Rough Tactics!

Ballymena are licking their wounds after yet another 'mauling' from the 'animals' of Ballycastle Road (Coleraine Scum), aided and abetted by supposedly one of our top referees, Davey Malcolm. Davey was at his biased best on Tuesday night, booking 6 United players and only two from the scum, but far and away Davey's biggest 'gaffe' however was to not even give a foul for the late tackle which left United Captain Gary Haveron with yet another broken leg. Davey of course was aided and abetted by (1), the linesman (or should I say referees assistant), at the tunnel side (players entrance)of the ground, who, standing 5 yards from the tackle, saw nothing untoward either and (2), by 4th official Jim McFadden, who with a clear uninterrupted view saw nothing unfair as well. He, McFadden, was of course too busy watching United manager Roy Walker in case he set a foot over the coaching box, while affording the Coleraine bench the freedom to wander where they pleased. These officials don't come cheaply, over £400 in total, so one would think they might want to earn their keep, but no you'd be wrong. Later in the game United's Andy Smith broke clear of the Scum defence only to be 'cleaned' in the box when looking likely to score, this foul carries an automatic Red card or at worst a yellow one, Davey of course showed neither. Surely the time has come when our officials should be held accountable for their contribution or lack of it during the game.If something's not done soon, there could be serious repercussions and I don't think any of us really wants that!

First Shot!

Yes the big kick-off arrived and the colourful Cliftonville fans appeared with their red and white flags (although one of them appears to have washed out and looks to be green, white and orange), of course Jimmy Boyce (the former I.F.A. president says there's no such thing, just how long can Boycie keep burying his head in the sand I wonder). The paltry 200 hundred fans Cliftonville brought to the game did little to swell the coffers at the Showgrounds, although they did keep us amused by singing songs about the Irish famine, something to do with a grain failure I believe. But I digress, elsewhere there were few shocks, although the 'fat controller' had a close shave down at the bannside. Former United keeper Alan Blaney, allegedly made a major gaffe, my heart bleeds for both him and Linfield, but of course 'lucky Linfield' got a break when the home side had a man sent off for what can be best described as a mistimed challenge, but then they get penalties and sendings off etc, far, far more than their share. Reigning champions Glentoran got off to a flier with a 4-0 trouncing of the Whites, but I wouldn't read too much into that as one of their (the whites),major signings was Aaron Callaghan and we know all about him at Warden street, added to that Jim Brown is their manager, so there's not a lot going for them. So all in all nothing too strange or startling, but there's a long way to go and as the old saying goes, there's many a slip, between the cup and the lips, so roll on next Saturday!