Black Sabbath!

Yet another three points were frittered away by United at Shamrock park today. The Sky Blues passed up two good chances of taking the lead in the first half and then paid the ultimate price for slack marking at a set-piece and then a linesman who failed to raise his flag when a striker was clearly offside a minute from time. United had started well with Darren Lockhart and Phillip Carson in centre midfield, ably backed up by Aiden Watson and Lee Colligan on the wings, they looked lively, but with a reluctance to shoot when clear on goal. Referee Alan Black uncharacteristically actually gave a couple of fouls in our favour and when Phillip Carson delivered one of these into the box, Kevin Kelbie was unfortunate to see his back-header rebound off the crossbar. Nathan McConnell should've scored from the rebound but screwed his shot wide, a poor effort. That chance came about 15 minutes into the game and a few minutes later, Archie and Colligan combined down the left and Archie put a cross onto Nathan's head, which he somehow failed to make proper contact with, yet another chance gone begging.

Portadown were playing some nice football but the United defence were keeping them down to long distance shots ably dealt with by keeper O'Neill. Ten minutes before halftime Lockhart limped off to be replaced by Noel Anderson when surely David Cushley would've been the likelier sub. From this point United seemed to lose their grip in midfield and it was no surprise when the home team took a somewhat undeserved lead. Referee Black who had been so lenient with no yellow cards issued to home players despite some heavy tackles soon, showed his true colours when he cautioned Kelbie for a clumsy tackle near the by-line. From the resultant free-kick Archie headed over for a corner, to relieve the pressure somewhat. As this corner came over United failed to cut it out at the near post and O'Hara of Portadown managed to force the ball into the net, yet another goal conceded at a set-piece. This goal came in the 41st minute, and United despite attempting to launch a counter attack, couldn't force a save out of home keeper Miskelly, even with 2 minutes of added time.


The second half was a non-event as the home team blunted the United attack, well as far as we could see stuck behind the goals at the Tandragee end of the ground. Something must be said here, although it will fall on deaf ears, about the ridiculous situation where Portadown have two stands one on each side of the ground, but visiting fans are herded into a stand which is 50 yards behind the goal-line, where the view is diabolical to say the least. Twenty minutes into the half, Rip Van Walker decided to act, taking off Carson and McConnell and bringing on Geordie Stewart and Paul McNeil.

I wonder why Cushley who has scored 5 goals from midfield was left sitting on the bench, surely he would've been a better option than Stewart, who seems completely devoid of confidence and continually ran into trouble. Even when United were given a possible lifeline late in the game with a free kick near the goal-line, Stewart failed to get it past the first defender and the chance was lost. As the home team broke out of defence Aiden Watson missed a tackle on the halfway line and Ports forward Lackey, who looked a 'mile' offside ran through to put the result beyond doubt as he side footed past the stranded O'Neill. Lackey had earlier been involved in one of those unsavoury incidents, which are all too common in the modern game. Aiden Watson had made a fair but hard tackle on the lanky player, but referee Black decided it was a foul and as Lackey lay writhing on the ground, he cautioned the United player. Lackey of course had got what he wanted a player booked and referee Black not for the first time had been duped. United fans were annoyed at the end and some of them made their feeling known to the players in no uncertain terms. I think this was a bit harsh as the players aren't trying to lose, but I 'can' understand the sentiment!

O'Neill (8), M. Smith (7), Archie (7), Alb. Watson (6), Ramsay (6), Aid Watson (8), Lockhart (7) (Sub: Anderson 5), Carson (7) (Sub: Stewart 5), Colligan (6), McConnell (5) (Sub: McNeil 5), Kelbie (6)

Man Of the match: Sean O'Neill