On Saturday the club hosted local rivals Olympic in the first league match of the season. There was an excellent crowd at the game and the committee members present did an outstanding job with car parking, providing food and the other tasks that are vital to the efficient running of the club facilities on a big match day.
The seconds entertained Killyleagh YC 2nds on Friday night past and while they lost 3-0 to an experienced side it was nevertheless an encouraging performance. Next up for the 2nds is a friendly against Drumaness Mills 2nds tonight (Thursday 13th Aug) with a kick-off at 7pm.
Club members and players are reminded that membership fees should be paid to Gareth Bingham as soon as possible.
Goals in each half from Stephen Megoran and Niall Walsh secured three points and the bragging rights in the early part of the season from this exciting derby game at the Millbridge last Saturday.
United in their new kit which was generously sponsored by BEC Electrical. The players and committee of BUFC are very appreciative of the continuing support BEC have given season after season by supplying new strips.
Millbridge was packed by supporters from both sides each keen to encourage their side on to victory and in the early exchanges it was the home team who did most of the attacking with Johnny Stevenson going close in the opening minutes. Greg Allison caused the Olympic defence considerable trouble in the early stages of the game putting in a succession of crosses that lead to several corners one of which led to a Matty Shaw header being cleared off the goal line.
Olympic took the lead after ten minutes when Megoran’s left wing cross from thirty odd yards looped high over United keeper Bryan McMullan to drop under the cross bar into the net. This was a very lucky break for the visitors which gave them an advantage in the game which they worked tirelessly to hold onto. It was a cruel blow to United’s defence of Alex Miller, Davy Boal, Matty Shaw and Stuart McMullan who had restricted Olympics’ forward threat.
On the half hour mark United had a genuine claim for a penalty when Alan Patterson was bundled over from behind in the act of shooting for goal however referee Mark Domican did not share the United supporter’s opinion.
In the second half United pressed for an equaliser with Dalton Tate, Stuart Hunter and JJ Carlisle prominent however Olympic worked tirelessly to reduce the number of scoring opportunities with their keeper in superb form.
Olympic got their second midway through the second half when Niall Walsh rose above the United defence to head home a superb right wing cross past Bryan McMullan. They could well have been three up when they missed a penalty after Boal, who was sent off for a second bookable offence, had brought down an attacker however the spot kick came back off the crossbar.
United introduced Gareth McMullan and Dee Stewart to the fray and they combined very well when Stewarts shot was headed goal wards by McMullan only for the Olympic keeper to miraculously palm it over the bar.
This was an encouraging start from Olympic who have high hopes for the season ahead while the United supporters will have been encouraged by a battling performance from a team that was missing six players through injury.
United now have a succession of away games against Rathfern Rangers [last night], Ballywalter [Saturday] and next week against opponents who have to be confirmed before they meet Valley Rangers in the Irish Cup on Saturday 22nd August.
Ballynahinch United completed their programme of preseason friendly matches when they entertained a Crusaders Select team at the Millbridge. United took the lead midway through the half when Stuart Hunter pounced on a loose ball to drill home. The home side had numerous opportunities with Matty Shaw, Gareth McMullan and Ethan Majury going close with headers.
In the second half both managers made wholesale changes and the visitors equalised. The game was well attended and the club had a barbecue going throughout the afternoon as a fund raiser. Many thanks to all those who assisted in anyway on the day.
One of the most pleasing aspects of the preseason friendly games has been the introduction of a number of the under 17 squad and what a breath of fresh air they have proved to be. The hard work that Ballynahinch Youth has put in over the years looks like there will be a steady stream of young players challenging for places in the adult teams.
Everyone at Ballynahinch Youth is to be congratulated on the excellent work that they are undertaking.
This Saturday, United commence their 2015/16 league programme with a local derby against Ballynahinch Olympic at home. The kick off is at 2pm and as a large crowd is expected supporters of both teams are encouraged to come early to avoid congestion on the road. There is adequate car parking at Millbridge. Admission will be £3 for adults and children under 16 are free.
The committee of BUFC would like to express their thanks to BEC Electrical for proving a new team strip once again. Also our thanks to CEF – City Electrical Factors for providing match sponsorship for last Saturdays match.
Anyone wishing to sponsor a match during the season should contact a committee member. We are very grateful to those individuals and businesses who have provided support so far this season it is really appreciated.
The Swifts continued their excellent form and made it 4 games unbeaten with victory over a very good Strangford side at Millbridge last Saturday.
It was the visitors who were on the attack from the start and their early efforts were rewarded by a goal on 15 minutes when a shot was deflected into the net giving keeper Johnny McGreevy no chance. The early dominance of the visitors dissipated after the goal and their goal was besieged by the Swifts and five minutes later Gareth Bingham controlled a cross from Ben Wilson, swivelled and fired the ball across the keeper into the corner of the net.
Ten minutes later the home side were ahead when Graeme McMullan was bundled over in the penalty area and Alan Massey converted the spot kick.
After 35 minutes the Swifts led 3 – 1 when Bingham scored his second from a Graeme McMullan pass after the teenager had two shots blocked. The visitors pressed hard to get back into the game and got a goal back shortly before half time.
In the second half the game turned on its head as a fluent Strangford side, who are one of the best teams in the division, placed the Swifts defence under constant pressure. Scott McNeill, Paul King, John McMenamin and Shaun Bonner had to work overtime as wave after wave of attack came their way. Veteran Ian Blackwood entered the fray for the injured McNeill and they held out until the 70th minute when Strangford equalised.
Substitute David Griffith entered the fray and very shortly afterward he made an instant impact. Following good work from Matthew Manly and a through ball from Craig McMullan David Griffiths ran onto the edge of the six yard area where he was upended by the Strangford keeper. Referee George, who had a fine game, pointed to the spot and Alan Massey sent the keeper the wrong way to make the score 4 – 3.
The Swifts held on thanks to some stout defending and a few good saves from McGreevy to secure the three points. Strangford will wonder how they lost this game as the youthful side played some excellent football however their defending was suspect and contributed to their downfall.
This Saturday the Swifts entertain Rossglass County at the Millbridge in what will be a difficult assignment.
The Swifts who were fresh from a rip roaring 4 – 4 draw the previous week produced something similar at Millbridge on Saturday however they had to come back from 1-0 and 3-2 down to a Killough side that battled throughout.
The visitors took the lead after ten minutes but Graeme McMullan got them back onto level terms with a shot across the keeper into the net after good work from Jaimie McPhail who had been on the score sheet the previous week.
Skipper Alan Massey gave the home team a 2-1 lead from the penalty spot when Craig McMullan was brought down however Killough struck two quick goals to take a 3-2 half time lead.
In the second half the Swifts looked much more settled and with defenders Bonner, King, McMenamin and Craig McMullan marking tightly they limited the Killough sides scoring opportunities while keeper Johnny McGreevy’s handling was excellent.
Midfielders Bingham, Massey, McPhail and Manley enjoyed greater possession giving forwards Graeme McMullan and David Griffiths a number of opportunities.
The Swifts got level when a long range cross from Shaun Bonner was mishandled by the Killough keeper into his own net.
In the last half hour manager Davy Teggarty introduced Scott McNeill at right back and moved Craig McMullan upfront along with cousin Graeme and it proved to be the decision that would secure his team maximum points. Minutes later the Swifts were ahead when Craig McMullan was upended by the Killough keeper and Alan Massey fired his second goal and his team’s winner into the net.
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