Red Lead!

If any United fans were undecided about attending the Irish cup semi-final on Saturday April 10, there was nothing on offer yesterday at the Showgrounds which would give any hope of advancement. United were truly pathetic, slipshod in defence, overran in midfield and punchless up front. Manger Roy Walker made two changes to his starting line-up, with Gary Muir, replacing Colligan, who hasn't missed a game all season and Noel Anderson in for Gavin Taggart. Only one United player seemed remotely interested in the game, Aiden Watson. But alas he was powerless to prevent Clark giving Portadown the lead after 4 minutes. The United defence failed to clear their lines and Clarke was allowed time to pick his spot from 20 yards, leaving United keeper Dwayne Nelson well beaten.

When you fall behind the only thing you can do is score yourself and United equalised 5 minutes later, when Mike Smith got his head to a Ramsay cross and nodded the ball into the net. The United fans rose to acclaim this score only to have their cheers choked in their throats as the linesman flagged for an offside. Admittedly it was at the far end of the ground, but it looked to me that Smith was at best level with Ramsay who crossed the ball. But I must believe that the linesman made the correct decision, although later in the game he signalled for a goal to the visitors, when in fact the ball went wide. The remainder of the half was fairly devoid of incident although the visitors came close to adding to their score when O'Hara dragged a shot wide. The other talking point was a harsh booking for Aiden Watson for an innocuous tackle on Clark.

Watson failed to appear for the second period, with Lee Colligan taking his place which necessitated Muir moving to the right wing and Mike Smith moving inside to partner Anderson. United still appeared to be disinterested and none more so than Andy Smith, while new signing Muir has gone completely off the boil. Midway through the half United brought on Cushley and Mackers, taking off Sparky and Anderson, but despite stepping up the pace they couldn't make the vital breakthrough. Andy Smith did manage to force a save from Ports keeper Miskelly and the Cush fired in a vicious shot which the keeper spilled but no United player could reach in time. Mackers missed with a free header and at the other end Baker somehow missed an open goal from 8 yards, although as I said earlier the linesman at that end actually signalled for a goal.

Seven minutes from the end Ports defender Redman scythed down Andy Smith and referee Heatherington immediately flashed the red card. Despite their numerical advantage United couldn't find the telling pass and the visitors held out for a 1-0 win. On this showing United will struggle to overcome the Ports in the semi-final as they were minus at least 3 top players and still were rarely troubled, but as the old saying goes, tomorrow is another day!

Nelson (6), Ramsay (5), Archie (5), Sparky (6) (Sub: Cushley, 7), Gazza (6), M. Smith (7), Aid Watson (7) (Sub: Colligan 7,), Anderson (6) (Sub: Mackers 6,), Muir (5), A. Smith (5), Kelbie (6)

Man of the match: Mike Smith