Blue Circle!

Last season Glenavon came to the Showgrounds early in the season and ran out 3 nil winners, outplaying the Sky Blues in the process. Last night it was a 'repeat' as Glenavon once more put the sky Blues to the sword winning by 3 goals to nil. After the euphoria of a victory against league champions Glentoran, United and their fans came down to earth with a massive thud. In many ways the seal was set before a ball was kicked, when the United manager opted to start with Ormo in place of the more versatile Cushley, in an otherwise unchanged starting line-up. United had the first real chance when Colligan found Andy Smith with a deep cross and his header drew a good save from the giant Tuda Murphy. Soon after this United keeper Kerr slipped and had to receive extensive treatment from the physio.The first Glenavon goal came in the 25th minute when after Carson needlessly handled a high ball, Molloy's free kick deflected off a United defender leaving Kerr helpless. United were under the cosh at this stage and matters weren't helped when former player She[a] Campbell 'took a dive' to earn a free kick which brought Roy Walker rushing to the touchline to confront the sleeket Campbell. The United midfield where being completely dominated by the visitors and it was obvious that United needed something new at halftime.

Alas the teams resumed with the same personnel and the match was taken away from United 4 minutes into the second period. Not for the first time the United players 'fell asleep' and allowed the opposition to take a quick corner, bad and all as this was what followed was even worse. A Glenavon player was allowed to waltz into the area and square the ball to Tony Grant who managed to score at the 2nd attempt. The paltry few Glenavon supporters who made the trip, about 120 at the most, were besides themselves with joy. I know this game was carried over from the Saturday as it was 'black Saturday', but if United had expected a good 'gate' from visiting supporters they were disappointed and it's indicative of all supporters apathy as regards mid-week games. United manager Roy Walker finally made a change with Noel Anderson making way for Cushley, but Ormo somehow stayed on. Cushley did manage to get a couple of shots, one from a free kick on target but Murphy dealt easily with them. United's ineptitude in front of goal was aptly summed up when a Carson free kick was missed by three players when only a touch was needed. In a last throw of the dice the United manager took off Kelbie, who was admittedly way below par and brought on McConnell, but surely a better move would have been to go to three at the back and go with 3 strikers. Glenavon wrapped up the points when the defence once more allowed a player to get to the byline and cross for former player Stuarty 'Pinocchio' King to sidefoot the ball into the net. King then took off like a madman, almost as if he had scored the winning goal in the world cup. When I think of the 3 seasons King spent mostly kicked his heels at the Showgrounds his display beggars belief. As if to prove United's luck was completely out two incidents occurred in the closing stages. Firstly Darren Lockhart was booked when Glenavon forward Costello took a blatant dive and the linesman right beside the incident flagged for a non-existent foul. Then Nathan McConnell got to the byline and put in a cross which Murphy came for and missed and Cushley drove it across goal and Carson applied the fishing touch only for the goal to be ruled out by the same official for offside. This of course was impossible as Cushley was at best level with McConnell and therefore couldn't be offside and Carson came in to score from an on-side position, just our luck. Thankfully referee Carville, who was totally inept throughout, blew up before United could receive any more punishment.


Kerr [6], M. Smith [5], Colligan [5], Surgenor [5], Alb. Watson[5], Ormo [4], Carson [5], Lockhart [5], Anderson [5], [Sub: Cushley, 6], A. Smith [6], Kelbie [5], [Sub: McConnell, 6).


Man of the match: Andy Smith