King Tony!

United manager Spike made two changes from his starting line-up of last Saturday, Marky McCullagh at rightback, therefore realising Tony K to midfield and Archie came in for Mike Ruddy at leftback and he dropped down to the bench. Gavin Taggart was either dropped or injured, I don't know which and Dwayne Nelson made the bench along with our three strikers. I'll admit I was worried when I saw we had gone into the game with no strikers again and we had 4 central defenders in our line-up, but it turned to be all part of the Fergie plan. I don't know whether we won the toss, but we kicked-off attacking the Farm Lodge end which meant we would have been attacking our favourite goals at the Fisherwick end in the 2nd half.

In an exclusive interview with Sky Blue Sport, a Ballymena United legend has stated that teams in England only get the first shot goal on average after 25 or 30 mins. Just 4 mins was on the clock when our talisman, Cush, tried a shot, not on target it has to be said, but I consoled myself that it was just a sighter. When United won a free-kick about 30 yards from goal and out on the right Cush lined up a shot and duly scored to give United the lead. I think the ball took a slight deflection of the Ports 'wall', but Ports keeper David Miskelly (the Dave O'Hare lookalike, fat basket), let the ball through his legs and into the net. With Tony K orchestrating everything in midfield, United took a stranglehold on the match, but continued to fritter away chances.

Captain Jenks, who led the 'line' brilliantly it has to said, had a chance to increase United's lead, but after good build-up play,his effort was blocked. Archie at leftback was linking up well with Cush and Ally and United looked destined to add to their lead. Little was seen of the Ports as attacking force, the United midfielders didn't give them any-time to settle on the ball. The fit again Thommo was back to his best, shrugging away defenders and carrying the ball out of defence. Sparky was revelling in his role in central midfield and his link-up play with Tony K was a thing to behold. Tony K released Jenks after 20 mins and although Miskelly in the Ports goal advanced, I thought Jenks should have scored, but the keeper got his hand to the ball and diverted it away for a corner.

Ally was unlucky to be adjudged offside after a slick passing move which involved the whole team almost and how did Cookie Munster get up-field like a marauding winger two mins later. In a spell of Ports pressure, our keeper, Stuarty Addis, came to our rescue when he managed to save a Twig effort with his foot. Twig had another effort two mins later, but his downward header was easily saved by Addis. Despite their fearsome strike force, the Ports it has to said were disappointing, but that's not to take anything away from this United performance. This was epitomised by Sparky trying a half volley about 35 yards from goal, which if had been on target would have embarrassed Miskelly again. With halftime approaching Cush nearly increased our lead with a shot, only for Miskelly to make a great save. Referee Ross Dunlop added a minute of time at the end of the 45 and United went in with a slender one goal lead.

2nd half
Unlike last Saturday I was quite happy when United took the field with the same personnel and they started this half as they had finished the first, on attack. Tony K tried a shot which Miskelly managed to turn round the post, but not convincingly and 10 mins later Tony received a pass from Jenks, bounded into the Ports box and found the unmarked Sparky, who in turn scored to give United a 2-0 lead. Portadown boss Ronnie McFall brought off Captain Kevin Braniff, who showed his displeasure by throwing his jersey down in disgust, unrest in the camp methinks. Referee Ross Dunlop, riled United fans with blowing for fouls and stopping promising moves, instead of playing the advantage and he never took any names, despite the Ports fouling at every opportunity. He finally booked McCaffrerty of Ports in 70 mins after letting him off with two or three dubious tackles earlier. Cush found space on the right and tried to curl a shot beyond Miskelly, but the keeper pulled off a magnificent save to deny the United talisman.

Then in 75 mins Cush was upended in the box by Friars of Ports and despite not getting treatment, the ref decided he should go off and not come on till he got a signal from the ref, that rule went over my head. Despite the foul being clearly in the box, United got a free-kick outside and Friars got booked and had to be helped off. Just for good measure, the ref booked Sparky, 3 mins later but what that was for I've no idea, maybe it was for Sparky hammering the pitch in frustration, could that be like a tennis player hitting his racquet off the court surface, I'll have to get a ruling on that one. Sparky was subbed almost immediately with Mario taking his place, allowing Captain Jenks to drop into midfield. United retreated into their shell somewhat at this juncture and the Ports came more into the game but the United defence held firm.

With 4 mins to go United scored the best goal of the night, when Thommo shrugging off defenders, carried the ball all of fifty yards, before striking a sweet left foot shot past Miskelly and into the net and in the process sparking off celebrations in the meagre Showgrounds crowd. With 2 mins to go Captain Jenks came off to a standing ovation with Ruddy taking his place and on the stroke of 90 mins Cush burst into the Ports penalty, only to be upended by Miskelly. Referee Dunlop merely booked the culprit and Ally stepped up to send Miskelly the wrong with the resultant penalty to give United a 4-0 lead. Despite 3 mins of added time there was no further scoring and United had reached their 2nd semi-final this season and the draw will be made this Saturday on radio Ulster before 3 o'clock. It was an emphatic victory it has to said, but its back to the nitty gritty of the league on Saturday and we'll need that enthusiasm against our opponents Ards if we are to climb up the league table at their expense!


Addis (8), Marky (7), Archie (8), Cookie (8), JT (8), Tony K (9), Sparky (8)(Sub: Mario 7,), Thommo (8), Ally (8), Jenks (8)(Sub: Ruddy 7,), Cush (8)

Man of the match: Tony Kane