Match report: Orangefield O.B 3 – 3 Ballynahinch United

Ballynahinch faced Orangefield at Cregagh Sports Club looking to make amends follow last week’s heavy defeat.

The away side started well and were probably the most threatening of the two teams with Ross Murray dangerous on the left.

But it was Orangefield who took the lead when their forward rounded Stefan Graham to knock home into an empty goal.

United were undeterred and soon equalised when Louis Boyd rose to get on the end of Kyle Spindlow’s corner.

The away side defended resolutely for the remainder of the half with Ian McMullan in centre of defence alongside Conor Graham.

In the second half, playing down the hill, United took the lead. A long kick from Stefan was excellently controlled by Glenn Bennett. His delicated dinked cross found Louis in the area to nod home for his second.

United had further chances to extend their lead but failed to convert, and Orangefield capitalised, equalising with a well-hit drive low into the corner.
Ballynahinch took the lead again, when Glenn Moffett weaved outside the box to clip an effort into the top corner.

There wasn’t long to go but United’s defence was getting peppered, and despite every effort to hold the lead, a devastating deflection fell to the feet of Orangefield’s first goalscorer to prod home again in the dying moments.

It was a performance to be pleased about for Kyle Rendall’s men to take forward into the rest of the campaign.

Man of the Match: Ian McMullan

Line up: Stefan Graham [C], Charlie Parkinson, John McMenamin (Graeme McMullan), Ian McMullan, Conor Graham, Kyle Spindlow, Tom Nelson, Glenn Moffett, Ross Murray (Bradley Hamilton), Louis Boyd, Glenn Bennett (Scott Cheevers).

Swifts 0 – 4 Dundrum United

The Swifts found themselves behind early on and their chances of a comeback were hampered after 10 minutes when Jude Kelly was replaced due to injury.

A further change was forced for Ballynahinch when Curtis McCaugherty came on for the injured Leo Elliot before half time and by that stage Dundrum had doubled their lead.

Owen Gill was also forced off through injury leaving the home side down to ten men, with Stephen McNair steppiing into goals.

Man of the Match: Ryan Rooney

Line up: Owen Gill, Ryan Rooney, Stephen McNair, Sam Lockhart, Greg Blunt [C], Jude Kelly (Pearse Irvine), Cameron McKissick, Callum Greene, Diarmuid Lavery, Conor McVarnock, Leo Elliot (Curtis McCaugherty).

Celtic Bhoys Atheltic 5 – 1 Albion

A strong Celtic Bhoys side hosted a depleted Albion compared to the week before. The home side took an early lead and added two more before the break.

Sharpshooter Gareth Bingham pulled on back for Ballynahinch but the damage had been done before Athletic added another two to the scoreboard.

Man of the Match: Scott Brashaw

Line up: Lewis Roy, Liam Rodgers, Curtis Johnston, Roy Shilliday, Ryan Patterson (Cameron Farr), Matthew Lindsay, Scott Brashaw, Gareth Bingham, Colin Nelson, Keith Hamilton, Harry Brown.

Match report: Castlewellan Town 3 – 1 Ballynahinch United

United faced Castlewellan Town at Corrigan Park. Ballynahinch looked threatening on the wings but their efforts were curtailed when Thomas Rodgers was stretchered off with a nasty knee injury. 

Castlewellan took the lead a short time later after a neat through ball was finished into the corner.

The home side doubled their lead in fortunate circumstances after a deflected shot found the corner.

In the second half, Castlewellan added another with an emphatic finish into the top corner.

United made changes and found a new gear. Some nice play and possession resulted in a smashed finish from Louis Boyd to finish the game.

Line up: Stefan Graham [C], Charlie Parkinson, Simon Johnston, Conor Graham, John McMenamin, Kyle Spindlow, Tom Nelson, Thomas Rodgers (Lee Maxwell), Ben Maxwell (Ian McMullan), Glenn Moffett (Bradley Hamilton), Louis Boyd.

Ballyvea III 7 – 2 Swifts

The Swifts travelled to face Ballyvea III. The home side took an early lead and found themselves two up. 

Ballynahinch battled back with goals from Rhys O’Hare and Diarmuid Lavery but they couldn’t continue their momentum and lost their way. 

Ballyvea took advantage and scored 5 more to take the victory. The result saw United knocked out of the KitRoom Shield.

There were club debuts for teenagers Leo Elliott, Harry Brown and Conor McVarnock.

Man of the Match: Rhys O’Hare

Line up: Lewis Roy, Ethan Perkins, Ryan Rooney (Cameron Farr), Curtis Johnson (Stephen McNair), Greg Blunt, Callum Greene (Harry Brown), Graeme McMullan [C], Cameron McKissick, Diarmuid Lavery (Conor McVarnock), Rhys O’Hare, Chris McVarnock (Leo Elliott).

Ballynahinch United outline the future for a Millbridge Community Sports Hub

The club were delighted to welcome an array of local council and community representatives to The Millbridge on Tuesday evening.

On the evening, Ballynahinch United Chairman, Anthony Greene, and Ballynahinch Youth and Ladies Chairperson, Hannah Majury presented our aims and club ethos’ to our guests, including the work we contribute to player and personal development and mental health well-being. While Forsythe Consulting outlined our plans for the clubhouse to be a hub for the Ballynahinch community.

Chairman, Anthony Greene said: “We’re pleased to be moving forward with our plans. We want to create somewhere where people are proud of and a friendly place for the community to meet, eat, greet and take part in sport.”

We were encouraged by the support and positive feedback received on the night and look forward to future developments as we strive to provide a modern, suitable community hub at The Millbridge for residents in Ballynahinch and the surrounding areas.

We would like to thank all those who attended, our speakers, Anthony, Hannah, Forsythe Consulting and Gary Harpur for their assistance.