Tag: 2nds

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 2nds 7 – 1 Ballykinlar

The Swifts entertained Ballykinler on Saturday at a frosty Millbridge. In confident mood after last weeks’ result it was a bit of a shock when The Swifts went one nil down with ten minutes on the clock, however it was no less than their slow start deserved.

The Swifts realised they needed to earn the right to play and that they did. Massey whipped in a cross to the back post for Craig McMullan to control the ball on his chest and rifle the ball home into the roof of the net, proving to be a deserved equalizer.

The wave of attacks was sure to come good and Massey beat his man and dropped a cross over the keeper for Gareth Bingham to fire home, to put The Swifts in the lead.

The youthful Graeme McMullan and Matt Manley were causing havoc on the left wing with their neat passing and direct runs and it was McMullan who exchanged passes with Bingham, no less than twice, to find himself one on one with the keeper. He made no mistake with a neat finish to put The Swifts 3-1 up.

The Swifts went in at the break 3-1 and in a commanding position, but they were keen to grab another goal to widen the gap and found it early in the 2nd half when Massey’s corner went straight in.

Now in firm control The Swifts, with Johnny McGreevy having a comfortable afternoon in nets, helped by his defence of Paul King, John McMenamin and Shaun Bonner, kept the Ballykinler chances to a minimum. Jamie McPhail was a rock in midfield and broke up all that came in his path.

After Gareth Binghams harshly disallowed goal, The Swifts scored again through Craig McMullans finish after good work from McPhail to make it 5-1.

The introduction of Alan McMullan and Dave Griffiths just heightened Ballykinlers’ problems and Griffiths got himself on the score sheet with a close-range finish after good work from Alan McMullan to put him through on goal.

The game was nearing a close when Scott McNeil produced the goal of the game. He went on a mazy run from the right back position, beating no less than 3 opponents, and produced a finish that was out of the top drawer to make the final score 7-1.

The Swifts now go into the Xmas break in good form and undefeated in 9 games from the start of the season and will be surely looking forward to the restart of the league campaign.

Match Report: Ballynahinch United 2nds 4 v 2 Annalong Rangers

This week The Swifts entertained Annalong Rangers at Langley Road. With a few players coming back after missing a couple of weeks through injury and work commitments they were looking forward to the game.

The early exchanges were frantic and untidy with both teams trying to get to grips with each other and the heavy surface.

It was The Swifts who struck first after great work from Jack Patterson on the right wing resulting in a throw in. Paul King came up from defence and delivered his trademark long throw, which was met at the back post by an accurate Gareth Bingham header that flew into the top corner.

The game was hotly contested in the middle of the park with McPhail making some timely challenges. Annalong forced a corner midway through the half and The Swifts failed to deal with it and it creeped in at the near post when it really shouldn’t have.

The Swifts were determined to get back in front and that they did with good work between Graeme McMullan and Dave Griffiths saw McMullan fire a shot in from the edge of the area to give the keeper no chance.

The Swifts now in control, had John McMenamin and Shaun Bonner letting nothing past them at the back with Scott McNeil making some decent runs forward down the left flank. This coupled with McGreevy in commanding form in-between the sticks gave The Swifts a solid base on which to attack.

And attack they did with Griffiths and Massey exchanging passes with Massey then releasing Gareth Bingham who beat his man and too fire in a low shot past the keeper to make it 3-1 at the break.

The second half was scrappy and the challenges were flying in from both teams. Ben Wilson, Matty Manley and Craig McMullan were introduced as subs and Wilson in particular gave the Annalong defence real problems.

After a couple of penalty appeals being turned down after fouls on Manley – Ben Wilson beat his man in the box and when about to shoot was brought down. The referee this time gave the penalty and Massey made no mistake from 12 yards to make it 4-2 after Annalong managed to pull a goal back to make it 3-2.

The Swifts were able to see out the remainder of the game quite comfortably to win 4-2. As seen today, competition is heating up for places and it’s important that the numbers increase at training to help the team continue their 8 game unbeaten start to the season.

Match Report: Ardglass 3rds 1 v 3 Ballynahinch United 2nds

A much changed Swifts travelled to Ardglass on Saturday after a few weeks off due to the adverse weather, that coupled with no less than 7 players missing due to injury and work commitments made it a difficult tie against a team that would provide a stern test.

The Swifts started brightly and were putting the Ardglass defence under considerable pressure, if it had not been for the experience of the Ardglass centre half partnership an early goal would of been a strong possibility.

The Swifts were patient in their build up play and waited for the right opportunity, aided by the defence who were firmly in control they were getting closer to breaking the deadlock with every attack. On the half hour mark a quickly taken free kick by Alan Massey caught the Ardglass midfield flat footed, Paul King received the ball and let a rasping shot go from 25 yards – such was the power in the shot the Ardglass keeper was lucky to save but could not hold onto it and the lively Jack Patterson made no mistake from 10 yards when the ball broke loose.

That goal gave The Swifts more confidence and with Bonner, King, McMenamin and McNeill in commanding form, McGreevy in nets had little to do.

A quick corner from Massey near the break saw him play a one-two and chip a ball onto the far post. A couple of last ditch tackles kept the score at 1 nil. But The Swifts would not be denied. Matty Manley’s smart free kick from the edge of the box caused considerable confusion and again Jack Patterson was in tip top form to smash the ball in.

A mere lapse in consentration just before the halftime whistle saw Ardglass gain a goal direct from a corner when The Swifts ought to have done better.

The Swifts had a clear vision of what was needed in the 2nd half and carried it out well. Bingham never missed a thing all day long and with the impressive Jack Patterson and Manley on the wings The Swifts were a constant threat. Indeed it was Manley on 70 mins who took a short corner to Massey who played the ball back to him, with a neat cross-field pass it was met by McMenamin on the volley for the goal of the game.

This was a good strong team performance from The Swifts who remain unbeaten this season, but with stronger tests on the horizon it will be all hands to the pump especially at home to Annalong this saturday.

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: 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.