Category: Results

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 2 v 0 Ballywalter Recreation

United entertained Ballywalter Recreation in this league encounter at Millbridge last Saturday.

The visitors are struggling at the wrong end of the league table and were keen to take all three points from their hosts and their intentions were obvious from the kick off as they dominated possession. A stout defensive display from Adam Herron, Scott Brashaw, Davy Boal and Ethan Majury held them at bay with Bryan McMullan’s safe handling copper fastening their overall play. As the game progressed United became more of an attacking force with Aaron Cheevers causing problems with his surging runs aided and abetted by his forward partner Gareth McMullan who was holding the ball up well.

In midfield Dalton Tate, Stuart McMullan, David Kelly and Greg Allison defended and attacked in equal measure.

United took the led from the penalty spot after 35 minutes following foul on Gareth McMullan. A brilliant through ball out of central midfield sent Cheever free and as he surged into the penalty area he cut the ball back to Gareth McMullan who was pushed over as he went to shoot. Cheevers stepped up and slotted the spot kick confidently into the net.

Just before half time United lost experienced defender Adam Herron with a nasty injury which following attendance by the Ambulance Service and a visit to the hospital has been diagnosed as a fracture.

In the second half both teams attacked without creating any clear opportunities however in the closing quarter things changed significantly with both goalkeepers making excellent saves. Aaron McCaffrey went close on a number of occasions as United make every effort to secure the three points.

Manager Keith Hamilton introduced Ian McMullan to the game for the last quarter and his fresh legs created lots of problems for the visitors defence and in the 80th minute when he was released free on goal the Ballywalter keeper brought him down well outside the area and he received a red card. Minutes later Ian McMullan scored United’s second when his goal bound shot was deflected past the stand in keeper to make it 2 – 0. Craig McMullan made his comeback after being unavailable for a number of weeks and he combined with brother Stuart to make numerous forays down the left wing in the closing stages.

This was not one of United’s best displays however each and every player played their part in securing the win. The unfortunate injury to Adam Herron marred the success of the day and  everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery. Adam is a very popular player senior player who has turned in numerous top class committed performances over the years and his team mates and the club’s supporters are looking forward to seeing him back in action very soon.

Match Report: Grove United 2 v 2 Ballynahinch United

United traveled to the Shore Road on Saturday last for this league encounter with Grove United who have had a series of good results in recent  weeks including a surprise defeat of Olympic a few weeks ago.

United started strongly and unlike some of their recent games their early endeavor was rewarded when Ethan Majury scored. For the remainder of the half United continued to play flowing football but that essential second goal did not come.

Grove came out with more conviction in the second half and secured an equaliser however United soon got on the front foot and Aaron Cheevers scored to give his team a deserved lead.

All over the pitch United worked tirelessly but again failure to put clear light between them and the opposition meant that they were vulnerable and Grove got a vital equaliser which may ultimately prove decisive in their fight to move away from the relegation zone.

This week United welcome Ballywalter Recreation, another team threatened with relegation, to the Millbridge.

The Swifts Supplementary Cup match against Strangford was postponed for a fourth time.

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 1 v 4 East Belfast

United entertained one of the Division 1B favorites on Saturday last and despite a valiant performance they were well beaten.

East Belfast arrived at the Millbridge having only lost one league game and from the kick off they were rampant moving the ball with speed and accuracy. United who were missing a raft of experienced players withstood this early onslaught with Brashaw, Majury, Herron, McCaffrey and Stuart McMullan making some timely tackles and goal keeper Bryan McMullan a few vital saves.

The visitors defence were getting things fairly easy in the opening ten minutes but once United got possession things changed and the pace of Cheevers caused them major problems.

East Belfast took the lead after 15 minutes when a speculative shot from outside the penalty area struck the inside of the post and went in giving McMullan no chance.

On 20 minutes Aaron Cheevers broke free and as he raced towards the penalty area he was pulled back and United were awarded a free kick. The lively midfielder took the kick himself and his superbly placed cross was touched over the line by Gareth McMullan.

The game became more even and the East Belfast defence were coming under increased pressure. Unfortunately an overzealous challenge from forward Ian McMullan was punished with a straight red card and the visitors capitalised on their numerical superiority. During a penalty area scramble one of their players went down following a fairly innocuous challenge and they scored from the penalty spot. As half time approached United’s inability to clear their lines gave East Belfast the opportunity to increase their lead and they took it with open arms.

In the second half United came out with a renewed spirit and despite having a player less they dominated play for the majority of the half with Kelly, Tate, Cheevers and Stuart McMullan in the thick of things. Teenage substitutes Graeme McMullan and Jack Patterson also made a contribution but despite all their possession the team lacked that killer instinct.

