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.

Ballynahinch United 2nds 0 v 3 Colin Valley 2nds

The Swifts played their first home league game of the season and fell to a defeat to a strong Colin Valley side who will surely challenge for honours this season.

The visitors went in front after ten minutes and for the remainder of the first half the Swifts endeavoured to get back into the game creating numerous half chances but a goal would not come. Colin Valley increased their lead midway through the second half and a dubious penalty sealed the Swifts fate. Defensively Majury, Greene, Dunlop and Craig McMullan performed well while Nelson worked hard in the centre of midfield with Alan McMullan and Darren Fitzsimmons working hard up front.

This week the Swifts travel to Groomsport in the league.

Ballynahinch United 3rds 3 v 2 Carryduff Athletic

Davy Teggarty’s Albion got their first three points on Saturday with a hard fought victory over a hard working Carryduff Athletic side.

Featuring up to seven teenagers in the line up the team started well and were ahead after three minutes when Matthew Murnin’s 40 yard shot dipped under the cross bar at the right moment to beat the keeper all ends up.

The visitors were level after 35 minutes however on 40 minutes Greg Allison rounded the keeper to make it 2- 1.

The second half was very close however Jason Brennan put the Albion 3-1 up on 65 minutes when he back heeled the ball into the net.

Carryduff got back into the game in the 80th minute to make it 3-2 and thereafter Albion keeper Johnny McGreevy was called on to make a few decent saves. Stuart Wilcox had the ball in the net late on but it was ruled out for offside.

Ballynahinch United 1 v 1 Saintfield United

United entertained local rivals Saintfield United in this league game at Millbridge.

The two sides had met almost a month ago with United winning by a clear margin at Saintfield however in this reverse fixture things were not made so easy with the visitors in much more resilient mood.

Saintfield United’s excellent win last week against Division 1A side Barn United meant that they were coming off the back of a good result.

It was United who were in the ascendency in the early stages of this game scoring in the 25th minute through Ross Hayes and also hitting both the cross bar and post. Stuart McMullan had a goal ruled out for offside however few in the ground agreed with the referees decision.

In the second half Saintfield were a far better proposition and restricted United’s scoring opportunities to a couple of long range efforts.

United’s inability to get a second goal which would likely have killed the game came back to haunt them when with ten minutes to go Ross Hayes had the misfortune of tunring the ball into his own net for Saintfeild’s equaliser.

United will have been disappointed that they did not play better and would have hoped to have taken all three points particularly at home however they have managed to remain unbeaten for a number of weeks and will hope to take this good fortune into their next match away to Ballywalter Recreation.