Ballywalter Rec IIs 3 v 3 Ballynahinch United IIs

The Swifts recommenced their programme of league fixtures at Ballywalter on Saturday which will be intensive as they clear up a backlog due to a considerable number of postponements.

The home side started brightly with Jason Stafford having to field a few long crosses and shots however it was the Swifts who took an early lead when Scott McKibbin nipped in to toe poke a loose ball into the net. He and strike partner Darren Fitzsimmons were causing mayhem with their darting runs onto passes from midfielders Gareth Bingham and Ian Boal.

Midway through the first half Scott McKibbin got his second and the Swifts looked as if they were on their way to a victory. Indeed this looked even more likely when the Ballywalter central defender was dismissed for an unprovoked punch into the face of Scott McKibbin for which he duly received a red card.

In the second half Ballywalter threw everything at the Swifts and their defence of Paul and Steven King, Davy Dunlop and Craig McMullan had to be on their toes however the team conceded two goals in the 60th and 75th minute and things looked ominous.

Despite the waves of attack from the home team the Swifts were a constant threat from the runs of Greg Allison who had an excellent game and the introduction of teenager Graham McMullan also proved an excellent move.

The long throws of Paul King were a useful weapon throughout and it was from one of these that Ian Boal scored when he thundered a header into the net in the 88th minute. This was a lead that the Swifts could not sustain as an over eager tackle from Steven King gave Ballywalter a penalty from which they scored.

While it was disappointing not to get all three points manager Johnny Reid will be pleased with the teams overall performance.

Club Notes

United had no game on Saturday having played league leaders Immaculata on Thursday night under floodlights at Grosvenor Leisure Centre. Despite losing 3-1 they put in a good performance with Johnny Hunter scoring from the penalty spot. This Saturday United travel to Sirocco Works for a league fixture.

The Albion’s home game against Ballynagross was postponed due to a snow bound pitch.

This week the Swifts travel to Groomsport on Tuesday night and then entertain the same team on Saturday at Millbridge.

Ballynahinch United 1 v 0 Ballywalter Rec.

United entertained Ballywalter Recreation in this league game at Millbridge on Saturday. The weather conditions and the pitch were in excellent condition for the start of this game however things would be a lot different in the second half. United started the brighter against a Ballywalter team who are struggling at the bottom of the league and they went close on a number of occasions in the early stages. A Jay Smyth shot sailed over the cross bar while the Ballywalter goalkeeper and his defenders managed to block efforts from Steven Kennedy and Ian McMullan.

United sent wave after wave of attack on the Ballywalter defence and it was from a long throw in the 21st minute from McCauley Foster that they took the lead thanks to a couple of defensive deflections and the intervention of Ian McMullan who claimed the last touch.

Any hopes that this would open the flood gates were sadly mistaken as Ballywalter staged a number of counter attacks in search of an equaliser and United’s defensive formation of Hayes, Foster and Brashaw had to be at their very best along with Brian McMullan who pulled off a number of good saves. In midfield Stuart McMullan seemed to be on the end of all of United’s attacks while Cheevers, Smyth and Hunter passed the ball about with ease.

United will have been disappointed that they had not increased their lead by half time particularly as the weather was deteriorating with sleet and snow falling. The good attendance of spectators who were huddled at every sheltered location around the ground were looking for some sparkling football and more goals to cheer them up in the second half but that is not the way things would turn out.

Ballywalter to their credit pressed forward at times hemming United into their half and the introduction of substitutes Ian Boal, David Kelly and Adam Herron whilst strengthening United defensively failed to inject that extra spark into attack.

Several long range efforts from Ian Boal caused the Ballywalter defence some discomfort and Ian McMullan shot narrowly wide while the running of Aaron Cheevers led to a number of free kicks in decent positions but Johnny Hunter could not conjure up any magic.

In the closing minutes Johnny Hunter put in an outstanding tackle to clear the ball for a corner after a Ballywalter forward was put through on goal. Not long after the referee blew the final whistle to bring proceedings to an end and give United a hard earned three points.

Supporters should keep in touch with club officials this week regarding the next league fixture as although United are supposed to be away to Immaculata in the league they are supposed to be playing in the Clarence Cup that day.

Ballynahinch United 1 v 1 Dunmurry YM

United entertained Dunmurry YM at the Millbridge on Saturday in a league game. Encounters between these teams have traditionally been close and this one was no different.

United dominated the opening exchanges and should have been ahead however the underside of the crossbar came to the rescue of Dunmurry YM in the 10th minute following great work by McMullan while their keeper produced an outstanding save from an Adam Herron thunderbolt from the edge of the penalty area that looked goal bound all the way.

The home side were playing some great football however the lack of a goal to provide that extra bit of encouragement and the absence of new striker Steven Kennedy through illness was a disappointment for the large contingent of supporters who were looking forward to his home debut.

Defensively United were well organised with Davy Boal, Ross Hayes, McCauley Foster and Adam Herron dominating however it was the visitors who breached the United goal when a forward toe poked a loose ball into the roof of the net giving Brain McMullan no chance.

In the second half, United surged forward in search of an equaliser with Hunter, Brashaw and Smyth linking very well however the Dunmurry rear-guard were in no mood to give up their lead.

The introduction of substitutes Craig Bowman and Scott McKibbin together with a change of formation gave United a significant territorial advantage with Cheever’s getting more service and the forcing a number of corners.

Smyth who is one of the smaller players on the pitch almost scored in the 70th minute when he rose to head wide under pressure however the visitors did not learn their lesson and when McMullan sent over another well placed corner Jay Smyth was in the right place to head the ball into the net.

In the closing minutes the game became very open and McMullan in the United goals had to be at his best defending a number of well-placed free kicks while at the other end Ross Hayes almost won the game for United when he climbed above the Dunmurry YM defence to head goal ward but the keeper managed to grab the ball.

This was a hard earned point for United however they fully deserved it for the quality of their play and percentage of play.