Tag: Aaron Cheevers

Pre-Season Friendly Match Report: Ballynahinch United 5 – 2 Bloomfield

Ballynahinch United played Bloomfield on Saturday in an entertaining fixture. In the starting line up we had 16 year olds Alex Burtney and Jack Davis and manager Keith Hamilton can only be delighted with their contribution.

We got off to a terrible start when we conceded with a ball over the top in the opening minutes that was well finished by the visiting forward.

From that moment on United took control and started to play some free flowing football, driven on by the impressive partnership of Kennedy and Tate, who bossed the game all day long. It was 1-1 when Cheevers got on the end of a flowing move to finish well. United took the lead a few minutes later when the impressive Cheevers doubled his tally from a Kelly cross.

The second half started with the introduction of 17 year old Scott Cheevers who had a very impressive debut linking beautifully with brother Aaron to keep the visiting defence on edge. It wasn’t long until Aaron completed his hat-trick with a neat finish.

It was 4-1 to United midway through the second half when a lovely move fell into the stride of Jordan Kennedy, who took 2 touches and rifled the ball past the keeper from the edge of the box.

The 5th goal came from another 16 year old when Craig Tate took the ball down and beat the keeper impressively.

One of the highlights of the day was when Adam Herron made his comeback from injury after over a year out and he looked like he was never away.

With 8 first team regulars missing Keith Hamilton will have plenty of choices to make before the season starts.

Pre-Season Friendly Match Report: Ballynahinch United 3 – 0 Moneyslane

Ballynahinch United got their preseason underway with a friendly against Mid-Ulster side Moneyslane at Millbridge last Saturday. Manager Keith Hamilton was missing a number of first team squad members, however it gave him the chance to give some of the youth team an opportunity to show what they can do and when the chance came they most certainly did.

The home side were on top for most of the first half with David Kelly running the midfield aided and abetted by Alex Miller, Gavin Crawford, Jordan Kennedy and Stuart Hunter.

Moneyslane came more into the game in the latter stages of the first half and early part of the second and defensively Greg Allison, Ross Hayes, Ethan Majury and Scot Brashaw were in commanding form while goalkeeper Brian McMullan came to the rescue on several occasions. Aaron Cheevers played up front on his own and his hold up play and distribution was excellent throughout.

United took the lead in the 30th minute when a bit of quick thinking by Cheevers led to a free kick being taken quickly for Kelly to lash it home past the visiting keeper.

During the second half four youth team players – Craig Tate, Alex Burtney, Ben Ohnuo and Jack Davis were introduced into the team and as they have been training with the seniors since late June they didn’t look one bit out of place. It was during the latter stages of the game that United increased their lead with two goals from Cheevers and Kennedy. In the 75th minute Aaron Cheevers latched onto a through ball and fired an unstoppable shot into the net while in the 85th minute Jordan Kennedy stepped up to score from the penalty spot.

This was a great start to the season however a lot of hard work has still to be done in preparation for the seasons start on 13th August at home to Wellington Rec. in the Steel & Sons Cup.

Training sessions continue each Tuesday and Thursday evening at the Millbridge and new players will be made very welcome.

Next Saturday afternoon [23rd July] United will entertain Bloomfield at the Millbridge.

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 2 v 0 Ballywalter Recreation

United entertained Ballywalter Recreation in this league encounter at Millbridge last Saturday.

The visitors are struggling at the wrong end of the league table and were keen to take all three points from their hosts and their intentions were obvious from the kick off as they dominated possession. A stout defensive display from Adam Herron, Scott Brashaw, Davy Boal and Ethan Majury held them at bay with Bryan McMullan’s safe handling copper fastening their overall play. As the game progressed United became more of an attacking force with Aaron Cheevers causing problems with his surging runs aided and abetted by his forward partner Gareth McMullan who was holding the ball up well.

In midfield Dalton Tate, Stuart McMullan, David Kelly and Greg Allison defended and attacked in equal measure.

United took the led from the penalty spot after 35 minutes following foul on Gareth McMullan. A brilliant through ball out of central midfield sent Cheever free and as he surged into the penalty area he cut the ball back to Gareth McMullan who was pushed over as he went to shoot. Cheevers stepped up and slotted the spot kick confidently into the net.

