Slippery Slope!

United's worst fears were realised today when their abysmal home record reared it's ugly face once more. As expected United went back to the 3,5,2 formation and got off to a dream start when new signing Nathan McConnell was hauled down inside the box with 8 minutes on the clock. A clear penalty although referee Carvill didn't give it but his linesman did and up stepped United Captain Kevin Kelbie to drill the ball into the net. Two minutes later it should've been two when after a Kelbie shot had been blocked McConnell could only fire his follow-up straight at Glenavon keeper Plummer. This was to prove a costly miss as the visitors stepped up the pace and the United defence was under severe pressure. Glenavon forward Molloy picked up a caution for dissent, but then was allowed to get away with a deliberate handball and when the ball broke to his fellow striker Costello he waltzed past three static United defenders before drilling his shot past Blaney to level the scores. United wasted a free kick when Paul Muir could only drive his kick against the Glenavon wall and at the other end Blaney had to be alert to divert a shot from Molloy round the post. When Blaney again saved a McDonagh shot Molloy reacted quickly to give his team the lead with the United defence flat-footed. Luckily United held out until halftime being the one goal behind but they were under severe pressure.

United upped the pressure at the start of the second half but were unable to find the breakthrough as the visitors defence held firm, aided and abetted by some strange refereeing decisions from Carvill. He allowed the Glenavon defenders to dive over the United attackers but when United''s defenders attempted likewise he pulled them up for fouls. He cautioned three United players, but all the bad fouls came from the visitors, one especially vicious from McDonagh worthy of at least a booking, just merited a 'ticking off'. United midfielder David Cushley almost conjured up an equaliser with an audacious overhead kick from 25 yards which just grazed a post. United manager Roy Walker took off McConnell with 25 minutes left and joint top scorer Neal Teggart took his place. Five minutes after coming on Teggart released Kelbie with a neat pass but the United captain failed to find the target from 15 yards, yet another bad miss. Gavin McDonnell made way for Mark Picking, with United reverting to a flat back four. With the game drawing to a close Cushley could only find the side netting after being released by Kelbie, yet another chance gone begging. With 5 minutes remaining Cushley made way for Mike Ward and despite United throwing everybody forward they couldn't find the vital pass that would unlock the visitors defence. They now find themselves a mere 7 points ahead of the bottom team, Dungannon Swifts, with only 7 games remaining and in a real dogfight!


Blaney 7 Aid Watson 7 MoM: Blaney

Wray 7 McConnell 6

Muir 6 Kelbie 7

Smith 7 Cushley 6 Referee: H. Carvill 2

Colligan 7 1st Sub: Teggart 7

McDonnell 6 2nd Sub: Picking 6

Alb Watson 7 3rd Sub: Wardy 6