Armagh's Da's!

United proved tonight that they surely like the conditions in the County of Armagh, with this their second successive win in the orchard County. Glenavon, unbeaten before tonight, were undone by the Sky Blues with just 8 minutes on the clock. United had made just one change to their starting line-up of six days earlier at Shamrock Park, Portadown, with Rory Carson replacing George Young. United continued their ploy of playing Cutch up front on his own backed up by a 5 man midfield. Glenavon showed some early touches, but the United back-four, in which Denver Gage was outstanding dealt easily with them, before deservedly taking the lead through top scorer Gary McCutcheon.

Gavin Taggart, revelling in his midfield role saw his shot deflect off Stuarty King's nose (forgive me for a bit of poetic licence here), before Cutch placed a delightful header beyond the outstretched arms of home keeper Plummer. This goal set the United band rolling and they continued to take the game to the league leaders, with debutant Rory Carson involved in most moves. Trevor Molloy (Molly Malone to United followers), showed a nice bit of dribbling skill, but luckily for the Sky Blues he shot over the bar. Soon after the wee Dubliner sped onto a Grant knock down but United keeper Nelson, came out to block his shot, which in any case was aborted by the linesman's flag for offside.

As United tried to exert some pressure themselves, Rory Carson was felled by a high tackle and referee Malcolm took no action against the culprit and in fact wouldn't allow the United physio to attend to the player, who was obviously dazed. Finally the 'penny dropped' for Malcolm and he allowed the United physio to lead the player to the sidelines and administer the smelling salts. A late tackle by Grant and seconds later a deliberate push on Denver Gage were overlooked by the referee. But ten minutes before halftime he booked United's Nathan Handley for a high tackle on Molly Malone and even though the player 'milked' the situation, it was obvious that he was unhurt.

Dwayne Nelson, who had one of his better games, completely mishit an attempted clearance and was happy to see the follow-up shot drift wide of his posts. Despite renewed pressure from the home side United easily held out until halftime, although Grant somehow missed with a free header and then when he finally managed to get one over the keeper's head, Gage was there with a clearing header which went over the bar for a corner. Halftime was reached with United still leading by a solitary one goal.

2nd Half!

United, as at Portadown, made one change at half-time, with Gibbo coming on for the injured Carson, still feeling we had a real chance. Gibbo gives us a more balanced side and is a real target man, which in turn allows the midfielders to get up in support of the front two. United looked good on the break, while the home team stepped up the pace and Nelson had to be alert to thwart renewed pressure on his goal. His two lieutenants, Albert and Denver, were in tip top form, ably backed up by Archie and Sparky. Still the home team were finding a lotta space down that right hand side and Nelson came to our rescue several more times with some nice saves and a telling block by Albert when the keeper was stranded.

Captain Gazza came on for Mo and soon after Cutch almost doubled our lead when his cheeky back-heel from a Taggart free-kick, appeared to go over the line but was not given. Next to go was a strangely quiet Nathan Hanley, with Lee Colligan taking his place. United were firmly on the back foot now and the home team threw everything including the kitchen sink at us, but through good fortune and good defensive work, we managed to survive, but only just! Nelson was subjected to some late challenges, ignored for the most part by referee Malcolm, but even he had to acknowledge a trip on the impressive Mike Smith as he cut inside late-on.

United were looking for the insurance goal and it finally arrived three minutes before the final whistle. There had been a few false dawns, but this one was worth waiting on as Taggart fed Mike Smith and he cut inside before giving a slide-rule pass to the inrushing Gibbo, who duly crashed the ball into the net and opened his United scoring account in the process. The fans, myself included were in raptures and it was as if we had actually won something, not just added another three points. despite referee Malcolm's added 3 minutes, the Sky Blues held out although Nelson had to be alert to turn a McDonagh shot round the post. A minute later the final whistle sounded and United had won yet another game away from home, roll on our match away to the Crues next Tuesday night, I can hardly wait!

Nelson (8), Sparky (8), Archie (8), Albert (8), Gage (9), M.Smith (8),Carson (7)(Sub: Gibbo 8), Taggart (8), Hanley (8)(Sub: Colligan 7), Mo (7)Sub: Gazza 7), Cutch (8)

Man of the match: Denver Gage