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.

80s v 90s Night – Sat 15th Nov

Ballynahinch United in association with Ballynahinch Youth present 80s v 90s night (Blast from the past).

This Saturday the 15th November 2014 from 7.00pm till 1.30am in a marquee at the clubhouse at The Millbridge.

With DJ Phil Cool and special guest bands The Spice Girls & Madness!!!!

Delicious home made cooking from Roz will also be available to buy on the night.

Tickets are £10 and can be bought from any club member in advance or paid on the night.

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Match Report: Ballynahinch United 2nds 1 v 1 Castleabbey

Manager Davy Teggarty entered this game missing regulars Jamie McPhail, Scott McNeill and Ross Bingham and goalkeeper Johnny McGreevy however despite this apparent handicap his youthful team put on an outstanding performance against their more experienced opposition.

Right from the start the Swifts were on the attack with brothers Alan and Graeme McMullan combining on numerous occasions to cause the visitors defence considerable problems.

Matthew Manly should have given his side the lead after 20 minutes when he was sent clear by David Griffiths but he shot wide.

The Swifts welcomed back defender Paul King and he combined superbly with Craig McMullan in central defence and fullbacks Ben Wilson and Shaun Bonner to cancel out the occasional threat provided by the Castleabbey forward line.

After a scoreless first half the second began in wet conditions with the Swifts also facing a stiff breeze however they continued to dominate play prompted by veterans Gareth Bingham and Alan Massey and but for the lack of a killer touch they could easily have been several goals up.

The Swifts took the lead on 70 minutes when Paul King curled a brilliant free kick from the right side of midfield onto the goal line which was touched in by David Griffiths.

Castleabbey started to get a bit more possession but resolute defending and some confident handling from goalkeeper John McMenamin who had an excellent game looked as if it would see the home side over the finishing line.

In the closing minutes of the game a high cross into the Swifts penalty area caused confusion and it fell for a forward to head home and gain a share of the spoils for the visitors. While the eventual outcome was disappointing for the Swifts they can take great heart from a performance against Castleabbey who are a team expected to challenge for honours this season. Most importantly the Swifts have managed to maintain an unbeaten start to their league campaign and if they continue playing attractive attacking football they could well be up amongst the challengers themselves.

Match Report: Ballynahinch Olympic 1 v 2 Ballynahinch United

Bells Bridge, Dromara was the setting for the first ever derby match between Ballynahinch rivals Olympic and United. It was somewhat ironic that the setting for the game was Bells Bridge which was once United’s home ground in their early days.

A decent crowd turned up for the game however if they were looking for any fireworks at this Halloween period they would have been sadly mistaken because in general terms both teams were more focussed on playing football.

Olympic as the home side made much of the early running and but for the intervention of Stuart McMullan heading off the goal line from an early attack they could have been ahead.

Apart from this United’s experienced defensive line-up of Boal, Hayes, Brashaw and Herron with Dickson providing a shield gave United’s goalkeeper Brian McMullan solid protection and kept Olympics’ prolific scorer Niall Murray at bay.

United took the lead five minutes from half time when they forced a corner which was taken by Stuart McMullan. Paul Dickson rose above everyone else to head home past Olympic keeper Ryan Walsh.

In the second half both sides had an equal share of possession without really creating any serious goal scoring opportunities. For United Dalton Tate was very effective in central midfield along with Gavin Crawford while in attack Ian McMullan and Aaron McCaffrey chased everything.

United doubled their lead on 65 minutes when Gavin Crawford, who has been scoring regularly in his second season with the club, hit a screamer of a shot from around 20 yards which beat Walsh to nestle in the net.

United were playing with confidence and didn’t have to force the issue however in the closing quarter Olympic made a few changes and it paid dividends when they scored with a deflected header to leave a grandstand finish.

United introduced stalwart Johnny Stevenson to the action for his first outing of the season along with teenager Greg Allison and their fresh legs provided a threat to an Olympic team who were chasing the equaliser. Stevenson was unlucky not to score when he crashed a shot of the Olympic crossbar however the visitors were able to hold out to secure a vital three points and end a two game losing sequence when they have perhaps been a shade unlucky with the run of the ball.

This week United host Rathfern Rangers in a league game at the Millbridge.

Match Report: Ballykinlar Rec 2 v 3 Ballynahinch United 2nds

The Swifts continued their excellent unbeaten opening to the season with a hard fought victory away to Ballykinlar Rec.

Graeme McMullan gave the Swifts the lead with a superb drive from the edge of the penalty area after some hard work and an assist from Shaun Bonner.

Halfway through the first half the home side were reduced to ten men following a straight red card for a foul on Ross Bingham. However a resurgent Ballykinlar fought back to lead 2 – 1 at half time.

Playing against 10 men gave the Swifts the upper hand in the 2nd half and Gareth Bingham equalised with a header from an Alan Massey corner to make the score 2 – 2.

The hard working Ben Wilson continued his scoring run and made sure of the 3 points after a goalmouth scramble to fire the ball into the net.