Rock Bottom!

After this insipid performance against what can only be described as a somewhat ordinary Linfield team, it's obvious that a massive clear-out is required at the Showgrounds. Only four players in United's eleven could hold their heads up and say 'I did my best today' as for the rest, it's time for them to move along and that includes United's joint top scorers . Having said that I'm not sure the quality players are about and United badly need quality players. For some reason known only to himself, United manager Roy Walker gave Mark Picking a starting role in place of David Cushley and Craig McClean slotted in at leftback in place of the injured Lee Colligan. Picking is well past his best and offered little in attack, not that United's two strikers Teggart and Kelbie were greatly interested as I can't remember either seriously testing Linfield keeper Alan Manus. Where was the passion of last Saturday I ask you? This was yet another abject home defeat, where United let in three more goals making a total of 12 conceded at home since the turn of the year. This in stark contrast to their away form where in the same period they conceded only one goal and that was against Saturday's opponents. the story of the match could best be described as a three dive game. Linfield's Paul Munster was the villain of the piece on this occasion. Firstly he took an outrageous 'dive' after 20 minutes as he burst into the box, lost possession and went tumbling over. Referee Mark Courtenay (he of ham shank fame), gave a free kick outside the box, which was a wrong decision on two counts. Firstly it never was a foul and secondly it was well inside the box which should've meant a penalty. Then after 35 minutes Paul Muir lunged towards an unmarked Munster, made no contact, but the blues player went down like a 'sack of spuds' and referee Courtenay duly gave a penalty. Up stepped Jim Ervin to easily beat Blaney from the penalty spot. Ten minutes later Munster took another 'blatant dive' but this time the referee ignored the incident, but surely he should've yellow carded him, yet more inept refereeing. United held out to halftime and we hoped for better fare in the 2nd half.

United did attempt to get back in the game but when blues defender Ervin clearly handled in the box the referee waved away United's protests and just gave a corner. In probably their best move of the game Kelbie fed Aiden Watson but his cross from inside the box wasn't reached by any of United's players. United defender Gavin McDonnell, who has been a tower of strength over the last few games, missed a through ball and Munster looking well offside, ran through and easily beat Blaney from inside the box. That goal came after 64 minutes and when Aiden Watson went down under a heavy challenge manager Walker replaced him and the lack lustre Teggart, with, McConnell and Cushley. This new blood brought nothing to the game and with time ticking away it was the visitors who notched another goal when substitute McHugh latched onto a very short back pass from McDonnell to easily beat the uninterested Blaney. In a last throw of the dice United had brought on Albert Watson in place of McClean but this had no effect as far as I could see. Thankfully there was no more scoring, even though McAllister missed a sitter and was taunted by United fans with chants of, £35,00 for that! Alan Manus was also reminded that his best chance of getting into cross channel football was by catching the Scottish ferry. A dismal end to the first phase and with United's next home game in 3 weeks time against 'Stute, manager Walker will have his work cut-out getting these boys up for that!


Blayney 6 Melaugh 5 MoM: Smith

Wray 5 Teggart 5

Muir 7 Kelbie 5

Smith 7 Aid Watson 7 Referee; M. Courtenay 1

McDonnell 5 1st Sub; McConnell 5

McClean 6 2nd Sub: Cushley 6

Picking 5 3rd Sub: Alb Watson 5