Category: Fixtures

Match Report: Grove United 2 v 2 Ballynahinch United

United traveled to the Shore Road on Saturday last for this league encounter with Grove United who have had a series of good results in recent  weeks including a surprise defeat of Olympic a few weeks ago.

United started strongly and unlike some of their recent games their early endeavor was rewarded when Ethan Majury scored. For the remainder of the half United continued to play flowing football but that essential second goal did not come.

Grove came out with more conviction in the second half and secured an equaliser however United soon got on the front foot and Aaron Cheevers scored to give his team a deserved lead.

All over the pitch United worked tirelessly but again failure to put clear light between them and the opposition meant that they were vulnerable and Grove got a vital equaliser which may ultimately prove decisive in their fight to move away from the relegation zone.

This week United welcome Ballywalter Recreation, another team threatened with relegation, to the Millbridge.

The Swifts Supplementary Cup match against Strangford was postponed for a fourth time.

BUFC Notes

United’s annual Last Man Standing fundraiser gets under way this weekend. Anyone wishing to enter should contact any committee member before Saturday and all those who have already entered should make their team selections before Saturday.

Everyone at BUFC would like to wish Billy Hamilton Sen. a speedy recovery after his recent hospitalisation and look forward to seeing him and Sally back at the Millbridge very soon.

The Swifts game against Strangford in the Supplementary Cup was postponed on saturday past and it is hoped that it will take place at Millbridge this Saturday at 1.30pm.

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 2nds 1 v 1 Ballyvea 2nds

The Swifts entertained table toppers Ballyvea 2nds in this league match at the Millbridge last Saturday.

Both teams appeared to be at full strength and they served up an exciting afternoon fair. The Swifts took the game to their more experienced opponents from the first whistle with Gareth Bingham and Graeme McMullan proving to be a constant threat to the Ballyvea defence which looked solid throughout.

McNeill, King, McMenamin and Bonner worked tirelessly in defence to keep the Ballyvea attack in check while in midfield McPhail, Massey, Manly and Wilson won a lot of possession with their quick closing down of the opposition.

A 0 – 0 score line at half time was not surprising as both teams generally cancelled each other out with neither goalkeeper having much to do.

In the second half the Swifts pushed on forcing a number of corners whilst Ballyvea were dangerous on the break with Swifts keeper Johnny McGreevy having to make a few timely saves.

The Swifts got the first break in the 70th minute when Graeme McMullan was upended in the penalty area however the usually reliable Alan Massey’s spot kick by was well saved by the Ballyvea keeper.

This seemed to spur the visitors on and in the next attack Ballyvea scored when a shot beat McGreevy and went in off the post.

Minutes later the Swifts were on the attack following the introduction of substitutes Ross Bingham and David Griffiths. They were awarded a corner and from the resultant kick Ross Bingham powered a header into the net off the underside of the crossbar for what was a deserved equaliser.
This was a competitive game played with spirit and sportsmanship throughout which was a credit to both teams.

The referee deserves considerable credit for his handling of the game and his consistent decision making.

This week the Swifts travel to Strangford for a cup game.

Match Report: Strangford 4 – 4 Ballynahinch United 2nds (20/12/14)

The Swifts travelled to Strangford on Saturday the 20th December with no doubt that they would be in for a tough game. The early exchanges were cagey, with no real chances materialising for either team. As the game progressed Strangford were gaining the upper hand and with some slack defending to aid them, they took the lead with a good finish from their striker.

Ballynahinch pushed for an equaliser and when Bingham released Dalton Tate he delivered a great ball in for Aaron McCaffery to power the ball home from close range. Strangford again pushed forward and The Swifts were again guilty of some slack defending and as a result found themselves 3-1 down at the break and their heads were down.

A stern team talk from manager Davy Taggerty seemed to galvanise The Swifts and they came out with a different attitude and were attacking with menace.

Strangford had now adopted a more physical approach with some challenges that would have belonged more on a rugby pitch, but The Swifts would not be intimidated. After a strong spell of good attacking football, a long throw from Paul King fell to Massey and he stroked the ball home from inside the penalty area making it 3-2.

With the wind in their sails The Swifts were pushing for the equaliser and from a corner Dalton Tate delivered a dangerous ball in, which the Strangford defence could not deal with and the ball was met by their defender and ended up in the top corner making the score level at 3-3.

With both teams tiring the game was stretched and when Strangford broke on the right a cross was turned in from close range and Strangford were celebrating again with the score of 4-3 in Strangford’s favour.

With not long left on the clock The Swifts pushed tirelessly through with Matty Manley and Ben Wilson, and with Alan McMullan creating openings just like his younger brother Graeme did before he had to go off injured at half time.

Backed up by Shaun Bonner, Scott McNeil and Craig McMullan in defence The Swifts were looking dangerous. Dalton Tate was proving the thorn in Strangford’s side and when he broke free in the box he was chopped down for a penalty, which Alan Massey dispatched, and the score was 4-4 with a few minutes left.

Strangford pushed and pushed for the winner and with a great save from keeper McGreevy and a last ditch block from Ian Blackwood in the final moments the score finished level.

The Swifts will be pleased to have kept their unbeaten run going in a particularly difficult game and they showed they have character throughout the team, which they will need for the difficult games that will present themselves in the new year, starting with a top of the table clash at home to Ballyvea this Saturday the 3rd January.

Match Report: Ardglass 3rds 1 v 3 Ballynahinch United 2nds

A much changed Swifts travelled to Ardglass on Saturday after a few weeks off due to the adverse weather, that coupled with no less than 7 players missing due to injury and work commitments made it a difficult tie against a team that would provide a stern test.

The Swifts started brightly and were putting the Ardglass defence under considerable pressure, if it had not been for the experience of the Ardglass centre half partnership an early goal would of been a strong possibility.

The Swifts were patient in their build up play and waited for the right opportunity, aided by the defence who were firmly in control they were getting closer to breaking the deadlock with every attack. On the half hour mark a quickly taken free kick by Alan Massey caught the Ardglass midfield flat footed, Paul King received the ball and let a rasping shot go from 25 yards – such was the power in the shot the Ardglass keeper was lucky to save but could not hold onto it and the lively Jack Patterson made no mistake from 10 yards when the ball broke loose.

That goal gave The Swifts more confidence and with Bonner, King, McMenamin and McNeill in commanding form, McGreevy in nets had little to do.

A quick corner from Massey near the break saw him play a one-two and chip a ball onto the far post. A couple of last ditch tackles kept the score at 1 nil. But The Swifts would not be denied. Matty Manley’s smart free kick from the edge of the box caused considerable confusion and again Jack Patterson was in tip top form to smash the ball in.

A mere lapse in consentration just before the halftime whistle saw Ardglass gain a goal direct from a corner when The Swifts ought to have done better.

The Swifts had a clear vision of what was needed in the 2nd half and carried it out well. Bingham never missed a thing all day long and with the impressive Jack Patterson and Manley on the wings The Swifts were a constant threat. Indeed it was Manley on 70 mins who took a short corner to Massey who played the ball back to him, with a neat cross-field pass it was met by McMenamin on the volley for the goal of the game.

This was a good strong team performance from The Swifts who remain unbeaten this season, but with stronger tests on the horizon it will be all hands to the pump especially at home to Annalong this saturday.