seemed strange to put it mildly. First he took off Mike Ward, not the worst player by any means and brought on Walsh, striker for striker. Two minutes later he took off Stuart King, but brought on Mark Picking, a winger for a winger, I thought it would have been better to go with two wingers for a time, but the manager thought different, this of course made no difference whatsoever. In his final throw of the dice, Joe McDonnell came on for young Ryan Deans. Walsh did have a half chance but what looked like a foul by a visiting defender was waved away by referee Ginnet. United picked up three booking in the 2nd half, mostly for dissent, first Kevin Kelbie was cautioned for kicking the ball away after being penalised for an innocuous foul, then Mark Picking picked up a caution for protesting that an Institute defender took a dive, as if they would. The third booking was though by far the most galling. The linesman at the Fisherwick end had been on his toes in the first period, flagging United's forwards when they even looked anywhere near offside, while in the 2nd half he missed four blatant offences. The worst of these occurred in the 84th minute, when a 'Stute player was five yards offside, the linesman ran behind him like a covering defender, as he cut into the box, United captain Gary Haveron, made a great tackle, but looked on in bewilderment when the referee and linesman both signalled for a penalty. Gary picked up a caution as a result of his protestations but some justice was done when Ogilby's spot kick hit the bar and went for a goalkick. Even this couldn't lift the lifeless Sky Blues and they went down without a fight to yet another dismal defeat. The fans frustration was neatly summed up when in the last minute, winger Picking burst down the right and with 3 men in the centre, shot wildly over the bar, what a waste. The two questions on most fans lips as they left the ground was, how long Roy Walker could last in the job and what way do you go to get to Dergview?


Blaney 7 Melaugh 5 MoM: Blaney

Wray 5 Deans 5

Colligan 6 Kelbie 6

Haveron 6 King 6 Referee: K. Ginnett 3

Gav McDonnell 5 1st Sub: Walsh 5

Stewart 6 2nd Sub: Picking 5

Ward 6 3rd Sub: Joe McDonnell 5



Blaney

Crangle Wrangle!

Referee Crangle was the central character in today's game at Stangmore Park, as he set about flourishing yellow cards at United players, whether deserved or not and then ignoring a blatant penalty in the dying minutes of the game. I wonder if I'm alone in this opinion, but to my mind ever since they got their wage increase, referees have got ever worse. There was little between United and Dungannon Swifts today, that was until Timmy Adamson left his studs in Albert Watson's knee and play was held up for 17 minutes while we waited on an ambulance to take Albert to hospital for a suspected broken leg, with Gavin McDonnell taking his place. Not only did Adamson get off without a caution, no foul was given and in fact play got under way with a throw-in to United. United won a free kick almost immediately and Kevin Kelbie's floated free kick found the unmarked Tommy Wray who headed over the bar when it looked easier to score. Referee Crangle cautioned Kevin Kelbie for what can best be described as an innocuous challenge and then Aiden Watson also found his way into the ref's notebook for a somewhat late tackle. United spurned another glorious chance to take the lead when Gavin Melaugh failed to make contact inside the six-yard box, when a touch was all that was needed. Stuarty King then forced a good save from home keeper Nelson after a Kelbie shot had been blocked. Melaugh became the third United player to get cautioned and it looked as if the referee had a vendetta against United players. United keeper Neal Blayney rescued his side when a McAllister cross found Adamson, but the United keeper managed to block the shot. As if to emphasis the referee's bias, Tommy Wray was caught by a late tackle from Adamson as he cleared the ball but the referee took no action. Halftime was reached with the scores level, but United fans knew their team could and should've been in front, having missed two sitters.

