Category: Results

Match Report: Portaferry 1 v 3 Ballynahinch United (21/03/15)

This was United’s last match of the season and many would have said that their chances of getting anything out of this game would be pretty slim with Portaferry pushing for promotion with plenty of games to play, and having won 2 – 0 vs United the previous week.

The task was made all the more difficult given the absence of a number of experienced players and the management team having to draft a few untried second teamers and themselves.

Havng travelled across on the ferry, like a proper away day, things started well for the visitors. An early battling performance was strenghtened when Ian McMullan intercepted near the half way line and shrugged off a Portaferry midfielder before fizzing a fierce effort from far out beyond the flailing ‘ferry keeper and finding the corner after 20 minutes to put United 1 up.

The home team laid siege to the United goal but the defence of Boal, Majury, Brashaw and Wilson gave the outstanding Bryan McMullan great cover. The home team’s pressure paid off when they equalised before half time.

After the break, United’s midfield of Stuart McMullan, Dalton Tate, Aaron Cheevers and Gregg Allison continued to worked tirelessly, with Ian McMullan and teenager Scott Cheevers up front running endlessly and causing the Portaferry defence all sorts of problems.

Midway through the second half Ian McMullan banged in his second. A through ball from Aaron Cheevers found the forward through on goal, his left footed finish slotted past the keeper to give United the lead again.

Gregg Allison with pace to burn left his full back for dead and floated a cross from the right. Once again McMullan was on the end of it and rose like Shearer to head home the perfect hat-trick, United’s third and ensure the 3 points for United.

The goal also snatched the Top Goalscorer award away from the absent David Kelly.

Portaferry laid siege to the visitor’s goal once again, but left numbers short at the back allowing United to break.

The Gaffer, Murph, brought himself and coach Keith Hamilton on near the end of the game, to push the average age experience up significantly.

Murph found space on the right and with a swish of his wand of a left foot, he whipped a wonderful ball into the box, Ian lost his marker but the ‘keeper finally was able to stop McMullan from adding another.

An excellent performance all round with McMullan taking home the match ball… figuratively.

The small band of loyal United supporters ended their season’s travels with a great win, and the club finished in a respectable 6th place in NAFL Division 1B.

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 0 v 2 Portaferry

United entered this, their penultimate home game on the back of a good home win but missing a number of regular first teamers however the way they played from start to finish was a credit to them and their management team.

Right from the kick off it was the home team with the wind in their backs who were on the offensive with a long range shot from Gareth McMullan having the Portaferry goalkeeper Stephen Keith scrambling across his goal mouth as the ball passed his left hand post.

On twenty minutes Aaron Cheevers had a great opportunity when he ran onto a Greg Allison cross however he didn’t get enough power into his shot and goalkeeper Keith pulled of an outstanding save to touch the ball around the post for a corner.

United were dominating midfield with Scot Brashaw pulling the strings supported by the hard working Cheevers, Allison and Patterson.

Johnny Stevenson led the forward line exhibiting great strength in holding up the ball however a pulled hamstring on the half hour mark led to him being replaced by Aaron McCaffrey.

In defence Ethan Majury, David Boal and Dalton Tate were defending what little attacking threat that Portaferry posed over the first half hour with relative ease however in the last fifteen minutes of the 1st half they came into it more. Brian McMullan in the United goal  had to make a few timely  interceptions to pick up through passes as the opposition’s pacey forwards started to find space.

In the 35th minute Portaferry took the lead when Brian McMullan’s superb save to beat out a stinging shot fell kindly to Aaron McCarthy who was able to side foot the ball home.

In the second half United found themselves both 1 – 0 down and facing a strong wind in atrocious conditions and yet it was the home side who dominated possession. Unfortunately they failed to find the necessary openings and on the hour mark Michael Doran doubled the visitors lead when he ran onto a through ball to strike a shot past McMullan into the net.

While Portaferry would have the occasional breakaways United passed the ball around with ease with teenagers Tate and Allison providing on both flanks however their best chance was a shot from Ian McMullan that sailed just over the crossbar.

This weekend  United travel to Newtownards to take on one of the league favourites 1st Bangor.

Club News

The Swifts travelled to Strangford for their Supplementary Cup tie on Saturday past and having gone 3 – 0 down in the 1st half they staged a fight back in the 2nd half with goals from Graeme McMullan and Ross Bingham but just fell short. This week they entertain Ballynagross at the Millbridge in the league.

Thanks to ClubSportNI – Ballynahinch United now have their own online merchandise shop. You can get anything from Full Tracksuits to Beanie Hats!!!

Please take a look and treat yourselves (or someone else).

Any suggestions of gear people want added then please let us know.

Supporters, friends and family get involved and support our club!!!

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 2 v 0 Ballywalter Recreation

United entertained Ballywalter Recreation in this league encounter at Millbridge last Saturday.

The visitors are struggling at the wrong end of the league table and were keen to take all three points from their hosts and their intentions were obvious from the kick off as they dominated possession. A stout defensive display from Adam Herron, Scott Brashaw, Davy Boal and Ethan Majury held them at bay with Bryan McMullan’s safe handling copper fastening their overall play. As the game progressed United became more of an attacking force with Aaron Cheevers causing problems with his surging runs aided and abetted by his forward partner Gareth McMullan who was holding the ball up well.

In midfield Dalton Tate, Stuart McMullan, David Kelly and Greg Allison defended and attacked in equal measure.

United took the led from the penalty spot after 35 minutes following foul on Gareth McMullan. A brilliant through ball out of central midfield sent Cheever free and as he surged into the penalty area he cut the ball back to Gareth McMullan who was pushed over as he went to shoot. Cheevers stepped up and slotted the spot kick confidently into the net.

Just before half time United lost experienced defender Adam Herron with a nasty injury which following attendance by the Ambulance Service and a visit to the hospital has been diagnosed as a fracture.

In the second half both teams attacked without creating any clear opportunities however in the closing quarter things changed significantly with both goalkeepers making excellent saves. Aaron McCaffrey went close on a number of occasions as United make every effort to secure the three points.

Manager Keith Hamilton introduced Ian McMullan to the game for the last quarter and his fresh legs created lots of problems for the visitors defence and in the 80th minute when he was released free on goal the Ballywalter keeper brought him down well outside the area and he received a red card. Minutes later Ian McMullan scored United’s second when his goal bound shot was deflected past the stand in keeper to make it 2 – 0. Craig McMullan made his comeback after being unavailable for a number of weeks and he combined with brother Stuart to make numerous forays down the left wing in the closing stages.

This was not one of United’s best displays however each and every player played their part in securing the win. The unfortunate injury to Adam Herron marred the success of the day and  everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery. Adam is a very popular player senior player who has turned in numerous top class committed performances over the years and his team mates and the club’s supporters are looking forward to seeing him back in action very soon.

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.