Category: Fixtures

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 1 v 1 Bloomfield

United got back to Millbridge on Saturday past after several postponements for a league fixture against Bloomfield. The visitors although one point above United have played seven more games and a win for them was vital whilst the home side needed to ensure that they got something out of the game to avoid getting drawn into the relegation dog fight.

The home side fielded without four absentees from the previous week namely, Ian McMullan and Ross Hayes [suspended] David Kelly [family illness] and Stuart McMullan [wrist injury] and they were replaced in the match day squad by Greg Allison, Johnny Stevenson, Alex Miller and Dee Stewart.

It was the visitors who started the brightest whilst United were taking a little time to settle and Bloomfield capitalised on this to take the lead in the 5th minute.

United bounced back and launched a series of attacks on the Bloomfield rear-guard with Dee Stewart and Matty Shaw going close. United’s midfield of Aaron Cheevers, Ben Wilson, Stu art Hunter and Dylan Carberry worked tirelessly both in defence and attack creating a number of openings. Their efforts lead to United equaliser when Shaw was pulled back just outside the penalty area and Ethan Majury  fired in a dipping free kick which found its way into the net under the goal keepers body.

Defensively the much changed line-up of Gavin Crawford, Dalton Tate, Scott Brashaw and Ethan Majury settled well and except for one scare in the closing minutes when Brashaw had to head off the line they ensured that Brian McMullan in the United goal had a fairly easy day.

In the second half United had the best of the chances with Shaw and Hunter going close with long range shots and Crawford going agonisingly close from close range following a great left wing cross from Alex Miller. Johnny Stevenson and Greg Allison can on for the last quarter to change the United attack but the visitors fought feverously to ensure that they at least held on to a point which in the end was probably no more than either side deserved.

This week United travel to Dundonald for a league game against Donard Hospital another side that are in the relegation zone.

Match Report: Wellington Rec. 2 v 2 Ballynahinch United

United travelled to Millbrook, Larne for this league encounter with Wellington Rec who are one of the leading teams in the division this season. The pitch was in good condition and United were able to pick from a full squad. The opening few minutes were very much a case of both teams trying to size each other up however it was United who seemed to carry the biggest attacking threat and in the 10th minute they took the lead when Matty Shaw stabbed home from close in after a great cross from Aaron Cheevers. United continued to carry the biggest threat as they out passed a midfield and defence that struggled to close them down. The passing movements involving David Kelly, Dylan Carberry, Dalton Tate, Aaron Cheevers and Matty Shaw were excellent and they justifiably scored a second when Matty Shaw chipped the Wellington keeper from 25 yards. After this Wellington seemed to get a spurt of energy and for the last quarter of the first half they started to dominate proceedings forcing corner after corner. Try as they might they were we unable to stop the onslaught and minutes before half time they conceded a goal when a midfielder shot from the edge of the penalty giving Bryan McMullan no chance.

In the second half the United defence came under constant pressure with Dalton Tate, Ross Hayes, Scott Brashaw, Ben Wilson and Ethan Majury, who had gone to left back for the injured Stuart McMullan, having to work overtime to withstand their barrage of crosses. Not surprisingly Wellington equalised on the hour mark and although they did have a few other chances the defence held firm. It was not until the middle of the second half that United eventually got back into the game with their best chance falling to Stuart Hunter who had the ball taken off his head by a last gasp defensive clearance as he was about to head into an empty net.

The game ebbed and flowed over the remainder of the second half with Matty Shaw almost scoring again in the closing minutes when he almost connected with a cross from Dylan Carberry who was making his debut for the team. Ian McMullan and Gavin Crawford were introduced into the fray late on however United probably went away happy to have secured a valuable away point.

This weekend they entertain Bloomfield in a league fixture at Millbridge.

 

Match Report: Ballynagross 2nds 6 v 2 Ballynahinch United 2nds

The Swifts travelled to Ballykinlar to play table toppers Ballynagross 2nds and despite taking a 2–0 lead into half time with goals from Aaron McCaffery and Gary McCracken they lost 6-2.

The loss of central defender John McMenamin with a serious knee injury was a major factor. John’s injury has been diagnosed as a medial ligament problem and he is hoping to be back playing in the next few months and everyone at BUFC him a speedy recovery.

The 2nds travel to Carryduff this saturday for their last league fixture of February.

NAFL Clarence Cup 1st Round: Abbey Villa 3 v 1 Ballynahinch United

After a break of over two months Ballynahinch United got their season back on track with a game having suffered cancellation after cancellation due to the recent inclement weather. Believe it or not this game was moved from venue to venue across North Down to get it played and it finally took place on the council pitch at Kircubbin which was in excellent condition.

United were up against Abbey Villa in one of the leading contenders in NAFL Division 1A and not having played for some time was evident as the home team went into a 2-0 lead after fifteen minutes with goals from Adam Arthurs and Michael Doran.

Most of the first half hour proved to be hard going for United with their defensive line up of Alex Miller, Ross Hayes, Scott Brashaw and Stuart McMullan having to work hard and give goal keeper Bryan McMullan some cover. As the first half progressed the midfield of Dalton Tate, Gavin Crawford, Matty Shaw, Aaron Cheevers and Stuart Hunter got a lot more possession to give Ian McMullan some service and support up front. In the 40th minute Ian McMullan scored following a goalmouth scramble and as the first half ended the visitors were well into the game.

At the start of the second half it was Abbey Villa who made the early running however once United got hold of the ball the situation changed with wave after wave of attack descending on the Villa goal and in the 50th minute United got the opportunity to level the game when Ian McMullan was upended in the penalty area. Up stepped the usually reliable Dalton Tate who sadly got under his spot kick to launch it over the bar.

Abbey Villa got a third from a Michael Doran header on the hour mark and this made United’s task all the more harder. United manager Keith Hamilton brought on Dee Stewart, Gregg Allison and Ethan Majury in an effort to get back into the game. Majury, Stuart McMullan and Alex Millar all had long range efforts from free kicks but they could not get the opening that would have made for an exciting finish.

This was United’s first game for almost ten weeks and given the quality of the opposition they were facing this was a good performance and it is a credit to the players for keeping themselves in good condition despite the constant disappointments of the previous weeks postponements.

This week United entertain Colin Valley at the Millbridge and it will require a performance of the same quality to secure important league points.

Some photos of saturdays match can be seen below.

image1 image2 image3 image4 image5 image6

Club Notes

It is now two months since United had a first team game with scheduled fixtures both home and away being cancelled due to the weather conditions. Last Saturday’s Clarence Cup tie to Abbey Villa fell victim to the weather and it has been rescheduled for this saturday with a 1.30pm kick off. Mind you the weather forecast for the coming week isn’t exactly too good so fingers crossed.

The Swifts have had a couple of games (away defeats to Dromora & Tollymore) since the turn of the year with a home game scheduled for this saturday at The Millbridge against Carryduff.

However for the majority of players over this past few months it has been a case of train and train and train in the rain in the hope of a game.