Tag: 2nds

Club Notes

The Swifts and The Albion were both in action at the weekend. The Swifts travelled to Bryansburn Rangers and continued their good form securing a point in a drawn game with McCaffrey scoring their goal.

Alan Massey continued his good form for The Albion scoring from the penalty spot for the second successive Saturday however they were unable to get back into winning ways.

The committee and members would like to express their thanks to Ian Blackwood of IB Electrical for ther generous sponsorship which is very much appreciated.

It was also great to see former player Michael Jones in attendance at Saturday’s game. Michael who is living and working in Melbourne, Australia was home recently for a family wedding and returned down under yesterday. He is playing football in one of the Victorian Leagues and secured the league championships with his team and by all accounts they are going well this season again.

Ballynahinch United II’s 1 v 1 Bangor YM II’s

Bangor YM were the visitors to Millbridge when The Swifts eventually got back to action after an astonishing nine weeks without a game. Manager Johnny Reid’s cause was not helped by a number of first team call ups however those who turned out performed brilliantly and could well have caused an upset by securing all three points against the unbeaten Bangor side.

Both halves provided the small number of spectators with plenty of action. In the opening quarter an experimental defensive set up had a few close shaves but the Bangor forwards did not take their chances while keeper Jason Stafford was at his very best.

At the other end McCaffrey was causing problems with his surging runs while in midfield Danny Reid was picking out the passes for the willing runs of lone striker Darren Fitzsimons.

It seemed that a draw was almost inevitable, however it was Bangor YM who went ahead in the 80th minute when they took the lead from the penalty spot after a rash challenge.

The Swifts had it all to do but the equaliser came quite quickly when Danny Reid launched a high free kick into the Bangor YM penalty area and despite the superior height advantage of the visiting defenders it was Aaron McCaffrey who jumped highest to head into the net.

Almost immediately from the kick off it was The Swifts who were on the attack but they were unable to get the winner.

On the day The Swifts defence of McPhail, McMullan, Bingham and Majury were outstanding while midfielders Gray, McCaffrey, Reid, Fegan and Allison worked tirelessly throughout.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Festive wishes to all players, committee members, supporters, friends & sponsors who help make this club what it is.

Lets hope the good results and successes gained in 2012 can continue into 2013 and beyond.

Be good and stay safe!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

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.

Ballynahinch United 2nds 2 v 2 1st Bangor OB 2nds

The Swifts have been having a difficult season so far however this was a game that will have pleased manager Johnny Reid even though he was laid up at home with a serious achilles injury.

It was the Swifts who had the better of the exchanges but just when they were getting on top up popped a 1st Bangor midfielder to shot home from 20 yards past keeper Jason Stafford.

Undaunted the home side kept up their good work and they were rewarded when an excellent move involving Davy Dunlop and Greg Allison was finished off by Aaron McCaffrey with a rasping shot fro the edge of the penalty area which went in off the inside of the post.
The Swifts defensive failings came back to haunt them when 1st Bangor took advantage of a poor clearance to score after 35 minutes.

For the remainder of the half it was the home side who dominated and it was no surprise that they equalised when Ethan Majury rose to head home Allison’s pin point cross.

The second half was a fairly tight affair with the visitors testing Stafford with a few long range efforts.

The Swifts best chance came in the 70th minute when Alan McMullan broke through and was fouled by the 1st Bangor keeper. Had he have been able to keep his feet he would surly have scored. The keeper was set off for his troubles and Majury’s free kick was scrambled away.

This was a much improved performance and while there is much work still to be done they will take a lot of heart from their efforts.