Category: Results

Ballynahinch United 0 v 2 Coagh United

INTERMEDIATE CUP 2ND ROUND

United entertained Irish League Championship Division 1 side Coagh United at Millbridge on Saturday before a large crowd, swelled by a big contingent from the County Tyrone village.

The early exchanges were quite even but as the game developed it was United who had the lion share of the play forcing a number of corners and interceptions from the Coagh United keeper.

The midfield of Hunter, Patterson, JJ Carlisle and Stuart McMullan were supplying good quality balls to Cheevers in particular who was causing all sorts of problems however no real scoring opportunities were created although Alan Patterson did cause the Coagh keeper to spill a few balls from crosses. Defensively United were strong with Boal, Hayes, Brashaw and Herron on top of anything that the visitors threw at them however it was obvious that they were going to be dangerous on the break.

Indeed that would be how the opening Coagh goal would come about when a long ball out from their defence fell kindly for their forward and as Hayes went to challenge him he noticed keeper Brian McMullan off his line and he lobbed a delicate shot over his head and into the net.

In the second half United continued to play neat attractive football and shortly after half time it took a superb save from the Coagh keeper to deny Stuart McMullan an equaliser. Soon after Coagh made it 2-0 when an attacking move down the left wing ended with a shot into the net from close range to give McMullan no chance.

United battled on in search of an equaliser and despite maintaining a good share of the play they failed to get on the score sheet. Substitutes Jay Smyth, Scott McKibbin and first team debutant McCauley Foster were introduced during the second half and they maintained the fluidity of the team but they were unable to break down an experienced and well drilled Coagh defence.

Ballynahinch United 3 v 1 Bangor Rangers

United entertained Bangor Rangers in this league fixture at Millbridge on Saturday – a day that was somewhat over shadowed by the news that they had drawn Premier League side Coleraine in the 5th Round of the Irish Cup.

Right from the start United were on the front foot hemming Bangor Rangers back into their half as they probed down the right and left wings through the runs of Aaron Cheevers and Stuart McMullan. They took the lead just short of the half hour mark when Alan Patterson ran onto a Johnny Hunter through ball. The Bangor keeper raced off his line to challenge for the ball but it broke to Cheevers who calmly slotted it into the empty net from twenty yards.

United continued to probe but they conceded a goal against the run of play when a long right wing cross evaded everyone and fell to a Bangor forward who controlled the ball before slotting it into the net despite the efforts of Brian McMullan. Undeterred United pressed forward and following a goal mouth scramble Ian McMullan side footed the ball into the net.

In the second half United continued to control the game restricting Bangor Rangers to the odd excursion forward leaving Brian McMullan generally as a spectator.

The midfield of Bowman, Hunter, Patterson and Stuart McMullan were very strong moving the ball about with confidence while defensively Davy Boal, Ross Hayes, Adam Herron and Scott Brashaw all went about their tasks with efficiency.

Numerous openings were created to extend their lead but it was not until the 75th minute that they increased it when Patterson again surged forward and unleashed a shot which was brilliantly saved by the Bangor keeper however in doing so it cannoned off a defender and looped into the net.

The full substitute bench of Carlisle, McKibbin and Smyth had been introduced midway through the second half and they played their part with McKibbin out pacing the Bangor defence on a number of occasions and being very unlucky not to score.

An excellent result which keeps United in the top four of the Division 1B league table as they go into Christmas and this weekends big local derby with Temple Rangers in the Clarence Cup.

Ballymoney United 1 v 1 Ballynahinch United

IRISH CUP ROUND 4

United travelled to the Riada Stadium to take on Irish League Championship side Ballymoney United in the fourth round of the Irish Cup. From United’s point of view this was a game that was going to be difficult as the home sides results had improved significantly in recent weeks following the appointment of Jim Platt the former Northern Ireland goalkeeper as manager.

United battled hard throughout the game and felt a little unfortunate to be a goal down at half time however a determined effort in the second half brought an equaliser from Scot Brashaw to send the game into extra time.

The dismissal late in the second half of midfielder David Kelly was a major blow however the lads all dug in and were able to withstand the Ballymoney onslaught.

When the dreaded penalties came the tension was unbearable particularly for the travelling support who could hardly watch.

Davy Boal took the first one and scored but the usually reliable spot taker Johnny Hunter missed. Craig Bowman thundered his kick home to put his side level after a Ballymoney kick was saved by Brian McMullan. Next up was Ian McMullan to score and team captain Scot Brashaw was cool when he converted his kick to take Ballynahinch United into the 5th Round of the Irish Cup for the first time ever.

This Thursday United go into the 5th Round had along with nineteen other Intermediate sides and the twelve Irish League Premier Division clubs.

Ballynahinch United 2nds 3 v 1 Bryansburn Rangers 2nds

The Swifts continued their recent resurgence with an excellent home win against a good Bryansburn Rangers side who played good football throughout. With 20 minutes played, United were unlucky not to go ahead when a shot hit the crossbar.

They took the lead on the half hour mark when Ethan Majury headed home from a cross from ‘Beattie’ McCaffrey. Soon after it was 2-0 when Gray dived to convert another cross.

The visitors hit back just after half time to make it 2-1 however another header from Gray secured the three points.

Downshire YM 0 v 1 Ballynahinch United

United travelled to Hillsborough for this league fixture against local rivals Downshire YM.

The game was quite tight throughout with the home side giving United little time on the ball whilst they were particularly well set up defensively making them hard to break down.

The home side had the ball in the net midway through the first but the Downshire player was adjudged to have fouled United keeper Brian McMullan.
In the second half United upped their game and when Downshire had a player dismissed they took advantage with Aaron Cheever’s being rewarded for his hard running with a goal in the early stages of the second half.

This was a vital three points as United keep in contention in the top four although the remainder of the half is strewn with numerous difficult fixtures.

This week United travel to Irish League Championship 2 side Ballymoney United in the third round of the Irish Cup.