Four minutes into the second half Aiden Watson mistimed another tackle and was promptly sent off by referee Crangle, a harsh decision, but what I expected from this 'inept' official. United were in disarray for the next 10 minutes and the home side reaped full advantage when a shot from right-back Mullen deflected off United Captain Gary Haveron and into the net to give the home team a totally undeserved lead after 57 minutes. Manager Walker decided a change was needed and took off both wingers, King and Picking, with Mike Ward and young Ryan Deans taking their place. The United goal led a bit of a charmed life as the home side laid siege while Neal Blayney distinguished himself with a couple of good saves. With 81 minutes on the clock United got a somewhat undeserved lifeline, when young Deans found Kelbie with a delightful through pass. The United striker skilfully turned his man before swerving the ball with a neat dipping shot which home keeper Nelson managed to get a hand to and as the ball dropped United's top scorer Neal Teggart forced it over the line to level the scores at 1-1. It looked like United had salvaged a point, but the home side won a couple of corners in succession and from the second of these central defender McMinn forced the ball over the line to give his side a 2-1 lead. That goal came in the last minute of normal time and and then deep in stoppage we had a horrendous 'gaffe' by referee Crangle. United's Lee Colligan had lost the ball in the opponents box and when he tried to chase back a home defender tried to block him and then when that failed threw a punch at him. United manager Roy Walker 'blew a fuse' when referee Crangle took no action and in fact sent the United manager off for his protestations. This was the last straw for some of the United players and there were quite a few heavy tackles made during the last gasps of this match, but the end result was the same, United had dropped yet another three points and fell further adrift at the bottom of the table.

Blayney 8 Melaugh 5 MoM: Blayney

Wray 6 Teggart 7

Colligan 7 Kelbie 6

Haveron 7 King 5 Referee: Crangle 0

Alb Watson 7 1st Sub: Gav McDonnell 6

Aid Watson 6 2nd Sub: Ward 6

Picking 5 3rd Sub: Deans 7

Shameful Sixth!

United suffered the ignominy of their sixth home defeat in the league during their first ever televised game, live on Sky Sports. Manager Walker made just one change from his starting line-up from last Tuesday night, Albert Watson replacing the 'tired' Gavin McDonnell. United got off to a bright start in front of their biggest 'home' gate for some time, with Kevin Kelbie forcing ex-United keeper Paul Murphy to make a good save from his crisp shot. But it was the home side who 'leaked' the first goal, when a forward pass ricocheted of a United player before falling into Newry fullback King's path and he blasted the ball past United's keeper Neal Blaney. That goal came in the 10th minute and it rocked United back on their heels, as the visitors made good use of the strong wind at their backs. Keeper Blaney kept United in the game with a good dive at Garret's feet as the young striker looked likely to score. United were devoid of ideas going forward although Gavin Melaugh had a drive which sailed over the bar with Murphy grasping vainly.The visitors piled on the pressure especially at set-pieces but the United defence kept the score at 1-0 until halftime.

United got off to a horrendous start in the 2nd half giving away a needless free kick within a minute of the re-start. Luckily they survived this time but 6 minutes later striker Morgan capitalised on some inept defending before beating Blaney with a shot just inside the post. Four minutes later the 'dose' was repeated but this time it was Garrett who burst through to virtually put the tie beyond United with his sides' third goal, almost a carbon copy of their second. Manager Walker at last reacted, taking off fullback Burke and winger Mullen, with Aiden Watson and Paul McNeill taking their place. Watson slotted into the rightback slot but young McNeill, an 'out and out' striker was pushed onto the right wing with, Stuarty King switching to the left. United got a lifeline after 65 minutes when a Stuarty King free kick was glanced into the net off the head of Teggart to make the score 3-1. Five minutes later we witnessed an inept display of refereeing by Colin Burns, when a Newry Player 'clearly' punched Joe McDonnell after the two players tangled as the Newry man shepherded the ball over the goal-line. With 15 minutes left manager Walker took off McDonnell and brought on Mark Picking, releasing McNeill to a more natural forward role.l United went into attack mode and for the first time the visitors looked 'jittery'. Young McNeill almost set the game alight, when he pushed a Kelbie cross past the post when a score looked on, while at the other end Blaney and Aiden Watson somehow managed to keep a Garret shot out when a score looked inevitable. United did manage to get another goal when Kelbie was fouled about thirty yards from goal, up stepped Neal Teggart to rifle the ball into the net. To the complete consternation of the home fans the 4th official intimated that there would be just two minutes of stoppage time, even though there had been two stoppages for injuries, plus 5 substitutions. United won a free kick when Picking was violently fouled on the edge of the box, but not for the first time King's delivery eluded the home team's attackers and a minute later the tie was all over. United had once more 'flopped' in front of a good crowd, but more importantly they'd stayed rooted to the bottom of the table and on this showing they deserve to be there!

