Category: Results

Match Report: Ballynahinch United Swifts 2 – 1 Ballynagross Seconds

Ballynahinch United Swifts entertained Ballynagross Seconds at the Millbridge on Saturday last. Manager Alan Davis had to shuffled his squad due to a number of first team call ups and absentees however it gave him the opportunity to see some new faces and some players getting starting places for the first time.

From the start the Swifts settled quickly and played at a high tempo however it was the visitors who took the lead from the first corner of the game. Despite this set back the young Swifts team followed their game plan and were soon on attack and were level within five minutes when Gregg Allison beat the Ballynagross right back for pace to deliver and quality cross which Dave Griffiths slotted home.

Alan Massey and Aaron McCaffrey controlled central midfield opening up the game to both sides of the pitch. Graeme McMullan and Alex Burtney were providing the danger on the left wing with their superb linking overlapping and throwing in dangerous crosses.

Influential in creating the second goal was Craig Tate who pounced terrier like on a startled centre half and his poor clearance fell to Griffiths who struck a superb shot 25yrds out past a started goalkeeper.

In the closing stages of the first half Swifts keeper John McMenamin was called on to make several saves to prevent the half ending all square.

In the second half some adjustments to positions on the park for players ensured to all intent and purposes it was one way traffic as the Swifts tried to create a third goal to put the game out of the oppositions reach. New signing Niall Tyndall, Ben Onhua and Dylan Fitzpatrick coped with the Ballynagross breaks. McMullan who’d hit the bar earlier had another shot saved while Allison through some creative work went close twice but was thwarted by the Ballynagross keeper.

Massey and McCaffrey tried their luck from distance but that third goal proved elusive. New signing Lorenzo Fucas made a substitute appearance along with Blaine and Jay to keep the tempo going.

Ballynagross proved to be an extremely competitive team contributing to an exciting game that despite the Swifts superior possession defended resolutely whist being dangerous on the counter attack. In the end the home side managed the game well particularly in a final frantic five minutes to get take all three points and achieve their third victory of the season.

This weekend the Swifts travel to Kirkistown in the league.

Match Report: Ballynahinch United Swifts 4 v 0 Carryduff Athletic

The Swifts entertained Carryduff Athletic at Millbridge in a league game on Saturday and they were quickly into their stride on 5 minutes when Alan Massey struck a left foot shot which the Carryduff keeper failed to hold and it trickled over the goal line.

The 1-0 lead quickly became 2-0 after Aaron McCaffrey had chased a lost cause into the box and was brought down to gain a penalty. Up stepped Dylan Fitzpatrick to score his first senior goal with a well-placed shot.

The game settled down with Carryduff gaining more possession without causing the home defence much trouble while the Swifts continued with their pressing game and hunting down the ball. Defensively Alex Burtney and Ben Onhua were linking with midfielders, while Ross Hayes fresh from a family holiday made an instant partnership with Dylan Fitzpatrick to thwart a Carryduff team which had been in free scoring mode in their previous games.

Alan Massey and Gregg Allison set about testing the full backs and from such a run Allison had a fine shot saved while Massey tried his luck again with a long range shot which shaved the cross bar.

Johnny Stevenson who was making his first start of the season was leading the line well with Aaron McCaffrey who both did all they were asked to do by forcing errors and creating chances.

The 3rd goal came when a deep hanging cross from Greg Allison found Jack Davis to head home from 8 yards. Davis’s partner in midfield Corey Fitzpatrick was playing a pivoting role in breaking up play which enabled the Swifts to take a commanding 3-0 lead into the half time break.

Carryduff marshalled by former United defender Davy Boal took the game to the Swifts for the first 10mins of the 2nd half and despite all their pressure John McMenamin remained dominant in goal holding crosses as well as making some great saves.

Manager Alan Davis made his 1st change by bringing on the terrier like Craig Tate and within 2mins he found himself on the scoresheet as he sniffed out a rebound from a corner. Other shots from Davis tested the Carryduff keeper while a solo run from Allison almost created a fifth.

The 4-0 score line reflected a great afternoon’s work by all of the fourteen man Swifts squad.

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 0 v 1 Rosario YC

A goal midway through the second half of this game was enough to give the visitors the points however the home team played very well throughout and had they taken one of the few chances they made in the first half they may well have taken a point.

