Ballynahinch United Swifts travelled to Kirkistown this week in a match which looked a tight affair on paper as both teams had the same number of points after the early stages of the season.
For the first ten minutes it was the Swifts who did most of the attacking with Ross Murray starting his first senior game playing well down the left. Swifts were awarded a number of free kicks after Allison and Cheevers were both upended but they could not quite find the telling delivery into the box.
Then a long ball break saw Kirkistown have their 1st chance but John McMenamin saved well, however another long ball saw the home team score from what seemed to be an offside position. Sadly worse was to follow when Fitzpatrick cleared the ball as a Kirkistown forward advanced into the penalty area and with players from both sides expecting a corner referee Lowey unexpectedly awarded a penalty kick which was gratefully converted to leave the Swifts trailing by 2 at half time.
In the second half Kirkistown were content to hold onto what they had by soaking up lots of pressure. Numerous half chances came for the Swifts with Cheevers rounding the keeper but having no angle to score while McCaffrey rose well at a corner but could not get the necessary power into his header.
Defensively the Swifts played well with full backs Graeme McMullan and Alex Burtney prominent in both defence and attack while Bingham and Fitzpatrick played steadily in central defence.
Kirkistown made their victory secure in the closing quarter when they converted after Burtney was adjudged to have handled the ball and the resulting penalty was blasted home giving McMenamin no chance.
Overall this was a good performance from the youthful Swifts squad with manager Alan Davis introducing new players to senior football on a week by week basis which is very encouraging from the club’s point of view.