Just an hour before kick off, the heavens opened to mark what would be a wet and miserable afternoon for Ballynahinch.
The home side were missing six first team regulars, including 5 defenders, while Gareth King was also absent through illness.
With a makeshift defence, United never got started and found themselves behind early on.
Defenders, Richard Annett and Alan Patterson were then replaced after picking up more injuries to add to United’s list.
Saintfield soon doubled their lead after poking home a goalmouth scramble.
United battled their way back with David Kelly and Gregg Allison threatening in attack while Naseem Ouldhamlat saw some long-range efforts fly over.
The pitch and weather worsened and so did the scoreline for Ballynahinch when a brilliant volley from outside the box found the back of the net seconds before the break.
Things went from bad to worse immediately after the restart when Saintfield added a fourth.
The Blues performed better but Graeme McMullan and Robbie Lurring failed to convert their opportunities to reduce the deficit.
Again, Ethan Majury was replaced in defence. David Kelly and Gavin Crawford were forced to play out of position but performed superbly.
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Apache Pizza Ballynahinch Player of the Match: David Kelly
Line Up: Stefan Graham [C], Ethan Majury (Luke Craig), Sam Lurring, Alan Patterson (Jamie McNeill), Richard Annett (Thomas Rodgers), Gavin Crawford, Gregg Alisson, David Kelly, Graeme McMullan, Naseem Ouldhamlat, Robbie Lurring.
Match report: Tollymore Forest 4 – 2 B Swifts
Swifts started strongly moving the ball about well in midfield on the impressive surface which held up remarkably well despite the atrocious weather conditions.
They could and probably should have taken the lead when the ball broke to Kian Connolly on edge of box with goal at his mercy but unfortunately he shot wide after good work from Cameron McKissick and Ben Ford.
However, they fell behind when a speculative effort slipped through Michael Vladenau’s hands in the very wet conditions.
Swifts responded well and levelled after a great run by Cameron down the left, his cross was met by Ben Ford and it looked destined for the net only for the ‘keeper to produce a good save. But Kian was there to follow up.
Vladenau would make amends soon after with a superb double save from a tollymore penalty, initially saving the first kick and the rebound.
The Swifts went into the second half in a confident mood but a disastrous 10 minute spell saw them concede three quick fire goals which would ultimately take the game away from them.
To their credit they never gave up and dominated the remainder of the game.
Ben Maxwell, who was stepping up from the under 16s was introduced and made an immediate impact in an impressive cameo.
He linked well with Gareth Bingham down the right, and from Gareth’s cross, Cameron was able to take a touch and finish well to give some hope.
Swifts continued to push and push and had a number of chances through Allan Massey, Ben Ford, Keith Hamilton and Cameron but couldn’t convert.
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Apache Pizza Ballynahinch Player of the Match: Ryan Rooney
Line Up: Michael Vladeanu [C], Ryan Rooney, Liam Rodgers,Will McNeill, Stephen McNair, Keith Hamilton, Allan Massey, Gareth Bingham, Cameron McKissick, Ben Ford, Kian Connolly (Ben Maxwell).
