The management of Ballynahinch United had a challenge on their hands this weekend with an unprecedented 28 players unavailable across the club through injury, illness, work and holidays.
Despite the difficulties, all three teams still turned out which is a credit to the management and members throughout.
The Firsts were away to the new £4.3m Marrowbone Park facility to face Shamrock and found themselves ahead when Scott Brashaw sent Matthew Hall through to open the scoring.
Shamrock scored twice without reply despite Raymond Tate performing well in goals to keep United in the game.
Matthew was again the instigator in attack, setting up Lee Maxwell to equalise for 2-2 after nimble footwork in the box.
Ballynahinch had chances to secure the points but failed to make the most of their opportunities.
Shamrock capitalised and took the lead once again.
With Ballynahinch pushing forward to salvage a point Matthew was again at the forefront of the action and was fouled in the area to give United a chance to gain a point.
Lee stayed composed again to make it 3-3 for the second week in a row in additional time.
A lengthy injury break to the forward of the home team saw extra time extended and they used it to their advantage to score a heartbreaking winner.
Players of the Match: Raymond Tate and Matthew Hall
Line up: Raymond Tate, Jamie McNeill, Sé Campbell, Scott Brashaw, Matthew Hall, Christine Coleman, Thomas Rodgers, Greg Hall [C], Richard Annett, Lee Maxwell, Cameron McKissick (Graeme McMullan).
Swifts 0 – 7 Rossglass County
The Swifts were similarly struggling with the amount of players missing with just 5 featuring from the week before, while experienced veteran Keith Hamilton made his first appearance of the season.
Despite that, they performed well until conceding after 20 minutes.
An injury to Kian Connolly forced United to make use of their only sub after 35 minutes with Ian McMullan making his much anticipated return to competitive action after an ACL rupture in January 2022.
Despite a great penalty save from Young goalkeeper Jake McCarten, Ballynahinch went into half time a goal behind.
But an early goal in the second half from Rossglass saw the floodgates open at The Millbridge.
A second bookable offence saw United reduced to ten which they struggled to recover from against a strong Rossglass side.
Despite the onslaught, Jake made some great saves.
The Swifts have now been knocked out of the NFU Mutual Bobby Dalzell cup.
Player of the Match: Jake McCarten
Line up: Jake McCarten, Keith Hamilton, Matthew Tate, Will McNeill, John McMenamin [C], Roy Shilliday, Nathan Cheevers, Gareth Bingham, Diarmuid Lavery, Thomas Casement, Kian Connolly (Ian McMullan).
Albion 1 – 7 Newcastle Town Forest
A youthful Albion side fought hard with little return at Langley against an experienced Newcastle outfit.
Despite Ben Maxwell’s goal, Matthew Lindsay’s young side were unable to threaten to take the points.
Line up: Anthony Greene, Charlie Parkinson, Rhys O’Hare, Callum Greene, Greg Blunt, Ethan Perkins, Pearse Irvine (Liam Rodgers), Allan Massey (Matthew Lindsay), Glenn Bennett [C], Ben Maxwell, Luke Craig.