Throughout the first half both teams had a few chances but it was the defences who were in command. United who had conceded quite a few goals in recent matches certainly tightened up with debutant teenager Jack Davis at right back along with Paul Dickson, Ethan Majury and Stuart McMullan. Brian McMullan was in commanding form in goals and his distribution created quite a few opportunities the best of which fell to Scott Brashaw who couldn’t get enough power into his shot. Ethan Majury went close with a free kick in the closing minutes of the first half.

In the second half Rosario who are a useful team with their eyes on promotion came more into the game and they created the one goal scoring opportunity with a slick move which saw their forward glide onto a super pass to thread the ball past Brian McMullan into the net. In midfield Dalton Tate was prominent along with Stuart Hunter, Dylan Carberry, Scott Brashaw while Aaron Cheevers and Ian McMullan worked tirelessly up front. Substitutes David Kelly, Greg Allison and Alex Miller came on in the closing quarter and gave the Rosario defence some anxious moments but failed to make the crucial breakthrough.

Pre-Season Friendly Match Report: Ballynahinch United 5 – 2 Bloomfield

Ballynahinch United played Bloomfield on Saturday in an entertaining fixture. In the starting line up we had 16 year olds Alex Burtney and Jack Davis and manager Keith Hamilton can only be delighted with their contribution.

We got off to a terrible start when we conceded with a ball over the top in the opening minutes that was well finished by the visiting forward.

From that moment on United took control and started to play some free flowing football, driven on by the impressive partnership of Kennedy and Tate, who bossed the game all day long. It was 1-1 when Cheevers got on the end of a flowing move to finish well. United took the lead a few minutes later when the impressive Cheevers doubled his tally from a Kelly cross.

The second half started with the introduction of 17 year old Scott Cheevers who had a very impressive debut linking beautifully with brother Aaron to keep the visiting defence on edge. It wasn’t long until Aaron completed his hat-trick with a neat finish.

It was 4-1 to United midway through the second half when a lovely move fell into the stride of Jordan Kennedy, who took 2 touches and rifled the ball past the keeper from the edge of the box.

The 5th goal came from another 16 year old when Craig Tate took the ball down and beat the keeper impressively.

One of the highlights of the day was when Adam Herron made his comeback from injury after over a year out and he looked like he was never away.

With 8 first team regulars missing Keith Hamilton will have plenty of choices to make before the season starts.

Pre-Season Friendly Match Report: Ballynahinch United 3 – 0 Moneyslane

Ballynahinch United got their preseason underway with a friendly against Mid-Ulster side Moneyslane at Millbridge last Saturday. Manager Keith Hamilton was missing a number of first team squad members, however it gave him the chance to give some of the youth team an opportunity to show what they can do and when the chance came they most certainly did.

The home side were on top for most of the first half with David Kelly running the midfield aided and abetted by Alex Miller, Gavin Crawford, Jordan Kennedy and Stuart Hunter.

Moneyslane came more into the game in the latter stages of the first half and early part of the second and defensively Greg Allison, Ross Hayes, Ethan Majury and Scot Brashaw were in commanding form while goalkeeper Brian McMullan came to the rescue on several occasions. Aaron Cheevers played up front on his own and his hold up play and distribution was excellent throughout.

United took the lead in the 30th minute when a bit of quick thinking by Cheevers led to a free kick being taken quickly for Kelly to lash it home past the visiting keeper.

During the second half four youth team players – Craig Tate, Alex Burtney, Ben Ohnuo and Jack Davis were introduced into the team and as they have been training with the seniors since late June they didn’t look one bit out of place. It was during the latter stages of the game that United increased their lead with two goals from Cheevers and Kennedy. In the 75th minute Aaron Cheevers latched onto a through ball and fired an unstoppable shot into the net while in the 85th minute Jordan Kennedy stepped up to score from the penalty spot.

This was a great start to the season however a lot of hard work has still to be done in preparation for the seasons start on 13th August at home to Wellington Rec. in the Steel & Sons Cup.

Training sessions continue each Tuesday and Thursday evening at the Millbridge and new players will be made very welcome.

Next Saturday afternoon [23rd July] United will entertain Bloomfield at the Millbridge.