Blaney 8 Joe McDonnell 7 MoM: Blaney

Burke 6 Teggart 8

Colligan 7 Kelbie 7

Alb. Watson 6 King 6 Referee: C. Burns 3

Haveron 6 1st Sub: McNeill 6

Melaugh 6 2nd Sub: Aid Watson 7

Mullen 5 3rd Sub: Picking 7

Fat-arsed Fans!

For the first leg of the C.I.S. cup the board of Ballymena thought they would reward their 'long suffering' fans by allowing season ticket holders in free. Tonight at the Oval those same fans threw that generosity back in their face by sitting on their collective 'fat arses' while their team tried valiantly to overcome a 3-1 deficit. I didn't physically count the exact number of United fans at the Oval tonight, but I'd be surprised it it was more than 25. These fans are the 'true' United supporters, everybody else is only a 'hanger on'. We have three supporters clubs in the town and they couldn't even get together to organise transport to the match, a sad reflection on themselves I think. Now to the match, United were forced to make one change to their starting line-up from last Saturday, with Tommy Burke coming in for the injured Aiden Watson. United had the better of the opening exchanges, but once the home team broke I was worried as the linesman at that end of the ground was never up with play and missed two blatant offsides in the first 20 minutes. Finally the home team capitalised on this benevolence, when Waterworth two yards behind the United line was allowed to run through and score with the linesman only getting level with him after the event. How the home team didn't add to their tally is beyond me as this official missed three more clear offsides, two of which happened in the same move. The United defence, ably marshalled by 'tower of strength' Gary Haveron (voted player of the month for October by the Seven Towers Supporters club, where were they tonight I wonder?), dealt fairly well with the Glens attacks and supported their forwards when the occasions came along. Stuarty King, who seems to have got a new lease of life lately, was tearing up the right wing and causing the 'creaky' home defence some problems. Despite winning several corners United couldn't manage to open the home defence sufficiently in order to score. Halftime was reached with United trailing by a goal to nil and 4-1 on aggregate.

The second-half kicked off at 20-49 and what an exhilarating 43 minutes it turned out to be. I say 43 minutes as referee Keith Halliday supposedly played 3 minutes of stoppage time, after the game was held up for approximately 2 minutes and 17 seconds, when a home player was supposedly injured, plus we had 5 substitutions during this period which should have meant a minimum of 5 minutes of stoppage time. The game was over at 21-35 and even my mathematics make that only 46 minutes in total at least 4 minutes too little. But I digress, 8 minutes into the 2nd half United got a lifeline when after good play, Mullan found Teggart with a good pass and the big forward wriggled past Glens defender Leeman before smacking it past Elliot Morris. This was the lift United needed and they came forward with renewed confidence and Stuarty King swept past the sluggish home defenders, but was unable to find a United player with his cross. The Glens stepped up the pressure forcing a couple of corners and from one of these United keeper Neal Blaney launched a long clearance towards Stuarty King. It looked like Glens ball but as Stuarty hassled a Glens player he clearly handled the ball but the linesman said it was accidental. Midway through the half United made a substitution, with Gavin McDonnell making way for Tommy Wray, according to reports McDonnell was 'tired'. United didn't allow this change of personnel to affect their rhythm and they soon forced a corner down their left flank. Stuarty swung over a perfect inswinger and Elliot morris clattered into one of his own players and Gary Haveron prodded the ball into the net. Alas our celebrations were short-lived as the referee ruled the goal out supposedly for a foul on the keeper, yet another miscarriage of justice. Then we had a ludicrous decision by the linesman, flagging either Kelbie or Teggart offside, when they were clearly in their own half when the ball was played. Manager Walker took off Joe McDonnell with Walsh coming on and shortly afterwards Morris bundled him over in the box, as clear-cut a penalty as I ever seen, but ignored by referee Halliday. Walsh was unlucky shortly afterwards when in attempting to get to a through pass, he inadvertently trod on the ball, what a goal that would've been. Then we had the incident where a home player went down injured in his own penalty box, while his own team-mates played on. When the ball eventually went dead the referee held up play while he ran from one end of the field to another, checked on the player, summoned the physio and after the physio had examined him he then gave the home team about 30 seconds to try and get their sub on, before waving play on, a total of almost two and a half minutes. With one minute of normal time remaining United did get the winning goal, when Stuarty King, cut along the by-line before beating Morris with a daisy cutter. Roy Walker wasted some of the precious stoppage time by taking Mullen off and bringing on McNeil, but United were unable to find the goal that would have taken the game to extra-time. Now maybe if the referee had played the proper 45 minutes plus stoppage time, we never know what might have happened. United were applauded by their paltry band of supporters, their efforts deserved a bigger audience. Now when this game is talked about as it will by those who were there, it'll be with a damming condemnation of those who weren't!