Having soaked up everything that United could throw at them the visitors  came more into the game and despite having a player sent off in the closing minutes they scored again late on.

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 1 v 4 Ballynahinch Olympic

Saturday saw the second meeting between these two Ballynahinch rivals having previously played at Dromara earlier in the season in the first ever league fixture between the teams. On Saturday Olympic were the victors thanks to a superb display of goal scoring by Niall Murray who bagged himself a hat trick. For Olympic the win avenged the defeat inflicted on them by United in the earlier game.

Millbridge was the scene for this derby clash and if the large crowd that turned up were hoping to see a feisty encounter then they will have been sadly disappointed because both teams tried to play football throughout.

United fielded without Greg Allison who was absent through illness while the experienced Ross Hayes and Davy Boal were missing through suspension however in the early exchanges you would not have thought that. United laid siege to the Olympic defence forcing a number of corners and going close to scoring on several occasions. Olympic weathered the storm and played their way into the game and on 20 minutes they took the lead from the penalty spot after Adam Herron had been adjudged to have fouled. Olympic’s ace marksman Niall Murray converted.

The home side pressed for an equaliser and it came in the 35th minute when Ian McMullan  picked out Aaron McCaffrey with a long ball into the Olympic penalty area and he was upended. David Kelly dispatched the resultant penalty kick to evens things up.

It looked as if the teams would go in at half time level however United conceded a needless free kick some thirty yards out and would pay the penalty for the indiscretion. The ball was floated into the penalty area and Bryan McMullan fisted it clear under a strong aerial challenge and it fell kindly to Murray on the edge of the penalty area and he dispatched it on the volley into the empty goal.

United came out in the second half determined to get back into the game while Olympic seemed happy to sit back and while it was a fairly risky strategy considering the amount of possession that the home team had it worked mainly because United’s age old problem of not scoring enough goals to justify the possession they have continues to haunt them.

On the 50 minute mark Olympic took a 3 – 1 lead when Murray broke free and despite the presence of defender Ethan Majury and goal keeper Bryan McMullan he managed to thread the ball into the net.

Despite this set back United threw everything at Olympic in an effort to get back into the game with Dalton Tate, Stuart McMullan, Gavin Crawford, Aaron Cheevers and  the outstanding Scot Brashaw pressing forward at every opportunity. The Olympic defence held strong despite living dangerously on a number of occasions and they killed the game off in the 70th minute when Chris McVarnock broke free and scored a fine individual goal to put the game out of United’s reach.

United introduced substitutes Paul Dickson, Gareth Bingham and Gareth McMullan and did have the ball in the net in the 75th minute but it was ruled out for offside while late in the game David Kelly who worked hard throughout almost scored when his deep cross deceived the Olympic goal keeper and hit the post but fell to defender who cleared.

So on this occasion Olympic had the bragging rights with the honours even over the two games. I suspect that both teams will be meeting again next season given Newcastle’s present league form and a lead of fourteen points in the division while East Belfast and 1st Bangor have  a large number of games in hand and seem very strong.

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 2nds 1 v 1 Ballyvea 2nds

The Swifts entertained table toppers Ballyvea 2nds in this league match at the Millbridge last Saturday.

Both teams appeared to be at full strength and they served up an exciting afternoon fair. The Swifts took the game to their more experienced opponents from the first whistle with Gareth Bingham and Graeme McMullan proving to be a constant threat to the Ballyvea defence which looked solid throughout.

McNeill, King, McMenamin and Bonner worked tirelessly in defence to keep the Ballyvea attack in check while in midfield McPhail, Massey, Manly and Wilson won a lot of possession with their quick closing down of the opposition.

A 0 – 0 score line at half time was not surprising as both teams generally cancelled each other out with neither goalkeeper having much to do.

In the second half the Swifts pushed on forcing a number of corners whilst Ballyvea were dangerous on the break with Swifts keeper Johnny McGreevy having to make a few timely saves.

The Swifts got the first break in the 70th minute when Graeme McMullan was upended in the penalty area however the usually reliable Alan Massey’s spot kick by was well saved by the Ballyvea keeper.

This seemed to spur the visitors on and in the next attack Ballyvea scored when a shot beat McGreevy and went in off the post.

Minutes later the Swifts were on the attack following the introduction of substitutes Ross Bingham and David Griffiths. They were awarded a corner and from the resultant kick Ross Bingham powered a header into the net off the underside of the crossbar for what was a deserved equaliser.
This was a competitive game played with spirit and sportsmanship throughout which was a credit to both teams.

The referee deserves considerable credit for his handling of the game and his consistent decision making.

This week the Swifts travel to Strangford for a cup game.