Tag: Ian McMullan

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 1 v 1 Dunmurry YM (27/09/14)

United entertained Dunmurry YM at the Millbridge last Saturday (27th September). Despite the absence of a number of first team regulars due to the wedding of centre back Ross Hayes the home team were still able to field a strong line-up and from the start they controlled the game. The defensive combination of the experienced Davy Boal with Paul King was solid throughout while full backs Ethan Majury and Craig McMullan were constantly supplementing the midfield at every opportunity.

The visitors were content to attack on the break and due to their poor start to the season were obviously happy to fight for a point.

United took the lead after 20 minutes when Gavin Crawford converted a move that started with good work on the right wing by David Kelly and Ethan Majury.

In the 30th minute a brilliant through ball from Dalton Tate left the Dunmurry defence flat footed and Ian McMullan was sent free on goal however his side footed effort went agonisingly past the post.

Stuart McMullan and Aaron McCaffrey combined on a number of occasions in the first half but could not create any openings as Dunmurry defended resolutely. In the closing stages of the first half Dunmurry won a number of free kicks and it was from one of these that they equalised. Their high free kick was headed around the edge of the penalty area before falling to their centre forward who was standing in front of goalkeeper Brian McMullan at least three yards off side. He headed the ball into the net and everyone in the ground was waiting for a free kick but instead the referee gave the goal.

In the second half United launched wave after wave of attacks with Ian McMullan having a header brilliantly saved, Aaron McCaffrey seeing his deflected shot go wide of the goalkeepers legs as he dived in the opposite direction and finally in the closing minutes Dalton Tate’s free kick cannoning off the cross bar.

While United were disappointed with the result their overall performance and drive on what was a very warm day could not have been better.

Club Notes

The 1sts travelled to East Belfast and were very unlucky to come out losers in a seven goal thriller. Twice they led through goals from Ian McMullan but unfortunately a late brace of goals saw them denied a share of the spoils. A late penalty by David Kelly could not be bettered.

Players and club members are reminded that club memberships are now due and should be paid as soon as possible.

Awards Night

Saturday 3rd of May saw Ballynahinch United hold their annual dinner and presentation of awards in the Primrose Bar, Ballynahinch. As usual there were a large number of committee, players and supporters in attendance.

Following a very enjoyable meal which was to the usual high standards of the Primrose Bar the Club Chairman Gilbert Cromie officially welcomed everyone. Summarising the past year the Chairman expressed his sadness that the Club’s Third team (Albion) had to withdraw from the league due to a shortage of players and it was his hope that it would be restored once again next season. He made particular mention of the outstanding work of the management teams of Keith Hamilton, Colin Murray, Davy Teggarty, Johnny McGreevy and Paul Allison and he paid tribute to the commitment of the players both at training and on the field of play.

He highlighted the vital work of the club officers and committee and very importantly the faithful supporters and sponsors who make such an important contribution. Special mention was made of the long-time contributions of senior club members Jimmy Brown and Winston Brown for all the hours they put in maintaining the facilities and faithful supporters Billy Hamilton and his wife Sally who never miss a home or most away matches with Sally providing sandwiches for all home fixtures which is much appreciated.

Turning to the club awards the Chairman congratulated and made a presentation to first team goalkeeper Bryan McMullan who has been included in the Northern Amateur League squad for the amateur International against their Scottish counterparts which took place at Killyleagh on Saturday 10th May.

The Chairman then invited the management teams to come forward and present the awards for the 2013/14 season which were as follows:

Ballynahinch Swifts
Player’s Player – Aaron McCaffrey and Alan Massey [shared]
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Managers Player – Shaun Bonner
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Leading Scorer – Aaron McCaffrey

Ballynahinch United
Player’s Player – Scott Brashaw
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Managers Player – Scott Brashaw
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Leading Scorer- Ian McMullan
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Club Young Player of the Year – JJ Carlisle
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A signed shirt was presented to the first team attendant Steven Jess who is standing down from the role due to family commitments although he will remain on the committee.
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The very popular and much sought after Golden Boot award was introduced by club stalwart Wilson Hamilton and through numerous comic moments and false trails to both hint but keep the audience and recipient guessing to the last possible moment the winner was announced as Ross Hayes to rapturous applause.
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Match Report: Ballynahinch United 4 v 0 Hollywood F.C.

United entertained the relegation threatened Hollywood F.C. in this league encounter and they secured all three points with a battling performance.

The first half was generally poor with United having the lion share of the play however they could not find the elusive first goal despite laying siege to the Hollywood goal mouth. United midfield of Carlisle, Brashaw, Ian Boal, Cheevers and Herron worked tirelessly reducing the visitors to occasional breakaways but despite a number of surges forward they never really troubled Brian McMullan in the home goal.

Despite what was a frustrating first half it was United who went ahead on the stroke of half time thanks to the persistence of Ian McMullan who chased a back pass charging down the keeper’s clearance which cannoned off his body into the net.

In the early stages of the second half the visitors pegged United back with Hayes, Davy Boal and Herron, who dropped back into defence for Stuart McMullan who took a knock late in the first half and was replaced at half time by Lee Maxwell.

Having repelled Hollywood’s early dominance United started to get back into the game and they increased their lead on the hour mark when a shot from Ian Boal was parried by the visiting keeper and as the alert Maxwell pounced on the loose ball he was brought down and referee Hazzard gave a penalty. Up stepped Aaron Cheevers to fire the ball into the net. Ten minutes later United had the game wrapped up when Lee Maxwell ran in on goal and passed the ball under the advancing keeper and into the net.

United penned Hollywood into their own half and following some excellent passing exchanges on the right wing Cheevers chipped the ball into the penalty area and Ian McMullan rose high to glance the ball into the net to make the score 4-0.

Next week United travel to Newtownards to take on 1st Bangor Old Boys.

Grove United 0 v 2 Ballynahinch United

United travelled to the Shore Road, Belfast on Saturday for this league encounter with Grove United – a team who they have not played for a number of years. A strong wind blowing across the pitch made play difficult throughout, however United coped with the conditions much better than they had expected.

The game was end to end throughout with plenty of chances being created by both teams however United’s defence of Hayes, Carlisle and Stuart McMullan provided excellent cover to keeper Brian McMullan.

United opened the scoring on 20 minutes when Johnny Gibson scored a thirty yard screamer of a free kick which gave the Grove keeper no chance. United were very much in the ascendency at this stage with their midfield of Crawford, Ian Boal, Brashaw and Cheevers creating opening for the runs of Gibson and Jackson.

On the half hour mark Ian Boal had a penalty brilliantly saved by the Grove keeper after Gibson had been upended.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first however the slender 1 goal lead never seemed like it would be enough but the introduction of Ian McMullan, Greg Allison and Lee Maxwell gave United a fresh impetus and they were able to get the upper hand with a good finish from Ian McMullan.

United entertain Grove United at Millbridge this Saturday with a 2.00pm kick off.