It was an important fixture at the bottom of NAFL 1C with Ballynahinch United hosting Orangefield OB. Both teams are also managerless after Kyle Rendall resigned from his position as First Team Manager at Ballynahinch and the Orangefield manager also left his position.
However, United didn’t let that hold them back. Both teams battle strongly in the first half with Orangefield perhaps having the better of the chances but to no avail. United were also playing well, with Charlie Parkinson excellent in defence, although the home side couldn’t find the net either and the half ended goalless.
In the second half, it was much the same in the early stages until a determined run from Ben Maxwell resulted in a rebound which the young winger turned home to give United a deserved lead.
A frantic ten minutes followed with Orangefield desperate to get back into the game, and United equally as desperate to hold onto it. However, a long throw from Orangefield caused the desired panic and was flicked skilfully over the blue’s defence into the net.
With 15 left on the clock, United were awarded a penalty when Glenn Bennett was slammed to the ground. The Ballynahinch Striker stepped up and duly delivered to regain the lead.
Orangefield threw the kitchen sink at Ballynahinch in the final stretch of the game with wave after wave of attacks on the United goal, but the defence stood strong. With 6 minutes added for injury time, United found themselves under immense pressure, and Orangefield won a corner in the dying seconds.
Every player was in the United box, but Skipper Stefan Graham came out and gratefully cleared the ball to give Ballynahinch a much needed and deserved 3 points in what could be a decisive encounter.
Man of the Match: Charlie Parkinson
Line up: Stefan Graham [C], Charlie Parkinson, Alan Dickson, Harry Wilson (Thomas Rodgers), John McMenamin, Tom Nelson, Ben Maxwell (Mark Leahy), Adrian Mee, Glenn Bennett (Ben Sullivan), Glenn Moffett, Ross Murray.
Match Report: Albion 5 – 3 Dromara Village Swifts
At Langley Road, the Albion faced local rivals Dromara Village Swifts. Goals from John Stevenson, Graeme McMullan, Justin Herbert, Lee Maxwell and a screamer from Luke Craig ensured the Albion picked up their first win of the season in a 5 – 3 victory.
The match ebbed and flowed though, with Dromara taking an early lead before United made it 2 – 1 and then 3 – 2 before the end of the first half.
At 4 – 3, the task was made more difficult when Justin Herbert received a second booking to reduce the Albion to ten-men.
But Luke Craig flicked it over an oppositions head and vollied home to add another for Matthew Lindsay’s men.
Man of the March: Ben Wilson
Line up: Stephen McNair, Ben Wilson, Ryan Rooney, Keith Hamilton (Scott Brashaw), Ethan Perkins, Gareth Bingham [C] (Liam Rodgers), Justin Herbert, Graeme McMullan, John Stevenson (Leo Elliott), Luke Craig, Lee Maxwell.