Category: Results

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 2nds 4 v 2 Annalong Rangers

This week The Swifts entertained Annalong Rangers at Langley Road. With a few players coming back after missing a couple of weeks through injury and work commitments they were looking forward to the game.

The early exchanges were frantic and untidy with both teams trying to get to grips with each other and the heavy surface.

It was The Swifts who struck first after great work from Jack Patterson on the right wing resulting in a throw in. Paul King came up from defence and delivered his trademark long throw, which was met at the back post by an accurate Gareth Bingham header that flew into the top corner.

The game was hotly contested in the middle of the park with McPhail making some timely challenges. Annalong forced a corner midway through the half and The Swifts failed to deal with it and it creeped in at the near post when it really shouldn’t have.

The Swifts were determined to get back in front and that they did with good work between Graeme McMullan and Dave Griffiths saw McMullan fire a shot in from the edge of the area to give the keeper no chance.

The Swifts now in control, had John McMenamin and Shaun Bonner letting nothing past them at the back with Scott McNeil making some decent runs forward down the left flank. This coupled with McGreevy in commanding form in-between the sticks gave The Swifts a solid base on which to attack.

And attack they did with Griffiths and Massey exchanging passes with Massey then releasing Gareth Bingham who beat his man and too fire in a low shot past the keeper to make it 3-1 at the break.

The second half was scrappy and the challenges were flying in from both teams. Ben Wilson, Matty Manley and Craig McMullan were introduced as subs and Wilson in particular gave the Annalong defence real problems.

After a couple of penalty appeals being turned down after fouls on Manley – Ben Wilson beat his man in the box and when about to shoot was brought down. The referee this time gave the penalty and Massey made no mistake from 12 yards to make it 4-2 after Annalong managed to pull a goal back to make it 3-2.

The Swifts were able to see out the remainder of the game quite comfortably to win 4-2. As seen today, competition is heating up for places and it’s important that the numbers increase at training to help the team continue their 8 game unbeaten start to the season.

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.

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 2 v 2 Rathfern Rangers

Goalkeeper Bryan McMullan has often provided that vital last line of defence for United over the last number of seasons pulling of countless last gasp or point blank saves but last Saturday, and not for the first time either, he scored the equaliser to secure his team a valuable point.

The game started very badly for United as they conceded a goal in the first few minutes from a long throw which was flicked into the path of a Rathfern forward who volleyed the ball first time past Bryan McMullan. For the remainder of the half it was United on the attack with Paul Dickson and Aaron McCaffrey going close with a header and shot respectively as Adam Herron, Dalton Tate and Stuart McMullan combined consistently down the left wing to provide a series of half chances and force corner after corner.

Rathfern, for their part, were dangerous on the break and on more than one occasion Ross Hayes or Davy Boal had to be at their very best to stop the swift breaks while Bryan McMullan pulled off a few important saves.

Ethan Majury was moved into a more forward position for this game and was a willing runner in the absence of the injured Ian McMullan and his chasing down of defenders along with Gavin Crawford and McCaffrey caused the visitors some very uncomfortable moments.

The equaliser came five minutes from half time when Davy Boal fired in a shot from the right hand side of the penalty area which nestled in the side of the net having taken a deflection.

In the second half United started brightly but appeared to lose momentum and for long periods of the second half found themselves defending breakaways which required some solid defending from Hayes, Herron and an outstanding last ditch tackle from Dickson to save a certain goal. That combined with a close penalty shout made it almost inevitable that they would concede. That was the case in the 70th minute when a Rathfern forward broke through and scored although there was a hint of offside about it.

United were now up against it but they rallied with Scott Brashaw providing the leadership from midfield but Rathfern were not about to surrender their lead as they defended stoutly. The best chance fell to Tate who shot wide from close to the penalty spot. Greg Allison, a half time substitute, David Kelly and Gareth McMullan provided a more attacking focus with a string of free kicks being secured but none could be utilised to great effect.

The game was entering its final minute when United won a corner and up came goalkeeper Bryan McMullan to get on the end of cousin Stuart’s cross and head a superb equaliser.

This was not one of United’s better performances however they proved yet again that they have grit and determination. Next week they entertain local rivals Dromara Village in a Clarence Cup tie which has a 1.30pm kick off.

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 1 v 1 Sirocco Works

United entertained Sirocco Works in this league game at the Millbridge on Saturday last. Despite the heavy rain on Friday afternoon and evening grounds man Jimmy Brown had the pitch in immaculate condition although it was unsurprisingly a little soft in places.

The visitors who have been perennial league challengers in recent years have struggled in the early months of this campaign however a recent change of manager has brought on board a number of fresh faces and encouraging results.