Blaney 8 Joe McDonnell 7 MoM: Haveron

Burke 7 Teggart 8

Colligan 8 Kelbie 8

Haveron 9 Mullen 7 Referee: K. Halliday 3

Gav McDonnell 7 1st Sub: Wray 7

Melaugh 7 2nd Sub: Walsh 7

King 8 3rd Sub: McNeill 7

Long Drawn!

Like last Saturday's game at Ballyskeagh, this one had one goal written all over it. It wasn't that Cliftonville and Ballymena weren't putting in the effort, it just was one of those games where defences were largely on top and the surface wasn't conducive to good football. Cliftonville have built a new stand at the 'home' end of the ground, constructed toilets at the away end, but have neglected the most important part the playing surface. United began the game with one man back after injury, one back after being 'rested' and one back after suspension. Gary Haveron returned after serving a one game suspension, Neal Teggart returned after injury and Liam Mullen after being rested. Alongside Gary at central defence was the forgotten man, Gavin McDonnell, getting a recall in place of the injured Albert Watson, the rest of the team were unchanged. To say I didn't see much of United's forward play in the first period is to make a gross understatement. We were so far away from the goal the home team were defending that we would've needed binoculars to keep track of the action. Former player Dessie Loughrey didn't take long to get 'in our bad books', giving a couple of dodgy decisions to the home team. There wasn't much between the teams in the first half although United were subjected to a wee bit of pressure, when the home team forced a couple of corners, luckily for United their shooting was nothing special. At the other end Stuarty King should've at least forced their keeper to make a save when he broke through, but his shot screwed well wide of the goals. Teggart also done well down the right, getting a cross into the box, but Kelbie's shot was easily saved by Red's keeper Connolly. Halftime was reached with the teams all square and we hoped for better in the 2nd period.

United began the 2nd half in a more determined mood and were denied a 'cast iron' penalty when after Kelbie chested a through pass down, central defender O'Hara put his shoulder into the United striker's back flooring him in the process. Referee Loughrey indicated that in his opinion it was shoulder to shoulder, come on Dessie, who do you think you're kidding? United kept up the pressure and in the best move of the game, Gavin Melaugh took a return pass from Kelbie, before firing a crisp shot goalwards, only for Connolly to make an acrobatic save. Then Joe McDonnell blazed wildly over the bar when the ball was laid back to him on the edge of the box. At the other end United had a narrow escape when a Scanlon shot hit the post when it looked easier to score. With 15 minutes remaining the home team made a couple of changes taking off Conor Downey and Rory Hamill and laid siege to United's goal. We rode our luck at this stage and got away with a couple of rash tackles in the box and seemed unable to relieve the pressure as the home team were picking up every loose ball. During this time Gavin and Gary kept their cool ably abetted by Aiden and Lee, keeping the home team at bay. The home team did manage to get the ball in the net, but it was 'ruled' out for a foul on the keeper, I have my doubts, it looked to me like he dropped it. Aiden Watson went off injured with 5 minutes remaning with Tommy Wray taking his place and with the match drifting into stoppage time, Stuarty King was replaced by Paul McNeill. In the end United held out for a point, better than nothing I suppose, but still seeking that elusive 2nd league win!


Blaney 7 Joe McDonell 6 MoM: Haveron

Aid Watson 7 Teggart 7

Colligan 7 Kelbie 7

Haveron 8 King 6 Referee: D. Loughrey 4

Gav McDonnell 7 1st Sub: Wray 6

Melaugh 7 2nd Sub: McNeill 6

Mullen 6