Saturday saw football return to The Millbridge after last week’s late postponement. A strong Portavogie side made the trip to Ballynahinch, a team who got the better of ‘hinch last season.
The opening ten minutes saw both teams struggle to get on the ball with Portavogie having slightly more possession.
Rhys Patterson was making an impact on the right wing but it was Portavogie who struck first. A long ball which caught the sleeping Ballynahinch defence off-guard allowed the Portavogie winger to get in behind, turn the defender and slot past Stefan Graham in nets.
However, this goal pushed Ballynahinch on. The Ballynahinch midfield of Gavin Crawford, Greg Hall and Ronnie Johnston began to make their impact and Ballynahinch came into the game. A ball won in midfield by Gavin, found its way to Ronnie who was able to slip it out wide for Rhys Patterson to run onto. Rhys got to the ball just before the sliding Portavogie Defender brought him down in the box. Lee Maxwell kept his cool and slotted home the equaliser from the spot.
Ballynahinch were the better side for the remainder of the half however, luck would turn against them. When Stefan picked up a nasty hand injury while coming out to claim a corner.
Defender Chris Coleman took it upon himself to dawn the goalkeeper gloves for the second half with Matthew Hall coming into the back line to replace him.
Unfortunately, for Chris he was unable to keep a debut clean sheet as within five minutes of the restart Portavogie were able to retain their lead from a set piece.
The second half saw both teams fail to create many chances. Alan Dickson and Cameron Missick were introduced in the second half to try create an opportunity for the home side, with both performing well.
Although little was created from either side, stand-in goalkeeper Chris Coleman made two excellent saves when called upon to keep united within touching distance.
The team battled hard but the second half saw little created for the home side and the match ended in a 2-1 defeat for Ballynahinch.
Speedy recovery to Stefan Graham who suffered a broken finger.
Player of the Match: Greg Hall
Line up: Stefan Graham (Matthew Hall), Thomas Rodgers, Stuart McMullan, Scott Brashaw, Chris Coleman, Gavin Crawford, Ronnie Johnston, Greg Hall, Jack Patterson, Lee Maxwell (Cameron McKissick), Rhys Patterson (Alan Dickson).
Dundrum United 4 – 1 Swifts
The Swifts looked to build on their fantastic start against Killough last week but things didn’t go to plan when they went behind after seven minutes.
Dundrum added a second before the break as Ballynahinch struggled to make any real impression on the game.
Shortly after the break, Dundrum compounded The Swifts’ misery with a third.
Jonny Dickson, who captained the side, pulled one back just two minutes later with an excellent free-kick but was replaced after a nasty injury.
Dundrum added a fourth to complete the scoring.
Speedy recovery to Jonny Dickson who ruptured his Achilles.
Congratulations to Justin Herbert who made his debut for the club with an impressive performance.
Player of the Match: Justin Herbert
Line up: Jake McCarten, Justin Herbert, Roy Shilliday, Tyler Dickson, Jamie McNeill, Andrew Shannon (Thomas Casement), Luke Craig (Nathan Cheevers), Gareth Bingham, Jonny Dickson [C] (Kian Connolly), Diarmuid Lavery, Luke Curry.
Saintfield United Swifts 1 – 4 Albion
An Albion side mixed with youth and some experience took lessons from last week’s game with Castlewellan by starting on the front foot this week against Saintfield.
It took just three minutes before a break away from Kyle Steenson on the left wing crossed to Ben Maxwell, who slotted the ball home to open the scoring.
Albion continued to attack the Saintfield goal, and on the 20th minute, a throw-in from Ryan Rooney was chested down by experienced forward Glenn Bennett, who spun his marker and struck into the top right corner of the net to make it 2-0.
In the second half, the Albion continued where they left off although Saintfield had their chances throughout the game. However, these were well dealt with by a solid back 4 of Ryan Rooney, Lewis Roy, Greg Blunt and Charlie Parkinson.
On the 60th minute, Albion were awarded a free kick roughly 30 yards from goal, however this was no mean feat for Kyle Steenson, who stepped up and floated the ball into the top left corner of the net to give the Albion a crucial third goal to make it 3-0. And 10 minutes later, Steenson would score again to make it 4-0 through another Ryan Rooney throw-in which Steenson picked up and ran down the wing and into the box to poke it past the Saintfield ‘keeper.
The clean sheet looked to be on the cards after an outstanding finger tipped save from veteran goalkeeper, Anthony Greene.
But a lapse in concentration saw Saintfield pulled one back from the penalty spot to make it 4-1.
Overall, a very positive performance from an Albion side with plenty of young players playing their first season in senior football. Hopefully they can continue to progress as the season goes on.
Speedy recovery to Lewis Roy who suffered a fractured wrist.
Player of the Match: Ryan Rooney and Kyle Steenson
Line up: Anthony Greene, Charlie Parkinson, Ryan Rooney, Lewis Roy (Pearse Irvine), Greg Blunt, Ethan Perkins (Liam Rodgers), Callum Greene, Rhys O’Hare, Glenn Bennett [C], Kyle Steenson (Matthew Lindsay).