Category: Results

Match Report: Newcastle 2 v 0 Ballynahinch United

United travelled to league leaders Newcastle for this league game and came out on the wrong end of a 2 – 0 score line.

Early exchanges between the two sides were even and the United supporters thought that their team should have had a couple of penalties when Paul Dickson was manhandled and bundled over and later on Ian McMullan was tripped as he ran into the penalty area.

The home team took the lead after 25 minutes from a corner when a shot from Brannigan was deflected into his own net by Dalton Tate. Early in the second half United were awarded a penalty when Stuart McMullan was fouled however the usually reliable David Kelly saw his shot well saved by the Newcastle keeper. This was a blow for the visitors as the momentum was moving in their favour and minutes later the home side were 2 – 0 up again from a corner.

The United players allowed their attention to be deflected by a disagreement with the referee over what they thought was an offside decision that he hadn’t given in the build-up. Newcastle took the corner and Gribben was left unmarked to head home.

Manager Keith Hamilton threw on all three of his substitutes Greg Allison, Jack Patterson and Ethan Majury to get back into the game but it was too late as Newcastle defended sternly to remain at the top of the Division 1B league table.

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 3 v 1 Bloomfield (11/10/14)

United entertained East Belfast team Bloomfield at the Millbridge last Saturday in a league fixture hoping to build on the previous week’s excellent victory over Downshire YM. The visitors have had some good results of recent and were expected to provide stiff opposition and so it turned out to be. Despite having a good share of the play United were unable to convert the chances they created and midway through the first half they went 1 down and despite a spirited response they could not get level.

The half time team talk certainly had a very positive effect because United came out all guns a blazing and were level very quickly with a goal from Paul Dickson who was making his first appearance in the team for a month following suspension and holidays. Dickson converted after excellent work by Dalton Tate. Not long after their equaliser United went 2 – 1 ahead when Ian McMullan converted following some tenacious work from Tate.

The visitors pressed hard to get level but they found Brian McMullan and his defensive colleagues in a very determined mood. All over the pitch the players put in an outstanding shift and as Bloomfield risked more and more players forward they left themselves vulnerable and so it turned out to be when Gavin Crawford scored to put the game out of reach.
Manager Keith Hamilton will be very pleased with this result and the recent good run of results which his hard working team have achieved.

Match Report: Downshire YM 0 v 1 Ballynahinch United (04/10/14)

United travelled to Hillsborough for this league game against old rivals Downshire YM. In recent seasons games both home and away between the teams have generally been drawn so a tight match was expected and so it would be.

The home side started in lively form but United were well organised with the experienced Scott Brashaw and Adam Herron back after missing last week’s game due to the wedding of central defender Ross Hayes who was still absent along with Paul Dickson. A surprise but welcome inclusion in the team was Gregg Allison who has not played in the team due to injury.
The United back three of Brashaw, Boal and Stuart McMullan along with goalkeeper Brian McMullan were in dominant form sweeping the ball across their line with ease while midfielders Crawford, Tate, Herron and Kelly worked tenaciously supplying the willing runners of Allison, Ian McMullan and McCaffrey with good possession.

In the first half Allison was the focus point for most of United’s attacking and it was he who was fouled for the penalty which eventually won the game. A superb through ball from Crawford saw Allison run in on goal only to be bundled over by a Downshire central defender. Referee Munn awarded the penalty and David Kelly dispatched it into the net sending the keeper the wrong way.

In the second half United were once again the dominant force however Downshire were dangerous on the break and Brashaw, Stuart McMullan always had to be on their guard. United almost doubled their lead early in the second half when Allison just failed to connect with a low cross from Kelly.

Ethan Majury added energy to United’s midfield and despite a couple of late corners in the closing minutes which were really well defended United held out to deservedly retain all three points.

Late in the game the Downshire goal keeper pulled off a point blank save from Ian McMullan injuring himself in the process.

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 1 v 1 Dunmurry YM (27/09/14)

United entertained Dunmurry YM at the Millbridge last Saturday (27th September). Despite the absence of a number of first team regulars due to the wedding of centre back Ross Hayes the home team were still able to field a strong line-up and from the start they controlled the game. The defensive combination of the experienced Davy Boal with Paul King was solid throughout while full backs Ethan Majury and Craig McMullan were constantly supplementing the midfield at every opportunity.

The visitors were content to attack on the break and due to their poor start to the season were obviously happy to fight for a point.

United took the lead after 20 minutes when Gavin Crawford converted a move that started with good work on the right wing by David Kelly and Ethan Majury.

In the 30th minute a brilliant through ball from Dalton Tate left the Dunmurry defence flat footed and Ian McMullan was sent free on goal however his side footed effort went agonisingly past the post.

Stuart McMullan and Aaron McCaffrey combined on a number of occasions in the first half but could not create any openings as Dunmurry defended resolutely. In the closing stages of the first half Dunmurry won a number of free kicks and it was from one of these that they equalised. Their high free kick was headed around the edge of the penalty area before falling to their centre forward who was standing in front of goalkeeper Brian McMullan at least three yards off side. He headed the ball into the net and everyone in the ground was waiting for a free kick but instead the referee gave the goal.

In the second half United launched wave after wave of attacks with Ian McMullan having a header brilliantly saved, Aaron McCaffrey seeing his deflected shot go wide of the goalkeepers legs as he dived in the opposite direction and finally in the closing minutes Dalton Tate’s free kick cannoning off the cross bar.

While United were disappointed with the result their overall performance and drive on what was a very warm day could not have been better.

Club Notes

The 1sts travelled to East Belfast and were very unlucky to come out losers in a seven goal thriller. Twice they led through goals from Ian McMullan but unfortunately a late brace of goals saw them denied a share of the spoils. A late penalty by David Kelly could not be bettered.

Players and club members are reminded that club memberships are now due and should be paid as soon as possible.