Gaffes Galore!

Three major gaffes were responsibly for the 'mugging' of United in the Irish cup semi-final at the 'ludicrous' time of 5-30 pm on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Gaffe number one was in United's team selection. United's best back three players are Albert Watson, Mike Smith and Lee Colligan and for the fourth it's pick one from, Kit, Sparky, Gazza or Archie, but Roy in his wisdom chose to pick a back four of, Mike, Albert, Gazza and Archie, a disaster waiting to happen, leaving us very weak on our left flank. Our strongest central midfield pairing are Aiden Watson and Noel Anderson while the likes of Locky, Carsie and Taggart can also fit in there.

Our big midfield problem is in the wide positions and yesterday we had nobody in them. Admittedly Lee Colligan was playing in left-midfield, but Lee is only a leftback, he'll never be a left winger, not while pussy is a cat. Even worse we had nobody wide right at all and even worse or worser nobody on the bench to change that, no Cushley, no George Stewart. On a big pitch like Windsor wide players are a vital part of the equation. Up front we probably got it right with Kelbie and Andy Smith, but once more nobody on the bench to change things, with a choice between Paul McNeil and Sparky. Nathan McConnell seems to have disappeared off the scene completely as has Mackers, which left us with limited striking options.

Despite all these problems, we actually played quite well with nice flowing football although the Ports weren't allowing the game to flow as they tackled hard and often. United's Andy Smith was getting some rough treatment, but on several occasions referee McCourt ignored blatant fouls on the former Ports player. Andy also missed a couple of good opening for United when he twice broke into space on the right. The first time he pulled his cross behind Kelbie and on the second he pulled his cross-cum-shot across the face of goal. The Ports who had had to substitute McCutcheon after barely 15 minutes, missed a sitter when Gazza failed to deal with a through ball and Baker drove a shot wide. United didn't learn from this lapse and O'Hara got past Archie down the right wing and found Baker in space with Gazza leaden footed, but luckily his shot cannoned off the post to safety.

Gaffe number two came in the shape of referee Adrian McCourt, who after cautioning two Ports players for rough play, thereafter allowed them to literally 'kick' us off the park. He also disallowed what looked like a perfectly good goal for United but for what nobody knows. As if to add insult to injury he then allowed Ports forward Baker to foul United keeper Dwayne Nelson as he tried to catch a high ball and when the ball trickled into the net to the complete disbelief of the large contingent of United fans he allowed the goal to stand. Only 150 Portadown fans bothered to make the trip and they could hardly believe their luck. What an indictment the Ports fans showed for the ridiculous starting time and an indication of how fed up fans are with the glut of fixtures now being played.

Referee McCourt harshly cautioned Albert for a handball, but in the 2nd half allowed two opposition players to get away without a booking and in fact ignored one blatant handball completely. United were shell-shocked and it took a few minutes for them to settle after this setback. Halftime was reached with the Ports leading by this controversial goal, but surely Roy must change it I thought.

United returned to warm reception from their fans, who were magnificent throughout the game, but with no changes to their starting line-up. Some United fans were calling for Roy to make changes as United were losing midfield control. Referee McCourt demonstrated his ineptitude once more when Kelbie came in with a strong tackle on the halfway line and a scuffle ensued where Braniff was seen to punch Andy Smith, which somehow resulted in Andy getting a yellow card, but for what. Aiden Watson was kicked by a Ports player, but when he retaliated he got cautioned also, while one Ports player was cautioned.

Worse was to follow when Braniff late tackled Taggart, surely a booking but referee McCourt merely 'ticked' him off, a complete waste of time. United had just been about to make a double substitution but this was delayed as Taggart received treatment. Taggart was unable to continue and United replaced both him and Locky with Kit Ramsay and Anderson, with Ramsay slotting in to right back and Mike Smith being released to wide right. United deservedly got back on level terms when Andy Smith's shot came back to him and he rifled the rebound into the net from close range. United went looking for the winner but the Ports looked dangerous on the break and Nelson was relieved to see a Braniff shot clear his crossbar.

Kevin Kelbie, so often the hero became the villain when he missed a couple of chances and on at least one occasion Lee Colligan was available for a pass. With time slipping away United were trying to get the tie decided, but couldn't find the vital pass. At the start of extra time United manager Roy walker took off Gazza and brought on Sparky, who immediately moved up front which necessitated Ramsay moving to central defence, Mike Smith reverting to right back, a negative move and Andy Smith moving to the right wing, surely switching to a 3,4,3 formation would have been a better option.. United went all-out for it in the first period of added time and Ports keeper Miskelly kept his side in the game with a smart save from Anderson and another from Sparky. After a neat move down the right United should have done better than the weak Kelbie header into Miskelly's arms.

During the second period of added time United looked dead on their feet and the fans tried to lift them with their rapturous applause. United had one last chance right at the end of stoppage time, when Andy Smith released Kelbie, but United's top scorer failed to find the target and the dreaded penalty shoot-out was upon us. This game should have gone to a replay, but the I.F.A. ruled that due to the fixture congestion, both semi-finals would be decided on the day, a fixture congestion that was all the I.F.A.'s doing. I personally detest penalty shoot-outs, but no-one can come up with any other solution to resolve the deadlocked game, so we're stuck with penalties. But having said that we shouldn't have needed them as we had ample chances to make the game safe in normal and extra time.

It was then that the third gaffe came into play and I have no proof of this, just the 'body language' of the players, United didn't in my opinion have a plan for this situation and even though they got off to a great start with Dwayne saving the first kick, there seemed little conviction amongst the players. The first penalty taker was a complete surprise to me, Andy Smith, who had failed so miserable and so crucially on two occasions during the regular season against the Scum and the Glens. Keeper Miskelly got a hand to Andy's shot but it squirmed into the net, 1-0 to United. Nelson was well beaten to level the scores, then came surprise number two, Kit Ramsay was the man and his weak effort was easily saved by the Ports keeper. The Ports scored again to lead 2-1 and Kelbie levelled it at 2-2 with a brilliant kick.

The Ports scored with their next effort and Noel Anderson strode forward to level once more at 3-3. When the Ports 5th exponent scored it meant United were needing to score or they were out of the tie, so who would be entrusted with this vital role. I have to say of all the names going through my head, Archie wasn't one of them and his feeble effort was easily saved by the hero of the day, Ports keeper Miskelly. Archie was inconsolable and I must pay tribute to the United fans who stood and applauded the team off. The players had given their all, but at the end of the day they had been undone but three major gaffes and two of them were firmly of our own doing. The time came for our manager to do his job, but I'm afraid he failed miserably on this occasion and the seasons not over yet!

Nelson (7), M. Smith (7), Archie (6), Albert (7), Gazza (6)(Sub: Sparky 7), Locky (5)(Sub: Anderson 7), Taggart (6)(Sub: Kit 7), Aidy (8),Colligan (7), Kelbie (6), A. Smith (7)

Man of the match: Aiden Watson