Category: Fixtures

Sirocco Works 1 v 2 Ballynahinch United

United travelled to the Billy Neill Playing Fields, Dundonald last Saturday for this league fixture against Sirocco Works. In addition to long term absentees JJ Carlisle, Craig Bowman and Alan Patterson also missing were Steven Kennedy and Johnny Hunter so in came Ian Boal, Scott McKibbin and Greg Allison.

Things started very badly for the visitors when they were caught cold by Sirocco in the first minute when they scored after some rather slack play. United rallied with the help of some excellent defending from Boal, Hayes, Foster and Herron and safe handling from Brian McMullan to get into the game. Stuart McMullan got United right back into the game on the stroke of half time when he scored to make it 1-1.

In the second half United were a much different proposition and prompted on by Scott Brashaw players such as Jay Smyth, David Kelly, Aaron Cheevers, Scott McKibbin and Ian Boal all played a major role in ensuring that all three points came back to the Millbridge thanks to a last minute winner from Ian McMullan.

This week United travel to Dunmurry YM for their final away game of the season before they finish with two home games against Lisburn Rangers [20th April] and Immaculata [4th May].

Rathfriland Rangers 3 v 1 Ballynahinch United

United travelled to Iveagh Park, Rathfriland for this league encounter against the home side who are riding high and one of the favourites for promotion from Division 1B.

Last year United scored a superb away victory but despite a spirited display they could not do it again.

United played very well in the first half and were a shade unfortunate to go in at half time 2-1 down. The home side scored after twenty minutes but United equalised through Steven Kennedy on the half hour mark.

Rathfriland went into the break 2-1 up when they scored from a free kick in the closing seconds.

United toiled away in the second half in an effort to secure an equaliser but all was in vain against and experienced and well drilled home defence.

Rathfriland made sure of the points when they scored a third goal although it was somewhat contentious as most thought the player who laid on the pass to the scorer did so from an offside position.

This week United entertain Dunmurry YM in the league at Millbridge with a 2pm kick off.

Ballynahinch United IIs 5 v 0 Civil Service

The Swifts continued their improvement in form with a resounding victory over Civil Service at the Millbridge on Saturday. From the kick off the Swifts were quickly on the attack forcing a few corners and generally dominating possession. They took the lead on ten minutes when great work on the left wing by Alan McMullan and Jordan Hayes, who was making his Swifts debut, released Greg Allison and his cross ball was hooked into the net by Aaron McCaffrey.

It was 2-0 five minutes later when the Civil Service goalkeeper needlessly bundled over Jordan Hayes in the penalty area and Darren Fitzsimmons scored from the spot.

Five minutes later Aaron McCaffrey was again on the spot to score following good work in midfield from Stevenson and Gray.

At the start of the second half Civil Service stepped up a gear but this passage of play was short-lived as the Swifts defence of Alan and Craig McMullan, Majury, Dunlop and second half substitute Gary McCracken were in fine form ensuring that veteran goalkeeper Johnny McGreevy had a fairly quiet afternoon and a clean sheet.

Stevenson in midfield was making strong runs through midfield and in the 65th minute he got to the edge of the penalty area where he unleashed a bullet of a shot into the net without the Civil Service keeper moving a muscle to make it 4-0.

In the closing minutes the same player intercepted a poor clearance to skip into the penalty area and chip the ball into the net past the on rushing keeper for his team’s fifth goal.

This week the Swifts travel to Bryansburn Rangers 2nds.

Maghera IIs 4 v 3 The Albion

The Albion travelled to Church Hill Park, Maghera for this league game against Maghera 2nds.

Maghera took the lead early on from what the Albion players thought was an offside position and not long afterwards found themselves 2-0 down from a brilliant shot that gave keeper John McMenamin no chance.

Just before half time Albion got back into the game when following good work on the right wing by Ross Bingham who crossed to Graham McMullan who shot toward goal past the keeper and Stuart Wilcox made sure that it was going over the line.

In the second half Albion got back on level terms when a long throw from Paul King was scrambled into the net by Steven Bridges.

The Albion pressed forward for the winner but they were caught out by two breakaway goals to fall behind by 4-2. They never gave up and when Dean Blackwood was fouled in the penalty Alan Massey stepped up to score but it was too little too late.

This week the Albion entertain Carryduff Colts 2nds at the Council Pitch in Drumaness.