Tag: 2nds

Ballynahinch United IIs 3 v 2 Ballywalter Rec. IIs

The Swifts continued their strenuous programme of fixtures when they entertained Ballywalter Rec 2nds at the Millbridge. This was most certainly a roller coaster game which could well have gone either way.

The Swifts dominated play in the first half and could well have scored a bag full but a combination of last ditch defending, great saves and rank poor finishing contrived to keep the score down.

Birthday boy Gareth Bingham opened the scoring when he fired in after 50 minutes but a rash tackle from Paul King gave Ballywalter the equaliser from the penalty spot.

Greg Allison who had played a part in the opening goal was again the play maker for the Swifts second goal when his run ended with McCaffrey executing a neat finish. Again slack defending allowed Ballywalter to equalise and a mistake by Herron left a forward with an open goal and he unbelievably placed his shot wide.

Allison’s pace and desire to pursue lost causes resulted in the Swifts winning the game when he chased down a ball that everyone thought was going out for a throw and raced into the penalty before squaring to Herron who shot into the net.

Ballynahinch United IIs 3 v 2 Greencastle Rovers IIs

Day light robbery was all one could describe the outcome of this game which was played on Tuesday 23rd April but sometimes you need a bit of good fortune.

In the first half the Swifts spurred on by Scot Brashaw in midfield laid siege to the Greencastle goal but it was the visitors who took the lead when Stafford spilled a cross and a forward slid the ball into the empty net. The equaliser came on the half hour mark when Brashaw chipped the ball through to McCaffrey and he took it on the chest before shooting calmly past the keeper.

The visitors took the lead shortly afterwards when a free kick was driven into the six yard box for Ross Hayes to deflect it into the net for an own goal.

Just before half time Scot Brashaw equalised when he guided a loose ball into the net from ten yards.

In the second half Greencastle dominated possession and how they didn’t score is something of a miracle, however in the closing quarter the Swifts came back into the game forcing several corners. Greencastle actually cleared the last corner but as they rushed out Aaron McCaffrey timed his run perfectly to run onto a Paul King cross to head the winner.

The Swifts played another game on Thursday night away to Suffolk and they also secured all three points with a winner from Ian McMullan.

Civil Service 2nds 1 v 3 Ballynahinch United 2nds

The Swifts picked up a hard won three points at the Civil Service playing fields on Tuesday 16th April.

In the previous week’s drawn game they had faced a Kilroot team containing a lot of first teamers and this was no different however securing the three points was made all the sweeter by having to play at their very best.

In the first half Gareth Bingham saw a shot cannon off the cross bar while Darren Fitzsimmons was blown for offside after he touched in Aaron McCaffrey’s goal bound shot. Civil Service were at their most dangerous from corner kicks and the Swifts defence of Gibson, Majury, Craig McMullan and King had to work hard while John McMenamin in goals made a number of important saves and catches. He could do little when the Civil Service took the lead on the stroke of half time.

In the second half a more determined Swift took the field and they equalised after 5 minutes when Greg Allison broke free down the left and crossed brilliantly for Fitzsimmons to score.

Midway through the half substitute Ian McMullan was introduced and he made an immediate impact when he scored with a header from Fitzsimmons right wing cross.

Graham McMullan was introduced on the right wing and he enjoyed some decent possession and late in the game he was fouled on the outside of the penalty area. Civil Service had at this stage got back into the game and the Swifts needed a goal for a cushion. Danny Reid in one of his all too rare appearances scored with an outstanding right foot shot that beat the Civil Service keeper all ends up to sail into the roof of the net.

This was an excellent performance with the younger players such as McMenamin, Graham McMullan and Greg Allison putting in stellar performances.

The next few weeks will be frenetic for the Swifts with a stream of Saturday and midweek games to the end of the season.

Last Saturday goals from Darren Fitzsimmons and Aaron McCaffrey secured a 2-2 draw away to St Teresa’s.

Ballynahinch Utd IIs 3 v 3 Kilroot Recreation IIs

The Swifts entertained a Kilroot reserve side which has not won a single game this season and which was filled with first teamer’s in this enthralling league game at the Millbridge.

Aaron McCaffrey gave the Swifts the lead after ten minutes but a rash tackle on the edge of the penalty area saw Kilroot equalise with a well-placed free kick. Not long Ethan Majury conceded a penalty which was converted despite Johnny McGreevy getting a hand to it.

On the half hour mark Aaron McCaffrey got the equaliser when he rose highest in the penalty area to head home brilliantly from a Majury free kick. Kilroot who were dangerous on the break scored a third following a sweeping move down the right wing.

Paul King who had one of his poorest games by his own admission scored the equaliser before half time with a simply stunning strike from 20 yards out that shot into the roof of the net.

After this the scene was set for a rip roaring second half or so the half dozen or so supporters who braved the elements but they were to be sorely disappointed. Very few chances were created and had it not been for an excellent save just after half time from McGreevy the Swifts may not have got anything out of the game at all.

The best player on the park in the second half was teenager Greg Allison who worked his socks off on the left wing both in attack and defence and he was closely followed by the efforts of another teenager Graham McMullan who had a good game on his first start for the Swifts.