Tag: Glynn Robinson

Glynn Robinson appointed first team manager

The club would like to announce the appointment of Glynn Robinson as first team manager. Glynn brings a wealth of experience of amateur league football both as a player and for the last 10 years in various coaching roles, most recently spending the last 2 years at Newcastle. Glynn is also a former United player and so is familiar with the club.

Glynn will be joined by assistant manager Dale Davidson who enjoyed a successful playing career, most notably with Killyleagh YC whom he later also managed.

We would like to wish both men good luck for the season ahead and into the future.

Further announcements regarding pre-season training will follow, where any new players who fancy a change or new challenge would be most welcome.

Ballynahinch United 2nds 3 v 5 Kirkistown

The Swifts entertained Kirkistown in this league encounter at Millbridge.

An early goal from Kirkistown was equalised by an Aaron McCaffrey header from a Glynn Robinson free kick.

Ross Bingham had a good opportunity to score but he miskicked in front of goal.

The visitors scored two quick goals to take a 3-1 half time lead and another two goals early in the second half seemed to put the game at 5-1 out of the reach of a much changed Swifts team.

However a couple of goals late in the half from Allan Massey [penalty] and a second from Aaron McCaffrey brought about a comeback that had the Kirkistown team reeling however they managed to hang on.

Ballynahinch United 2nds 5 v Banbridge YC 2

The Swifts got back to league action with a home fixture at Drumaness Council Ground against league newcomers Banbridge YC. In a lively first half the Swifts took the lead from the penalty spot when Alan Massey converted after Aaron McCaffrey had been felled in the penalty area.

The visitors equalised with a shot from 25 yards and then took the lead when defender Ross Bingham was unlucky to head past keeper Johnny McGreevy. The Swifts got level when Graeme McMullan, on for the injured Johnny Stevenson, equalised.

David Kelly who was controlling midfield along with Gareth Bingham gave the home side the lead when he carried the ball half the length of the pitch before despatching a shot from twenty yards into the roof of the net.

In the second half the Swifts took control of the game with their defence of Ross Bingham, Glynn Robinson, Scott McNeill and John McMenamin performing in a more controlled manner while Greg Allison caused mayhem on the ring wing. Stuart Wilcox made the score 4-2 when he latched onto Alan Massey’s free kick and Graeme McMullan headed home a cross from Greg Allison to close the scoring at 5-2.

This was a good performance from an almost full strength side which saw the return from injury of Shaun Bonner when he made a second half appearance.

The Swifts play their first game of the season at Millbridge this week when they entertain Valley Rangers 3rds.

Tollymore Forest 1 v 3 Ballynahinch Swifts

The Swifts travelled to Bear Park, Newcastle for this league encounter against Tollymore seconds. It was the visitors who enjoyed the majority of the opening exchanges controlling play for long periods of time with Johnny Stevenson holding the ball up well for strike partner Aaron McCaffrey while the midfield of Graeme McMullan, Gareth Bingham, Alan Massey and Greg Allison worked tireless in both attack and defence. The Swifts lost defender Shaun Bonner with an ankle injury on the half hour mark and he was replaced by Jamie McPhail.

Ballynahinch United Swifts that played in the match against Tollymore Forest
Ballynahinch United Swifts that played in the match against Tollymore Forest

The Swifts took the lead after thirty five minutes when a long free kick from Glynn Robinson flew over the heads of the Tollymore defence into the path of the Aaron McCaffrey who controlled the ball before gliding it into the net.

In the closing period of the half McMullan, McCaffrey, Stevenson, Allison and Bingham all had got efforts either saved or go wide of goal.

In the second half Tollymore started brightly causing the Swifts defence of Ethan Majury, Scott McNeill, Glynn Robinson and Jamie McPhail lots of problems however they held them at bay and slowly played their way back into the game.

Aaron McCaffrey gave his team a 2-0 lead after fifty minutes when he converted a loose ball after great work from Stevenson. Indeed Stevenson should have been awarded a penalty after he was bundled over from behind inside the six yard area.

The two goal lead was never going to be enough and when Tollymore scored on the hour mark the alarm bells started to ring and never more so when they hit the post with a header that looked for all the world as if it was going in. A few saves from Johnny McGreevy were required as well before the two goal margin was restored when Johnny Stevenson crashed the ball home after great interplay between Bingham, Massey and Allison.

This was a very good display against a workmanlike Tollymore side that were well served by veteransRay Kendall and Mark Hughes and a number of young players who displayed excellent ball skills. Swifts manager Davy Teggarty will be happy with the result and a lot of the general play however he will know that his team were wasteful in front of goal.