Category: Fixtures

Match report: Ballynahinch United 0 – 3 St Mary’s

Match sponsor: Ark Integrated Solutions

Ark Integrated Solutions has over 30 years of providing advice and bespoke smart building integration solutions including CCTV, Intelligent Wi-Fi, Access and Gate Controls, Lighting and Heating and complete Audio Visual experiences for your home and office.

Ark can help you upgrade your lifestyle with smart home automation. Smart Solutions. Exceptional Results.

From world-class peace-of-mind security systems to media and home automation solutions, Ark can design a system that will transform your living experience and elevate your home!

Book a free consultation to talk about your project today. https://arkisgroup.com/contact/

United hosted fellow 1C competitors St Mary’s in the Border Cup with last season’s top goalscorer Lee Maxwell forced to play centre back in a make-shift defence.

The first-half saw both teams battling hard in the glow of the August sun. And despite the away side superior possesion, it was even at the break after solid defending from Ballynahinch with Thomas Rodgers and Charlie Parkinson putting in superb performance against tricky wingers.

It took until almost the hour mark for either side to take the lead, when St Mary’s nipped in ahead of Stefan Graham to scoring the opener.

United pushed forward but were undone twice in the last ten minutes after leaving space trying to find an equaliser.

Despite the defeat, it marked an improved performance compared to United’s 5 – 2 defeat against Grove on Thursday evening.

Man of the Match: Thomas Rodgers

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

Match report: Ballynagross 4 – 1 Swifts

Meanwhile at Mountain Quarter, Saul, the Swifts knew a win could take them to the quarter final of the KitRoom Cup.

It was the home side who took the lead in the second half, however, Greg Blunt pulled one back shortly after.

With United forced into changes through injury, the team struggled to keep their cohesion and the premier division side took advantage, adding three more goals to their tally.

United will now face Ballyvea III in the quarter final of the KitRoom Shield.

Congratulations to Curtis Johnston who made his senior club debut at 16. Curtis previously played for Ballynahinch Youth.

Man of the Match: Graeme McMullan

Line up: Lewis Roy, Ryan Rooney, Stephen McNair (Cameron Farr), Curtis Johnston, Greg Blunt, Ethan Perkins (Christopher McVarnock), Graeme McMullan [C] (Jake Redmond), Cameron McKissick (Gareth Bingham), Diarmuid Lavery, Patrick Harkin, Callum Greene (Matthew Lindsay).

Match report: Saintfield United 1 – 1 Ballynahinch United

Ballynahinch faced local rivals Saintfield at Pigeon Hill looking to make amends for last weekend’s defeat.

But it was Saintfield who took the lead from a long ball that bounced through to be scrambled home into the empty net.

Saintfield could’ve doubled their lead in the second half but blazed a penalty over the bar.

United had chances of their own but Ross Murray was unable to get a clinical touch to a Lee Maxwell’s stinging cross.

It was Lee who equalised after Scott Brashaw was fouled in the area.

Player of the Match: Andrew Shannon

Line up: Stefan Graham [C], Harry Wilson (John McMenamin), Alan Dickson, Scott Brashaw, Chris Coleman, Ben Wilson, Jamie McNeill, Andrew Shannon, Glenn Bennett (Anthony Greene), Lee Maxwell, Ross Murray (Luke Curry).

Swifts 2 – 6 Kilmore Rec Rovers

The Swifts faced high-flying Kilmore in the Harry Clarke Cup at The Millbridge.

The away side took the lead after 20 minutes and doubled their lead just after the half hour mark, despite good possession for Ballynahinch.

Renewed vigour in the second half saw United score twice in quick succession when Matthew Douglas pounced on a bouncing ball in the area after Graeme McMullan’s corner.

John Stevenson equalised from the spot after Ian McMullan was fouled. 

Justin Herbert threatened from the right but Ian was unable to give United the lead from his low cross.

Kilmore then capitalised and retook the lead from a free-man at the back post before adding another two while United adjusted to changes at the back after making substitutions. It could’ve been more except for the perseverance of Michael Vladeanu in the United net. 

It was Michael’s first game since January 2024 after a stint in Brighton. While Ben Rodgers also made his first appearance since April 2023 and David Corrie made his competitive debut.

Kilmore rounded off the scoring shortly before the final whistle to go through to the next round. 

Player of the Match: Michael Vladeanu

Line up: Michael Vladeanu, Justin Herbert, Matthew Tate, Will McNeill, Ben Rodgers, Graeme McMullan [C], Gareth Bingham, John Stevenson (David Corrie), Diarmuid Lavery, Ian McMullan, Matthew Douglas (Keith Hamilton)

Albion 0 – 7 Strangford II

It was a tough afternoon for the Albion against a strong Strangford side.

The Albion wore their new kit, donated by That Prize Guy, for the first time.

Player of the Match: Rhys O’Hare

Line up: Steven Chapman, Charlie Parkinson, Ryan Rooney, Lewis Roy (Liam Rodgers), Sam Lockhart, Stephen McNair [C], Callum Greene, Rhys O’Hare, Matthew Lindsay, Ethan Perkins (Thomas Casement), Greg Blunt (Nathan Cheevers).

Match report: Ballynahinch United 1 – 6 Colin Valley

Ballynahinch hosted 1B side Colin Valley at The Millbridge.

It was the home team who took the lead early on when Aaron Cheevers provided for his brother Scott.

United had more chances to increase their lead with opportunities for Scott, Jack Patterson and Aaron Cheevers, with Aaron crashing a free kick off the crossbar.

Richard Annett was commanding at the back while 4th choice goalkeeper, 41 year old, Anthony Greene saved well on multiple occasions.

Having failed to capitalise on a good first half performance, Colin Valley scored an equaliser on the brink of half-time despite strong claims of offside.

United never got started in the second half and fell behind early on.

Their misery was compounded when Matthew Hall was dismissed for a second booking.

A lacklustre second half performance allowed the away side to add four more goals to the scoreline including what looked to be another clear offside.

Player of the Match: Richard Annett

Line up: Anthony Greene, Chris Coleman, Scott Brashaw, Richard Annett, Matthew Hall, Gavin Crawford, Thomas Rodgers (Alan Dickson), Greg Hall [C], Aaron Cheevers, Jack Patterson (Luke Curry), Scott Cheevers (Jamie McNeill)