Just before half time United lost experienced defender Adam Herron with a nasty injury which following attendance by the Ambulance Service and a visit to the hospital has been diagnosed as a fracture.

In the second half both teams attacked without creating any clear opportunities however in the closing quarter things changed significantly with both goalkeepers making excellent saves. Aaron McCaffrey went close on a number of occasions as United make every effort to secure the three points.

Manager Keith Hamilton introduced Ian McMullan to the game for the last quarter and his fresh legs created lots of problems for the visitors defence and in the 80th minute when he was released free on goal the Ballywalter keeper brought him down well outside the area and he received a red card. Minutes later Ian McMullan scored United’s second when his goal bound shot was deflected past the stand in keeper to make it 2 – 0. Craig McMullan made his comeback after being unavailable for a number of weeks and he combined with brother Stuart to make numerous forays down the left wing in the closing stages.

This was not one of United’s best displays however each and every player played their part in securing the win. The unfortunate injury to Adam Herron marred the success of the day and  everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery. Adam is a very popular player senior player who has turned in numerous top class committed performances over the years and his team mates and the club’s supporters are looking forward to seeing him back in action very soon.

Match Report: Grove United 2 v 2 Ballynahinch United

United traveled to the Shore Road on Saturday last for this league encounter with Grove United who have had a series of good results in recent  weeks including a surprise defeat of Olympic a few weeks ago.

United started strongly and unlike some of their recent games their early endeavor was rewarded when Ethan Majury scored. For the remainder of the half United continued to play flowing football but that essential second goal did not come.

Grove came out with more conviction in the second half and secured an equaliser however United soon got on the front foot and Aaron Cheevers scored to give his team a deserved lead.

All over the pitch United worked tirelessly but again failure to put clear light between them and the opposition meant that they were vulnerable and Grove got a vital equaliser which may ultimately prove decisive in their fight to move away from the relegation zone.

This week United welcome Ballywalter Recreation, another team threatened with relegation, to the Millbridge.

The Swifts Supplementary Cup match against Strangford was postponed for a fourth time.

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 0 v 1 Dromara Village

Clarence Cup

The Millbridge was the setting for the first derby game between these two sides for quite a few years and while the football wasn’t very exciting there was no shortage of action as both teams ended the game with nine players.

United entered the game missing Adam Herron due to suspension and the unavailable Paul Dickson however they were buoyed by the return of Aaron Cheevers who transferred to United from Temple Rangers during the week.

The first half was keenly contested with neither of the two goalkeepers seeing any real action however the referee was very much the centre of things booking United players David Kelly, Ross Hayes and Ethan Majury and surprisingly no Dromara Village players despite an equal amount of fouls and confrontations.

United’s best chance came from Aaron McCaffrey whose spectacular overhead kick sailed over the Dromara crossbar.

The second half continued much the same as the first with both teams cancelling each other out however the referee intervened again on the hour mark when he gave Ross Hayes a second yellow card for a foul in the penalty area – an incident that was hotly disputed as any contact was as much due to the Dromara player jumping into the United players back.

The resulting penalty was taken by the Dromara goalkeeper Kieran Gordon but the weak effort was palmed around the post by Bryan McMullan. As a result of the red card, United’s defence had to be reorganised with Gavin Crawford joining Scott Brashaw in the central area with Majury and Davy Boal on either side.

United should have scored after seventy minutes when Dalton Tate and Stuart McMullan combined to put McCaffrey on the left wing and he cut in to cross the ball but the onrushing Ian McMullan couldn’t keep his shot down.

The game truly exploded in the 75 minute with three players, one United and two Dromara, being sent off following a foul on the edge of the Dromara penalty area. This resulted in United’s Davy Boal being set upon by at least half a dozen visiting players with fists and even what appeared to be a “Kung Fu” kick. The referee could easily have sent a lot more players from the field for what was a most disappointing incident.

The only goal came in the 81st minute when Dromara broke away on the right wing and a low cross was palmed out by keeper Bryan McMullan into the path of Dromara forward Johnny Gray who diverted it into the net. This however was not without its controversy either as the ball came at Gray so quickly it hit his chest and then went into the net off his left arm. The referee was so far behind play he could not have seen it and so United’s fate was sealed and the Dromara players and large contingent of supporters celebrated their victory.

In the closing minutes United fought gamely to get back into the game but Dromara held out to go into the second round.