Some Comfort!

United missed the chance to get into sixth place in the Dankse Premiership, when they could only draw with Glenavon at windswept Mourneview Park yesterday. In the circumstances, a draw was more than we deserved, for in the second half, despite having the wind mainly on our backs, we only created one chance. United showing two changes from the side so narrowly beaten by that other half of Craigavon, Portadown, last week elected to play against the breeze in the first half, at least I think we did, the home team centred in the first half and we centred in the second half.

As expected Dwayne made his first appearance since being injured in that infamous scuffle with Tipton of Linfield, that the referee on that day saw nothing wrong with, but that's another story. Thommo, having served his one game ban returned and Gavin Taggart dropped down to the bench and there was no place for Ally in the starting X1. United started brightly and it was 10 minutes into the game before Glenavon threatened, McGrory shooting over when well placed. Player manager Gary Hamilton was at his 'diving' best, but credit to the referee Tim Marshall, he wasn't overly impressed by Gary's histrionics.

At the other end after an impressive bit of play, Cush looked to be fouled in the box, but Tim waved play on, obviously he felt that Cush had made a meal  out of it. Hamilton then was fouled by Thommo near the halfway line and appeared to get up and aim a kick at Thommo, Tim, took no action. Gareth McKeown's long throw-ins were causing us trouble, but we dealt capably with them, due to a mixture of skill and good luck. There were a few heart-stopping moments, as we were trying to play the ball out, but we managed to get away with it.

A McKeown drive was deflected over the bar and then from a corner Hamilton got a head wound from one of his own players, as Sparky headed off the line. In a nice bit of build-up play, the ball came out to Thommo, but from 20 yards he blasted  his shot over the bar. Referee Tim Marshall earlier in the game had refused Archie treatment when he injured his knee and insisted he move into touch and our physio had to come the long way round to treat him. Surely he could of used a bit of common sense and let the physio come across the pitch, he could add time-on at the end of the half. JT was in the wars and he had to go off to get treatment and we were down to ten men at least two times in the first half, but we survived.

2nd half
I thought surely we'd up the pace in the second half and we seem to come out with more purpose, but we seemed determined to walk the ball into the net, instead of shooting. The reliable JT, missed a tackle and Dwayne saved his blushes by making a good save from Martin. At the other end how the home team's number six was allowed to stay on the field, beggars belief, after he rugby-tackled Captain Jenks when he was the last defender, Tim merely booked him. From the resultant free-kick, Cush drove the ball harmlessly wide. It was a feature of the day, how pathetic were all of our free-kicks and corners and the sooner Ally is restored to the team the better.

With an hour gone Ally looked set to come on, but it took another 5 mins before he did come on to replace Mario. Two mins later, Neill who had already been booked, was adjudged to have fouled Cush, who had moved to the right to accommodate Ally and Tim flourished the yellow card, immediately followed by the red and the hosts were down to ten men. From the resultant free-kick, taken by Tony K, despite a free header we got nothing. At this juncture the home team stepped up the pace and from a long-throw, Marshall headed over and mins later, Dwayne tipped over a free-kick from McKeown which had goal written all over it.

Cookie seemed to be in trouble and he was replaced by Neil Lowry with 8 mins to go and from one of his crosses the ball came out to Cush and we all held our breath, but he drove it harmlessly wide, a great chance gone begging. We did force another corner on the right and I expected Ally to take it, but Cush took it and it was hopeless in the extreme. With 2 mins remaining Cush went off to be replaced with Liggie and I don't remember Liggie getting a touch as the match petered out to a scoreless draw. With a double header against the Crues coming up the United management need to work on the taking of corners and trying to instil some pride into their team, its either that or bust!

Dwayne (8), Marky (8), Archie (8), Cookie (7) (Sub: Lowry 6,), JT (7), Sparky (6), Tony K (6), Thommo (6), Mario (6) (Sub: Ally 6,), Jenks (6), Cush (6) (Sub: Liggie 6,)

Man of the match: Dwayne Nelson