Ballynahinch United IIs 0 v 2 Suffolk 2nds

The Swifts fell to a second successive home defeat this time against Suffolk 2nds in a game that they really should have and perhaps deserved to get something out of.
The visitors took the lead on the half hour with what can only be described as the most outrageous of shots. A Suffolk player cut in to the edge of the Swifts penalty area and unleashed a shot that looked for all the world to be going wide but it suddenly swerved to cut inside the post to give Stafford no chance.

This was really a goal against the run of play because had it not been for some extremely fortuitous defending when shots from Stevenson and Boal were diverted over the bar and past the post by a goalkeeper who really didn’t see them as they came through a sea of bodies on both occasions.

In the second half the Swifts battled gamely and again were out of luck when a right wing cross from Stevenson came off the cross bar and post to rebound off forward Gareth Bingham and out for a goal kick.

Late in the game Suffolk secured all three points when they were awarded a late penalty for hand ball.

Ballykinlar Rec 2-2 Ballynahinch Utd IIIs

Just over a month ago these two teams met in a league game with Ballykinler coming from two down to win 4 – 2 and in the return match this was almost repeated again however Davy Teggarty’s young charges were in no mood for a repeat and they held on doggedly for a deserved share of the spoils.

The Albion took the lead early in this game when Ciaran Bonner scrambled the ball home from a corner and they held this lead until half time. The home team came out in determined mood in the second half and levelled the score after 55 minutes following a defensive mix up.

The game looked to going the way of the physically stronger Ballykinler side as the young Albion team began to tire however on 70 minutes Ross Bingham popped up to convert a left wing cross to give the visitors the lead for the second time.

Their joy was short lived as they had barely settled down after their celebrations Ballykinler drew level again a few minutes later.

Ballykinler pressed for the winner and in doing so they found keeper Johnny McGreevy in excellent form with a little help from a post and the cross bar.

This was a well earned point for the Albion team which again featured a large number of teenagers with defenders John McMenamin and Scott McNeill outstanding.

A word of praise this week and indeed for the second week running for the referee and this time the man in the middle deserving the praise was Marty Rawlinson from Newcastle.

Ballynahinch United 2 v 2 Holywood FC

United entertained Holywood F.C. at the Millbridge on Saturday last and will have been disappointed not to have secured a win however being 2-0 down at half time they may well be happy enough with a point thanks to a brilliant second half comeback.

The home team were 2 – 0 down after the first 25 minutes when they conceded a penalty which was hotly disputed and a second goal through a very good header. United almost got one back before half time when Johnny Hunter hit the post.

In the second half United came out more purposeful and got a goal back when Johnny Hunter scored through a free kick on the hour mark. It would be another quarter of a hour before United got their equaliser when another Hunter free kick was headed into the net by Alan Patterson.

In the last minute the United supporters thought that they had secured all three points when Ian McMullan headed past the Holywood keeper however Scot McKibbin was adjudged to be offside as he put the ball over the line.

A great fight back from United was not enough to retain top spot in the league which was assumed by Rathfern Rangers.

This week United travel to Newcastle for their next league fixture.

Kirkistown 2nds 1 v 1 Ballynahinch United 3rds

The Albion went into this league fixture against Kirkistown on the back of an excellent home victory the previous week.

In what was a closely fought game the goal scoring action came in the last fifteen minutes although the Albion could well have been ahead in the 65th minute had they not missed a penalty. In the 80th minute Kirkistown took the lead from a free kick however Alan Massey equalised from the penalty spot five minutes later to give the Albion a deserved share of the spoils.

This was a very keenly contested affair which was aided by a very good refereeing performance from Colin Dickson.

Ballywalter Recreation 0 v 1 Ballynahinch United

United travelled to Ballywalter Rec on Saturday for a league fixture hoping to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.

The first half was dominated by United however they really created very little except for a header from Ian McMullan which went just over the crossbar. In the second half it was the home side who took up the running and but for a goal line clearance from Scott Brashaw and a couple of good saves from Brian McMullan they would have been behind. Gareth Bingham had one of the best of the second half scoring opportunities when his shot was well saved by the Ballywalter keeper. Just as the game seemed destined to be a scoreless draw Stuarty McMullan skipped down the left wing on 87 minutes and crossed to the back post and up stepped Craig Bowman to side foot the ball into the empty net.

These three points put United to the top of the Division 1B league table although they have played a few more games than their rivals.

This week they entertain Holywood at Millbridge.