Cutch Answers!

Cutch answered the doubters yesterday with a thoroughly professional display and Spike has to be delighted with the wee striker's attitude. Spike gave supporters an indication of his intentions on how to replace Cutch, by throwing on youngsters, Jamie Davidson and Neil Lowry in the last quarter of the match. United took the field in front of the sparse crowd of travelling fans, with the same eleven that started the Carrick match. Speculation had been rife that Elvis would be dropped on account of his two glaring 'misses' at Seaview. But he stayed in and I think justified his inclusion, giving Glenavon defender Convery a torrid time. He's not a target man, but he tries and he is a nuisance, although his touch invariably lets him down. Yesterday was no exception for him, with misplaced passes and hopeless crosses and when he did get a shot at goal, 'fat' Davey O'Hare was equal to it. United's first chance fell to Cutch, but his free kick from 30 yards cleared the crossbar without troubling the keeper.

United's twin centre-halves, Cookie and Taylor were more than a match for the Glenavon forwards and Cookie's complete domination over the ageing Tony Grant (who admits to being 99 years-old), was lovely to see. Sure Grant was able to 'con' referee Hetherton on a couple of occasions, claiming he was fouled, but even the referee began to ignore his histrionics. The referee, on the other hand completely ignored Cutch being fouled on 7 out of 10 occasions. I know he doesn't challenge for high balls, but that doesn't mean he can fouled 'willy nilly'. Despite some robust tackles from the home team the referee seemed reluctant to flourish his yellow cards, while booking five United men for what can only be described as innocuous tackles. He even booked Gavin for changing his boots without asking permission, surely he should have used some common sense here.

United took a deserved lead in the 29th minute, when a Cutch shot from 25 yards took a slight deflection off defender Magee beating the despairing dive from fat Davey. United were rampant after this goal and it was no surprise when they increased their lead. From a corner from the left, Jenks completely miskicked and Taylor who picked up the loose ball was tripped by defender Magee. Ally set the ball on the spot as Cutch was limping but the wee man would have none of it and stepped up to slot the ball in the corner of the net. United were two up and they should've been more considering their near total dominance of a lack lustre home side. Not having a fourth official I think, or just him not having a board, we were indebted to the announcer telling us there would one minute of additional time.

2nd half
Home player-manager Gary Hamilton came on as a sub in the 2nd half and tried to gee his team up. But the first chance fell to United as Ally 'missed' from 8 yards out with the goal at his mercy. That shot epitomised many chances United frittered away in the 2nd period which kept the match alive when it should've have dead and buried. Jenks who timed his runs to perfection could have had a hat-trick, although he was denied by fat Davey with a brilliant save at point blank range on one occasion. Glenavon despite subjected us to pressure from free kicks, never looked like scoring and Cookie and Taylor were our tower of strengths. Rodgers and Black were playing their part to and Dwayne despite messing up with one corner wasn't going to be beaten. Elvis was giving Convery a torrid time and how the home player did not go in the referee's book I'm sure I don't know.

Midway through the half Elvis made way for Jamie Davidson and I was disappointed for Elvis for I thought he had played well, but we need to blood the youngsters. The home team almost got a foothold in the match but Dwayne pulled off a great save from a point blank shot. At the other end Davidson cut inside and curled a shot on fat Davey's goal, but the keeper catapulted across goal to parry the ball, a tremendous save. The ball fell to Cutch who picked out Rory lurking in the six-yard box and he bleanged the ball over the bar, a glaring miss. Spike made his last sub, Lowry for Gavin and he looked lively when he come on. The referee booked Dwayne for time wasting and finally booked Convery of the home team. Despite the four added minutes, the home team could get a foothold in the match and I was amazed when they announced their 'man of the match' was Tony Grant, surely it was fat Davey, he had after all kept them in the match single-handedly!

Nelson (8), Rodgers (7), Black (7), Cookie (8), Taylor (8), Rory (6), Gavin (7)(Sub: Lowry 6,), Jenks (7), Ally (6), Elvis (7)(Sub: Davidson 7,), Cutch (8)

Man of the match: Cookie Munster