Ally Pally!

United's Ally Teggart turned in a 'man of match' 5* performance against his former team Portadown. He had almost a perfect game and when he was subbed to a standing ovation from the Sky Blue Sport team, he had time to reflect on a job well done. United manager, Spike, as expected ,selected the same eleven that finished the game on Wednesday night at Seaview, we had one change on our subs bench with reserve player Harris, taking the place of the unavailable Alan D. United lost the toss, but Ports elected to play with the wind advantage, rather than making us play into our favourite goals at the Fisherwick end in the first half, an advantage for us, worth a goal at least in my opinion.

United started brightly and Ally, skipped by his marker, Casement and whipped in a cross, which Tippers controlled and brought a great save form Miskelly the Ports keeper. From another Ally cross, Captain Jenks, headed wide, a real chance. Little was seen of the Ports at this stage, but after 19 mins the United defence was caught square and McAllister was allowed to get a shot in on goal, but I think Dwayne had it covered as it hit the crossbar and ended up with goal kick, although the Ports players claimed at Dwayne got a touch.Tim 'nice but dim' Marshall was refereeing the game but he seemed to be devoid of cards, when he let the Ports players get with some questionable tackles. From a Ports corner, Dwayne called for the ball and plucked it out of the air, only to be dumped by Murray and the ref took no action. which obviously meant he had forgot his cards.

From a Tippers cross, headed back across the goal, Captain Jenks failed to work the keeper hitting his shot wide of the target.. United deservedly took the lead with 30 mins on the clock when Kyley, headed in Neal Gawley's , corner from the right.with a powerful header past Miskimmon. It was no more than the Sky Blues deserved, for they had been the better team so far and created the best chances. United still continued to press the beleaguered Ports defence, who replied with heavy tackles and Tim 'nice but dim', finally woke up and booked Breem for a clumsy tackle on Cush, with the halftime whistle approaching. Despite two mins of added time, they were no more goals and United came off to a standing ovation from the Sky Blue faithful and rightly so in my book.

2nd half
The 2nd half had barely started when Miskimmon saved from Gawley, when it seemed the barber must score. What a find Gawley is turning out to be, I used to laugh when I saw him come on as a sub or picked to start, but Fergie has persevered with him and he's now an integral of this Sky Blues line-up, with his long throws, free kicks and corners, long may he continue to be.  Then about 6 mins into the 2nd half  United were dealt a blow, when Kyley had to retire with a back injury, to be replaced by Cookie Munster, the second match in a row that United lost a man to injury just after halftime. Captain Jenks spurned another chance to get on the score-sheet, when he blasted the ball over from another Gawley corner.

Just on the hour mark Murray was finally booked but 4 mins later, Gavin, who had been playing well, allowed Garret to have a free run on goal and he fired in an unstoppable shot from 25 yards and despite Dwayne's despairing dive, the ball ended up in the corner of the net, to tie the scores at one apiece. Six minutes later United were back in front, by a goal which must rank in the top five of the best goals I have seen in my many years following United. It all started with Ally winning a tackle with Casement of Ports about 10 yards into his own half and then he went on mazy run, leaving four or five Portadown men in his wake. It was then, when nearing the penalty box, that he found his Captain Jenks, who played a superb
one-two with Gawley (who else you might ask) and drew Miskelly before slotting a superb shot into the net to secure the Sky Blues advantage again at 2-1.

Two mins later it was nearly three, when JT, got on the end of another Gawley corner, but couldn't direct his header wide of the post, a more than half chance. Then we had another incident where Tim 'nice but dim' lost the plot, when Dwayne claimed a high ball again and Murray clattered into him for the second time in the match. Dwayne got immediately up and voiced his protestations to Murray and McAllister came in and pushed the United custodian to the ground. Surely a booking for Murray and a red card for McAllister. When it all settled down Tim booked McAllister and Dwayne and Murray got off scot free. This incident begs the question, 'are goalkeepers fair game in the Irish Premiership, or is Tim Marshall just an incompetent'?

Our manager, Spike, seemed to judge that his players were going to be subjected to some rough justice, with the ref letting blatant fouls go unpunished and started to remove his star players, with Cush the first to go to be replaced with Darboy after 76 mins and five mins later Ally was replaced by Ruddy. Darboy was only on the pitch 3 mins. when he robbed Mackie of Portadown and with a clear run on goal smacked the ball into net past a bemused Miskimmon to give United a 3-1 lead. As we approached 90 mins  it seemed the game was going to finish with United leading 3-1, but Tim 'nice but dim' wasn't finished with us. As Ports mounted a last ditch attack, Ruddy, closed down his man and got struck on the arm and Tim incredulously gave a penalty. It was a clear case of 'ball to hand' not 'hand to ball', but Tim gave it, as if  to add insult to injury, the Ports penalty kick taker was Murray, who should been sent-off in the earlier incident with Dwayne.

Murray duly stroked the penalty in to leave the score 3-2 in United's favour and during the further three mins of added time, United  were composed, but it was a relief when Tim finally blew his whistle. We had won 3-2, I've no doubt the final scoreline sounded like it was a close game, but in truth United were far and away the best team on the day. I've no doubt that Ports will claim that they had some players short of match fitness, Breen, Murray and Ramsay came into that category, but if they are honest, they'll admit they were outplayed and the scoreline doesn't reflect United's dominance, they could of and should have of won by more. But we are still unbeaten, sure I know its only three games in, but if we keep on winning the games that we have a chance of winning, who knows, this could be our season. Bring on the Dungannon and Liggie and all they have to offer and come on Sky Blues!


Dwayne (7), Marky (7), Steeky(8), JT (8), Kyley (8) (Sub: Cookie 7,), Gawley (8), Gavin (7), Jenks (8), Ally (8) (Sub: Ruddy 7,), Cush (7) (Sub: Darboy 8,), Tippers (7)


Man of the match: Ally