Ballynahinch United 2 v 0 Bloomfield

United continued their recent good form with a victory over East Belfast side Bloomfield who had been having a steady season until recent weeks.

From the kick off United were on the front foot and within the first minute should have gone ahead when Maxwell shot wide when well positioned. Bloomfield responded and forced a series of corners with Brian McMullan having to make a number of timely interceptions. Ethan Majury was in exceptional form in defence along with Davy Boal, Scott Brashaw and Stuart McMullan who had their work cut out.

In midfield Aaron Cheevers, Ian Boal and Gavin Crawford put in a strong shift and their hard work was rewarded when Ian McMullan shot home from close range after 25 minutes to give United the lead. Gavin Crawford should perhaps have doubled the score just before the half time whistle but he was forced wide.

Bloomfield began the second half strongly however United started to get the ball to Johnny Gibson on the left wing were his pace and crosses caused the visiting defence a lot of trouble however their goal was not troubled as much as it should.

Gareth McMullan came on in the second half to make his first appearance since returning to the club last week and he made an instant impact when he charged down a defenders clearance. The ball spun wickedly across the penalty area and Ian McMullan sensibly waited until he brought it under control before weaving his way back onto the edge of the six yard area to shoot into the net to make it 2-0.

JJ Carlisle and Nathan Farquhar were introduced during the last quarter and they helped to reduce the threat posed by Bloomfield who were reduced to ten men in the closing minutes following a stupid second yellow card for dissent.

This was a good performance by United who travel to Lisburn Rangers this Saturday.

Ballynahinch United 2nds 3 v 2 Ballynagross 2nds

The Swifts got back to winning ways with an excellent win at home to Ballynagross 2nds.

Manager Davy Teggarty’s line up was restricted through the absence of experienced players Glynn Robinson, Johnny Stevenson and Gareth Bingham with injury. Indeed the teams early season form has been hampered by injury to key players and a series of defeats have resulted.

It was the Swifts who took the lead with a strike from Graeme McMullan however by half time Ballynagross were ahead by 2-1.

In the second half the Swifts lifted their game with David Kelly and Greg Allison prominent and they equalised from the penalty spot when Alan Massey was foulded and he gathered himself up to score from the spot.

Both teams chased the winner however the it was Ross “Chris” Bingham who won all the plaudits with his superb winning goal which made up for a glaring miss the previous week.

This was an excellent performance from the Swifts which must be repeated each week if the team are to challenge for honours. A number of players have broken into the team from the Albion and they are to be commended for their efforts particularly the youngsters.

Results elsewhere have meant that they still are in reach of the leaders with only a handful of points separating half a dozen teams.

Holywood F.C. 1 v 2 Ballynahinch United

United travelled to Seapark, Holywood for this league encounter last Saturday against a local side that has been struggling yet producing the occasional shock result. While confidence was high amongst the United squad following their superb victory over Drumaness Mills the absence of four regulars, Hayes and Cheevers who were unavailable and Davy Boal and JJ Carlisle who were suspended, was a cause for concern amongst the supporters.

Manager Keith Hamilton had to rejig his defence with Ethan Majury and Ian Boal coming in to join Scott Brashaw. In midfield David Kelly was joined by Lee Maxwell, Ian McMullan, Gavin Crawford and Stuart McMullan. Up front duo Johnny Gibson and Simon Jackson would prove to be a constant thorn in the flesh with their direct running.

United dominated possession for most of the game but they did not really create a great deal of openings primarily due to a hard working Holywood defence.

United’s big break came midway through the first half when they were awarded a penalty however the usually reliable Ian Boal hit the outside of the post.

The home side had a number of excursions into the United penalty area but their defence and goal keeper Brian McMullan dealt with everything competently.

A much different United came out in the second half and in a short period of time they were 2-0 up thanks to goals from forward duo Simon Jackson and Johnny Gibson.

It looked as if United would coast to victory but the home team scored a goal in the closing stages of the game. United introduced Greg Allison, Jay Smyth and debutant Nathan Farquhar and with a determined effort they held their lead to take all three points.

Ballynahinch United 2nds 3 v 5 Kirkistown

The Swifts entertained Kirkistown in this league encounter at Millbridge.

An early goal from Kirkistown was equalised by an Aaron McCaffrey header from a Glynn Robinson free kick.

Ross Bingham had a good opportunity to score but he miskicked in front of goal.

The visitors scored two quick goals to take a 3-1 half time lead and another two goals early in the second half seemed to put the game at 5-1 out of the reach of a much changed Swifts team.

However a couple of goals late in the half from Allan Massey [penalty] and a second from Aaron McCaffrey brought about a comeback that had the Kirkistown team reeling however they managed to hang on.

Ballynahinch United 2 v 1 Drumaness Mills

United entertained their near neighbours Drumaness Mills in this 1st Round Coca Cola Intermediate Cup tie at the Millbridge last Saturday. The weather twenty four hours before had been horrendous and when the pitch was inspected on Friday evening those who did considered it unplayable however by Saturday morning the good work that grounds man Jimmy Brown and his helpers had done during the summer bore fruit and it was game on. Unfortunately for the large number of supporters who turned up to encourage both teams on the rain started just before kick-off however to a man, women and child they stayed with it.

Drumaness Mills started the game with a strong wind in their backs and they dominated the early play winning a succession of corners however they failed to trouble a resolute United defence in which Davy Boal, Scott Brashaw, Ross Hayes and JJ Carlisle were in excellent form. United on the other hand had their attacking options restricted to breakaways and on several occasions the strong running of Simon Jackson and Johnny Gibson caused the Mills defence quite a few problems.

The Mills took the lead on the half hour mark when Davy Boal mistimed a challenge inside the penalty area and from the spot ace marksman Nathan Jones beat goal keeper Brian McMullan but only just.

The weather was deteriorating as the game went into the final fifteen minutes of the half however United seemed to increase in tempo and Jackson brought an outstanding save from the Mills keeper who seemed to injury himself in doing so. Minutes later and United were level when the Mills keeper flapped at a cross and when the ball broke free Ian Boal smashed the ball goal ward and it went in off a defender.

In the second half Drumaness Mills despite a stiff breeze in their faces played some neat football and United’s midfield of Aaron Cheevers, Ian Boal, Gavin Crawford and Ian McMullan had a lot of work to do to keep them at bay.

United were always a danger on the break and Lee Maxwell who had not been scoring with the same regularity of late arrived on the scene at the right time to rifle home the winner.

In the closing moments of the game United had two players dismissed by the referee with one the victim of a blatant head butt which everyone but the referee witnessed.  He did however see the victim try to protect himself from any further assault which was sufficient to warrant him receiving a red card.

A very disappointing end to a game that was generally played in a sporting manner and particularly so for the home team who prevailed against a strong and experienced Drumaness Mills team who are riding high in the NAFL Premier League.

Congratulations to the supporters from both teams who turned out in atrocious conditions and gave their team’s tremendous support.

This week United travel to Hollywood F.C in the league.