Class Apart!

There's one thing about Sky Blue Sport, we are opinionated and don't mind letting folks know how we feel. We have championed the case for Marty Quinn being the United manager to anybody who would listen and to others who refused to listen, all to no avail. The United board in their wisdom (or foolhardiness), have first went for Tommy Wright (an unmitigated disaster) and now Roy Walker. Walker has done quite well, after a disastrous start, but then again that start was down to his poor management, but I wonder if he's just been out of the game too long and he's lost his edge. Let's take today's defeat as a prime example, picture the scene if you will, United had just taken the lead, a deserved lead in my opinion, when Glenavon manager Marty Quinn brought on two substitutes and changed to a 3,5,2 formation. Glenavon then began to subject us to severe pressure and it was obvious to all and sundry that our defence was about to crack. A change was needed, but our manager did nothing and we subsequently, deservedly it must be said, lost by two goals to one. It's these type of decisions that set the 'class managers' apart from the 'also rans' and it's why we'll still be searching for that elusive trophy for a few more years I think. As for today's match, the usual inept refereeing was in contrasting evidence, referee Michael McLaughlin cautioned David Cushley for a block tackle and then allowed Tony Grant to get away with kicking United's keeper Sean O'Neill on the head. Luckily for O'Neill and United the keeper was able to continue after intensive treatment. Midway through the half grant had to be substituted with Molloy taking his place and he soon found his range and tested O'Neill with a rasping shot which the young keeper did well to parry for a corner. At the other end Cushley forced Plummer into a save with a well struck free-kick from 35 yards. United were almost undone when Molloy was allowed to continue his run after being originally offside, but O'Neill pulled off a marvellous save from point blank range to keep the game scoreless.

Nine minutes into the 2nd half United took a deserved lead when Cushley found Teggart on the edge of the box and the striker fired past Plummer, who although he got his hands to the ball couldn't prevent it going into the net. United then spurned a couple of good chances to increase their lead, Cushley in one case firing over when a score looked imminent, before paying the ultimate price when the home team deservedly took the points. The United defence had survived a couple of scares, leaving players unmarked in the box, but their benevolence was finally punished when McDonagh rose unchallenged to head home a corner in the 77th minute. Still no reaction from the United bench and 3 minutes later Costello was given the 'freedom of the park' before controlling a Molloy pass and shooting past O'Neill. Five minuted later United fans and players were on their feet when a Cushley shot from the left wing caught Plummer unawares and he appeared to carry the ball over the goal-line, but according to the linesman it was no goal and he had a better view than I had. With time ticking away, Rip van Winkle, sorry Roy Walker, finally made a change taking off Mike Ward and bringing on Paul McNeill, change for changes sake. United despite forcing a corner couldn't make the basic delivery (past the first man)and so they lost their 3rd game in a row. Roll on the end of the season, it can't come a moment too soon!

O'Neill 7 Aid Watson 6 MoM: Teggart

Smith 7 Teggart 7

Colligan 6 Kelbie 6

Wray 6 Cushley 6 Referee: M. McLaughlin 2

Alb Watson 7 1st Sub: McNeill 6

Haveron 6

Ward 6