Tag: 2nds

Pre-season – the story so far…

Pre-season training has continued over the last number of weeks with good attendances although as expected a number have come and gone through holidays.

United have also been engaged in number of friendly matches with victories against Ballynagross and Crewe and a defeat to Ford.

All of these matches have provided the team with stiff opposition and this coming week will be no different with games against Ballymacash (Tuesday 23rd July), Rathfriland (Saturday 27th July) and Ards F.C (Tuesday 30th July).

It is good to see a few new faces as well and anyone who has not got fixed up with a club will be made more than welcome.

There will be a friendly on Wednesday 24th July at Millbridge against Rossglass for Swifts and Albion players.

Everyone at the club is looking forward to the visit of Ards F.C who will this year compete in the Irish League Premier Division.  There have always been a lot of Ards supporters around Ballynahinch and it is hoped that a good number will take the opportunity of coming along to support local football.

Club Notes

The season continues with three remaining fixtures with the Swifts playing at home on Tuesday 7th May against Saintfield United 2nds who they drew 2-2 with last Saturday and on Thursday 9th May against Groomsport 2nds. The Albion have a yet to be arranged league game away to Saintfield AYC 2nds.

The Albion entertained Maghera 2nds at Kilmore last Saturday losing 3-2. They went 2-0 down and then staged a superb fight back with two goals from Albion hot shot Alan Massey but they succumbed to a late winner.

United entertained League leaders and champions elect Immaculata in the last game of the season and despite putting up a good performance they were defeated 1-0.

On Saturday 11th May the annual Cup Final Barbecue and Fun Match will take place at the Millbridge. Full details and timings will be available at the club house during the week.

Ballynahinch United IIs 3 v 2 Ballywalter Rec. IIs

The Swifts continued their strenuous programme of fixtures when they entertained Ballywalter Rec 2nds at the Millbridge. This was most certainly a roller coaster game which could well have gone either way.

The Swifts dominated play in the first half and could well have scored a bag full but a combination of last ditch defending, great saves and rank poor finishing contrived to keep the score down.

Birthday boy Gareth Bingham opened the scoring when he fired in after 50 minutes but a rash tackle from Paul King gave Ballywalter the equaliser from the penalty spot.

Greg Allison who had played a part in the opening goal was again the play maker for the Swifts second goal when his run ended with McCaffrey executing a neat finish. Again slack defending allowed Ballywalter to equalise and a mistake by Herron left a forward with an open goal and he unbelievably placed his shot wide.

Allison’s pace and desire to pursue lost causes resulted in the Swifts winning the game when he chased down a ball that everyone thought was going out for a throw and raced into the penalty before squaring to Herron who shot into the net.

Ballynahinch United IIs 3 v 2 Greencastle Rovers IIs

Day light robbery was all one could describe the outcome of this game which was played on Tuesday 23rd April but sometimes you need a bit of good fortune.

In the first half the Swifts spurred on by Scot Brashaw in midfield laid siege to the Greencastle goal but it was the visitors who took the lead when Stafford spilled a cross and a forward slid the ball into the empty net. The equaliser came on the half hour mark when Brashaw chipped the ball through to McCaffrey and he took it on the chest before shooting calmly past the keeper.

The visitors took the lead shortly afterwards when a free kick was driven into the six yard box for Ross Hayes to deflect it into the net for an own goal.

Just before half time Scot Brashaw equalised when he guided a loose ball into the net from ten yards.

In the second half Greencastle dominated possession and how they didn’t score is something of a miracle, however in the closing quarter the Swifts came back into the game forcing several corners. Greencastle actually cleared the last corner but as they rushed out Aaron McCaffrey timed his run perfectly to run onto a Paul King cross to head the winner.

The Swifts played another game on Thursday night away to Suffolk and they also secured all three points with a winner from Ian McMullan.