Tag: Aaron McCaffrey

Ballynahinch Utd IIs 3 v 3 Kilroot Recreation IIs

The Swifts entertained a Kilroot reserve side which has not won a single game this season and which was filled with first teamer’s in this enthralling league game at the Millbridge.

Aaron McCaffrey gave the Swifts the lead after ten minutes but a rash tackle on the edge of the penalty area saw Kilroot equalise with a well-placed free kick. Not long Ethan Majury conceded a penalty which was converted despite Johnny McGreevy getting a hand to it.

On the half hour mark Aaron McCaffrey got the equaliser when he rose highest in the penalty area to head home brilliantly from a Majury free kick. Kilroot who were dangerous on the break scored a third following a sweeping move down the right wing.

Paul King who had one of his poorest games by his own admission scored the equaliser before half time with a simply stunning strike from 20 yards out that shot into the roof of the net.

After this the scene was set for a rip roaring second half or so the half dozen or so supporters who braved the elements but they were to be sorely disappointed. Very few chances were created and had it not been for an excellent save just after half time from McGreevy the Swifts may not have got anything out of the game at all.

The best player on the park in the second half was teenager Greg Allison who worked his socks off on the left wing both in attack and defence and he was closely followed by the efforts of another teenager Graham McMullan who had a good game on his first start for the Swifts.

Ballynahinch United IIs 5 v 0 Civil Service

The Swifts continued their improvement in form with a resounding victory over Civil Service at the Millbridge on Saturday. From the kick off the Swifts were quickly on the attack forcing a few corners and generally dominating possession. They took the lead on ten minutes when great work on the left wing by Alan McMullan and Jordan Hayes, who was making his Swifts debut, released Greg Allison and his cross ball was hooked into the net by Aaron McCaffrey.

It was 2-0 five minutes later when the Civil Service goalkeeper needlessly bundled over Jordan Hayes in the penalty area and Darren Fitzsimmons scored from the spot.

Five minutes later Aaron McCaffrey was again on the spot to score following good work in midfield from Stevenson and Gray.

At the start of the second half Civil Service stepped up a gear but this passage of play was short-lived as the Swifts defence of Alan and Craig McMullan, Majury, Dunlop and second half substitute Gary McCracken were in fine form ensuring that veteran goalkeeper Johnny McGreevy had a fairly quiet afternoon and a clean sheet.

Stevenson in midfield was making strong runs through midfield and in the 65th minute he got to the edge of the penalty area where he unleashed a bullet of a shot into the net without the Civil Service keeper moving a muscle to make it 4-0.

In the closing minutes the same player intercepted a poor clearance to skip into the penalty area and chip the ball into the net past the on rushing keeper for his team’s fifth goal.

This week the Swifts travel to Bryansburn Rangers 2nds.

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.

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.