League leaders Dundonald arrived at
the Millbridge with an air of confidence expecting an easy win. Their 10-strong management strolled around expecting nothing less.
However, Ballynahinch frustrated the away side and had some of the better chances but were unable to connect the final pass, with Thomas Rodgers, Lee Maxwell and Ross Murray unable make to make the pressure count.
A frustrated Dundona found a slice of luck when they turned home on the stroke of half time after a fine save from Stefan Graham.
In the second half, United were on top once again. The neutral couldn’t have told who was who in the league table, although no real chances were created from either side.
But Dundonald were fortunate to add to their lead after prodding home after a missed clearance in the box.
Ballynahinch reduced the deficit in a flash though. From a free-kick, quick-thinking Scotty Brashaw found Ross Murray just inside the Dundonald box, his Berbatov-esque turn gave him clearance to slot home/
It was a well-earned from Ballynahinch, but they conceded once again a short time later, although battled through to the end. Jamie McNeill was unfortunate to see red with the last kick of the game with a lunging tackle to salvage a bobbling ball.
Despite the result, it was a promising performance from u tied despite missing multiple regulars through a variety of reasons, while the teenaged included show their quality for now and the future.
Player of the Match: Jamie McNeill
Line up: Stefan Graham [C], Charlie Parkinson, John McMenamin, Scott Brashaw, Chris Coleman, Jamie McNeill, Thomas Rodgers, Andrew Shannon, Glenn Bennett (Ian McMullan), Lee Maxwell (Luke Curry), Ross Murray.
Swifts 2 – 3 Ballynahinch Olympic Town
It was Derby Day, with the fixture switched to Langley Playing Fields.
With the squads weakened throughout due to work, injury and illness, a determined United side battled well against their local rivals.
The Away side took the lead after half an hour but United battled back and scored minutes later when a dangerous set piece was turned home by the opposition defence.
United took the lead in the second half. The rapid Patrick Harkin latched onto a loose ball to turn home.
With not much creativity from either side, the game looked to be petering out into non-existence but sloppiness in the Swifts defence saw Olympic equalise late on.
Within seconds, Olympic went ahead late through a penalty much to the home team’s heartbreak.
Both teams were then reduced to ten after an unnecessary scuffle, with Matthe Tate receiving his marching orders for Ballynahinch United
Player of the Match: Tyler Dickson
Line up: Gareth Bingham, Justin Herbert, Matthew Tate, Keith Hamilton, Tyler Dickson, Ben Rodgers, Ben Wilson, Graeme McMullan [C], Patrick Harkin, Matthew Douglas.
Castlewellan II 1 – 4 Albion
The thirds were unlucky throughout. Despite taking an early lead through an own goal created by Ross Duffield, they were unable to prevent a strong home side from capitalising on individual errors.
Player of the Match: Callum Greene and Lewis Roy
Line up: Jake McCarten, Stephen McNair (Bradley Herbert), Thomas Casement, Lewis Roy, Greg Blunt, Ross Duffield, Rhys O’Hare, Callum Greene, Anthony Greene, Ethan Perkins, Matthew Lindsay.