Match report: Saintfield United 1 – 1 Ballynahinch United

Ballynahinch faced local rivals Saintfield at Pigeon Hill looking to make amends for last weekend’s defeat.

But it was Saintfield who took the lead from a long ball that bounced through to be scrambled home into the empty net.

Saintfield could’ve doubled their lead in the second half but blazed a penalty over the bar.

United had chances of their own but Ross Murray was unable to get a clinical touch to a Lee Maxwell’s stinging cross.

It was Lee who equalised after Scott Brashaw was fouled in the area.

Player of the Match: Andrew Shannon

Line up: Stefan Graham [C], Harry Wilson (John McMenamin), Alan Dickson, Scott Brashaw, Chris Coleman, Ben Wilson, Jamie McNeill, Andrew Shannon, Glenn Bennett (Anthony Greene), Lee Maxwell, Ross Murray (Luke Curry).

Swifts 2 – 6 Kilmore Rec Rovers

The Swifts faced high-flying Kilmore in the Harry Clarke Cup at The Millbridge.

The away side took the lead after 20 minutes and doubled their lead just after the half hour mark, despite good possession for Ballynahinch.

Renewed vigour in the second half saw United score twice in quick succession when Matthew Douglas pounced on a bouncing ball in the area after Graeme McMullan’s corner.

John Stevenson equalised from the spot after Ian McMullan was fouled. 

Justin Herbert threatened from the right but Ian was unable to give United the lead from his low cross.

Kilmore then capitalised and retook the lead from a free-man at the back post before adding another two while United adjusted to changes at the back after making substitutions. It could’ve been more except for the perseverance of Michael Vladeanu in the United net. 

It was Michael’s first game since January 2024 after a stint in Brighton. While Ben Rodgers also made his first appearance since April 2023 and David Corrie made his competitive debut.

Kilmore rounded off the scoring shortly before the final whistle to go through to the next round. 

Player of the Match: Michael Vladeanu

Line up: Michael Vladeanu, Justin Herbert, Matthew Tate, Will McNeill, Ben Rodgers, Graeme McMullan [C], Gareth Bingham, John Stevenson (David Corrie), Diarmuid Lavery, Ian McMullan, Matthew Douglas (Keith Hamilton)

Albion 0 – 7 Strangford II

It was a tough afternoon for the Albion against a strong Strangford side.

The Albion wore their new kit, donated by That Prize Guy, for the first time.

Player of the Match: Rhys O’Hare

Line up: Steven Chapman, Charlie Parkinson, Ryan Rooney, Lewis Roy (Liam Rodgers), Sam Lockhart, Stephen McNair [C], Callum Greene, Rhys O’Hare, Matthew Lindsay, Ethan Perkins (Thomas Casement), Greg Blunt (Nathan Cheevers).