Everyone at the club would like to wish a speedy recovery to Robert Creighton who was recently hospitalised. Robert has been an outstanding supporter of the club over a considerable number of years missing only the odd match both home and away and we hope that he is able to be back at the Millbridge very soon. Club captain Scott Brashaw is pictured visiting Robert in hospital when he presented him with a Ballynahinch United Golf Society top.
Many congratulations to the committee members who organised the recent Night at the Races event and also to those who have been working away diligently obtaining new sponsors and putting up the boards. Everyone at the club is very appreciative of the new sponsors who are giving excellent support to the club.
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.
United entertained old rivals Orangefield OB who are now plying their trade in Division 1A of the NAFL in this Intermediate Cup tie. Despite Orangefield’s superior league status there was very little between the teams and the outcome eventually came down to who would convert the penalties that each would be awarded during the game.
The first half was end to end with Brian McMullan having to make a couple of saves while at the other end United went close on a few occasions through the efforts of Ian McMullan, Greg Allison and Dee Stewart. On the half hour mark United were awarded a penalty and up stepped Dalton Tate who had his spot kick saved.
The second half was much the same as the first with both teams sharing the possession. United introduced Ross Hayes for Scot Brashaw just before half time and Lee Price for Ian McMullan early in the second half.
On the hour mark Orangefield were awarded a penalty when Alex Millar was adjudged to have fouled an opponent in the penalty area. From the resulting kick Brian McMullan was unable to repeat the feat of his counterpart as the ball was dispatched high into the net. United pressed hard for an equaliser with Ben Wilson and David Kelly worked tirelessly in midfield along with Stuart McMullan to retrieve the situation.
This week United return to league action when they visit Rosario YC.
The Swifts travelled to Kilkeel without last week’s match winner Lee Price and Ross Hayes who were both called up to the first team. With the poor weather conditions the teams had to play on a heavy pitch which deteriorated as the match went on.
In the early exchanges there was little between both sides with Paul King and John McMenamin holding firm at the centre of the Swifts defence, while at the other end Graeme McMullan and Aaron McCaffrey worked tirelessly to cause problems for the Ballyvea defence.
However, mid-way through the first half Ballynahinch took control of the game and, as they pushed forward, started to create chances. The opening goal came following a period of intense pressure on the home side. When Allan Massey rifled the ball into the box, McCaffrey reacted quickest with a powerful diving header that left the keeper with no chance.
It was McCaffrey again who caused problems leading up to the second goal. Clean through, he took the ball round the home keeper who was caught outside his penalty area, only to be sent sprawling. From the resulting free kick Matt Manley stepped up to curl the ball into the top corner of the net from at least 35 yards.
The Swifts were keen to add to their lead and managed to do so spectacularly early in the second half. With Ballyvea again forced to defend in numbers inside their own box the ball broke to Gareth Bingham 25 yards out. Taking a touch with his left foot and shooting with his right, he swept the ball over the defence and the keeper into the top of the net.
As the second half progressed Ballynahinch continued to maintain pressure on the home side until an unusual situation developed. Ballyvea 1sts were playing on an adjacent pitch with an early kick off in the Bobby Dalzell Cup. When their match finished two first team players joined their 2nds to come on as substitutes. While no rules were broken, it caused a distraction for the away side and gave Ballyvea a foothold in the game.
With Ballyvea pushing forward they started to get a few chances of their own, and forced a couple of saves from McGreevy in the Ballynahinch goal, before finally finding the net. A deflected pass from the left finding an unmarked forward in the box who was able to glance the ball home. With twenty minutes left the momentum shifted to the home side and the Swifts were indebted to Stewart Wilcox for a goal line clearance to keep their two goal cushion intact.
However, the game was to take another turn with Ballynahinch stepping up their game. Massey and Bingham dropped deep in midfield and stopped the Ballyvea advance, while Manley, McMullan and McCaffrey pushed further forward to put the home side on the back foot again. Only a goal line clearance from McCaffrey’s shot and the keeper’s save from Griffith’s effort prevented a wider winning margin.
A special mention must go to veteran Ian Blackwood who came on as a substitute only to dislocate one finger and break another. Epitomising the away side’s spirit he played on without complaint and helped Ballynahinch to an excellent away victory.
This week the Swifts travel to Killough for a league encounter.
