Two goals from Gary McCracken and one from Stuart Wilcox were not enough to get a result against Maghera 2nds on Saturday past.
The youthful Albion side worked hard throughout and could not be faulted for their application and effort.
Category: Results
Tollymore Forest 1 v 3 Ballynahinch Swifts
The Swifts travelled to Bear Park, Newcastle for this league encounter against Tollymore seconds. It was the visitors who enjoyed the majority of the opening exchanges controlling play for long periods of time with Johnny Stevenson holding the ball up well for strike partner Aaron McCaffrey while the midfield of Graeme McMullan, Gareth Bingham, Alan Massey and Greg Allison worked tireless in both attack and defence. The Swifts lost defender Shaun Bonner with an ankle injury on the half hour mark and he was replaced by Jamie McPhail.
The Swifts took the lead after thirty five minutes when a long free kick from Glynn Robinson flew over the heads of the Tollymore defence into the path of the Aaron McCaffrey who controlled the ball before gliding it into the net.
In the closing period of the half McMullan, McCaffrey, Stevenson, Allison and Bingham all had got efforts either saved or go wide of goal.
In the second half Tollymore started brightly causing the Swifts defence of Ethan Majury, Scott McNeill, Glynn Robinson and Jamie McPhail lots of problems however they held them at bay and slowly played their way back into the game.
Aaron McCaffrey gave his team a 2-0 lead after fifty minutes when he converted a loose ball after great work from Stevenson. Indeed Stevenson should have been awarded a penalty after he was bundled over from behind inside the six yard area.
The two goal lead was never going to be enough and when Tollymore scored on the hour mark the alarm bells started to ring and never more so when they hit the post with a header that looked for all the world as if it was going in. A few saves from Johnny McGreevy were required as well before the two goal margin was restored when Johnny Stevenson crashed the ball home after great interplay between Bingham, Massey and Allison.
This was a very good display against a workmanlike Tollymore side that were well served by veteransRay Kendall and Mark Hughes and a number of young players who displayed excellent ball skills. Swifts manager Davy Teggarty will be happy with the result and a lot of the general play however he will know that his team were wasteful in front of goal.
Ballyvea 3rds 0 v 1 Ballynahinch United 3rds
A few weeks ago there was doubts regarding whether the Albion would have enough players to compete this season so when they took the field on Saturday it was a relief to everyone at the club.
When they returned from Ballyvea on Saturday after securing a 1 – 0 win and all three points everyone at the club was delighted and full of praise for the team that made the trip.
The Albion’s first goal of the season was scored by Lewis Lowey and the team management were full of praise for each and everyone of the players in the team that was captained by veteran Ian Blackwood.
Ballyclare Comrades 6 v 1 Ballynahinch United
United’s run in the Steel & Sons Cup came to an abrupt halt when they were well defeated by an excellent Ballyclare Comrades side last Saturday. They found themselves two down midway through the half and four down at half time. A spirited second half saw them get a goal back though Ian McMullan but a further two goals were conceded.
This week United play their first home match at Millbridge for well over a month when they entertain NAFL Premier League side Dunmurry Recreation in the Border Cup.
Rossglass 1 v 2 Ballynahinch Swifts
The Swifts claimed a debut victory in this their first game on their return to the Newcastle League.
Manager Davy Teggarty was in a position to field a strong team with a number of the first team squad being available for duty following holiday.
Playing some neat football from the start the Swifts created several good scoring opportunities and took the lead when Stevenson slotted home after rounding the keeper.
Rossglass equalised from the penalty spot to level the game before Alan Massey scored from the penalty spot to give the Swifts a half time lead.
In the second half Rossglass fought strongly to get back on even terms but the Swifts defence remained resolute while Bingham, Allison and McCaffrey all went close to increasing their lead.