The first half was fairly evenly contested but neither team created any decent scoring opportunities despite the end to end nature of the game. The referee was fairly busy though as there were constant breaks in the play for minor fouls which were due more to the slippery conditions as opposed to any maliciousness.

United really got a foot hold in the game in the second half and dominated play although Sirocco were at their most dangerous in this period as they broke from defence with pace and but for several outstanding saves from Brian McMullan they could have found themselves behind.

After an hour United lost the services of Ian McMullan with a hamstring strain and manager Keith Hamilton introduced teenager Greg Allison whose pace caused the visitors considerable problems. The incisive running of Dalton Tate and Scott Brashaw from midfield and defence started to create opening and Aaron McCaffrey was finding space around the penalty area and went close on a few occasions. Paul Dickson who has been unavailable in recent weeks came into the midfield area in place of Ethan Majury and he caused Sirocco problems from corners and free kicks. Indeed he almost made contact with a superbly flighted free kick from Stuart McMullan which sailed narrowly wide of veteran Irish League goal keepers Andy McDonald’s post.

United took the lead in the 75th minute when Tate’s corner wasn’t cleared by the Sirocco defence and McCaffrey claimed his second goal in as many matches with a well drilled shot into the net.

United maintained their grip on the game as Sirocco tried desperately to get into the game. Defensively United’s rear guard of Boal, Hayes, Brashaw and Herron dealt with everything that came their way and with Brian McMullan in assured form behind them it looked like United would secure all three points. The introduction of Gareth McMullan into the forward line for the hard working McCaffrey in the closing minutes added to United’s forward threat particularly as he combined well with Allison to hold the ball up.

As the game entered injury time Sirocco enjoyed a period of possession forcing a number of corners with keeper McDonald adding to their attacking force more by way of a diversion. In one attack which should have been halted for an offside decision an attacker got a couple of shots in but both were comfortably blocked by Adam Herron and when the player, who was holding onto the defender, went to shoot a third time he missed the ball and fell over and referee Moutray awarded a penalty to the astonishment of the home team and supporters. Despite his best efforts Brian McMullan was unable to save the resulting spot kick.

In the remaining minutes of extra time United almost scored the winner from a goal mouth scramble after a corner when Dickson managed to get his toe to a loose ball but a last ditch lunge from a defender managed to get it cleared off the line and United’s last hopes of full points had gone.

This was another good performance from the home team who will feel robbed of a victory by what was a poor decision from an experienced referee who otherwise had a good game. United however need to put that disappointment behind them as they prepare for another home game this Saturday against Rathfern Rangers.

Match Report: Bloomfield 0 v 2 Ballynahinch United

United travelled to East Belfast for this league encounter against Bloomfield at Orangefield velodrome which is the only cycling facility of its type in Northern Ireland.

From early on in the game United took control and spent most of the first half camped in the Bloomfield half however they failed to bring the home goal keeper into any serious action. The same could not be said for United’s Brian McMullan who whilst spending most of the afternoon spectating pulled off one of his best saves this season which played a major role in his team’s success. In the 43rd minute Bloomfield broke clear on the right wing and their centre forward raced onto the edge of the six yard box to receive a great pass from his team mate. Just as he was about to shoot into the net defender Ethan Majury managed to block the shot but it was still heading into the goal until Brian McMullan dived to palm it around the post for a corner.

In the second half United came out full of purpose and  were ahead in the 50th minute when Stuart McMullan was released on the right wing following interplay between Dalton Tate and Gavin Crawford. He cut into the penalty area and toe poked the ball into the net past the advancing keeper. Having controlled the game up to this stage United seemed to lose their composure and it took some solid defending from the back line of Majury, Hayes, Boal, Brashaw and Herron to stem a steady stream of Bloomfield attacks. In the 65th minute Bloomfield were reduced to ten players when their No. 5 was dismissed for a second yellow card which could easily have been a straight red following a rather nasty tackle.

At this stage United were enjoying much more possession and in the 70th minute they were 2 – 0 up when Aaron ‘Beattie’ McCaffrey got on the end of a cross to score into the roof of the net off the keeper. ‘Beattie’ who has been an ever present in the team following some excellent seasons with the Swifts has been a hard working partner to Ian McMullan however the goals just didn’t seem to go in for him so was this was a well-deserved success.

For the closing quarter manager Keith Hamilton replaced his forward line with Gareth McMullan and Greg Allison and they provided a constant threat with Gareth McMullan’s first touch, a lob shot from ten yards, drifting over the crossbar while Greg Allison had a few long range shots which went narrowly wide.

This was another good team performance with every player contributing to a well-earned three points which take United into 3rd place however this Saturday they will have to be at their best to take on an improving Sirocco Works side that after a poor start to the season have been picking up points in recent weeks. The game kicks off at 2pm at Millbridge.