Tag: Ian McMullan

Ballynahinch United 1 v 1 Ballywalter Recreation

United continued their league programme with the league encounter against Ballywalter who like their hosts are sitting in a mid-table position. United’s squad included the return of JJ Carlisle and Ian Boal from suspension and Stevenson and Jackson from injury and work commitments respectively.

United started very brightly and took the lead within the first few minutes when Ian McMullan headed home from a free kick. They were unable to build on this advantage as the visitors managed to control the game with their physicality which would cost them dearly with the dismissal of a midfielder for a bad tackle midway through the half.  Efforts by JJ Carlisle, Gareth McMullan and Simon Jackson failed to increase the lead while Brian McMullan had to be at his brilliant best to repel several good efforts from the visitors speedy forwards. Ballywalter got their break just before half time when the ball broke from a corner to fall kindly for a forward who smash past Brian McMullan for the equaliser.

In the second half United enjoyed the majority of possession with Cheevers, Maxwell, Crawford and Stuart McMullan moving the ball throughout midfield however they could not find the openings for the forwards. Ballywalter were reduced to nine men on the hour mark when Ian McMullan was the victim of a vicious challenge from behind.

The visitors worked tirelessly to stop United getting scoring opportunities and they employed every tactic they could to waste time to hold onto what they had. Substitutes Ian Boal and Johnny Gibson were introduced and United almost scored with a header from Maxwell who perhaps had more time than he thought while Stuart McMullan looked to have scored with a superb shot but the Ballywalter keeper produced an excellent save.

United will have been disappointed not to have won this game however but for a few timely interceptions from defensive pairing Ross Hayes and Scott Brashaw they could have lost as Ballywalter posed a threat on the break.

Ballynahinch United 2 v 0 Rathfern Rangers

United entertained Belfast side Rathfern Rangers at Millbridge in this league encounter.

The home team were without the injured Ethan Majury and the suspended JJ Carlisle and the Boal brothers however they welcomed back Adam Herron into the match day squad. The early exchanges were even with both teams pressing for the advantage although the visitors had been lucky when their goal keeper dropped a corner ball against the post and his defence managed to get it scrambled away.

Ian McMullan who has been on the score sheet regularly in recent weeks added to his tally after 25 minutes when he was on hand to take advantage of a collision between goalkeeper and central defender to bundle the ball over the line. He was making up for missing a chance a minute earlier when he headed wide from a Johnny Gibson cross. After this Rathfern picked up the pace and caused the United defence of Scott Brashaw, Ross Hayes and Stuart McMullan considerable problems while goal keeper Brian McMullan was in outstanding form foiling several one on ones to keep a clean sheet before half time.

The start of the second half saw United take a 2-0 lead within minutes of the kick off. A good passing movement through midfield involving David Kelly and Gavin Crawford found Aaron Cheevers free and he chipped the ball over the Rathfern defenders into the path of Lee Maxwell who chipped the ball over the advancing keeper into the net.

Moments later United should have had a third goal when Ian McMullan was put through by cousin Gareth McMullan but the referee ruled that he was offside. A moment of indiscipline in the 70th minute saw David Kelly dismissed for retaliation after he was clearly hit in the face off the ball and as a result Manager Keith Hamilton sacrificed a forward by introducing Jay Smyth to the midfield as the United defence was under a fair bit of pressure. Stuart McMullan playing in a much deeper position than usual was in inspirational form regularly emerging with the ball from dangerous positions.

The experienced Adam Herron and later Nathan Farquhar were introduced to the fray and they were involved in a number of attacking moves which put United back on the offensive. From a corner Ian McMullan appeared to be punched by the Rathern keeper who was dismissed however instead of awarding a penalty as the ball was in play which would have sealed the game for United he inexplicably gave a bounce ball.

United’s steel and determination came to the fore in the closing stages of this game and they saw the game out. This was another good display from United who are at home again next week against Ballywalter Recreation.

Ballynahinch United 2 v 0 Bloomfield

United continued their recent good form with a victory over East Belfast side Bloomfield who had been having a steady season until recent weeks.

From the kick off United were on the front foot and within the first minute should have gone ahead when Maxwell shot wide when well positioned. Bloomfield responded and forced a series of corners with Brian McMullan having to make a number of timely interceptions. Ethan Majury was in exceptional form in defence along with Davy Boal, Scott Brashaw and Stuart McMullan who had their work cut out.

In midfield Aaron Cheevers, Ian Boal and Gavin Crawford put in a strong shift and their hard work was rewarded when Ian McMullan shot home from close range after 25 minutes to give United the lead. Gavin Crawford should perhaps have doubled the score just before the half time whistle but he was forced wide.

Bloomfield began the second half strongly however United started to get the ball to Johnny Gibson on the left wing were his pace and crosses caused the visiting defence a lot of trouble however their goal was not troubled as much as it should.

Gareth McMullan came on in the second half to make his first appearance since returning to the club last week and he made an instant impact when he charged down a defenders clearance. The ball spun wickedly across the penalty area and Ian McMullan sensibly waited until he brought it under control before weaving his way back onto the edge of the six yard area to shoot into the net to make it 2-0.

JJ Carlisle and Nathan Farquhar were introduced during the last quarter and they helped to reduce the threat posed by Bloomfield who were reduced to ten men in the closing minutes following a stupid second yellow card for dissent.

This was a good performance by United who travel to Lisburn Rangers this Saturday.

Ballynahinch United 6 v 2 St Patricks YM

United entertained St Patricks YM at the Millbridge in this league game on what was a beautiful autumn afternoon. The visitors who were the champions of Division 1C last season came to the Millbridge on the back of a 100% record so far this season. The home team started brightly and had a few early attacks however St Patricks YM were well organised in defence and as the game progressed they moved the ball about well restricting United’s openings.

The home team had centre forward Simon Jackson back as were Ross Hayes and Scott Brashaw however manager Keith Hamilton kept faith in Ethan Majury at left back after a good performance last week while Gavin Crawford was missing through injury.

The United defence of Davy Boal, JJ Carlisle, Ross Hayes and Ethan Majury worked tirelessly to give Brain McMullan a relatively quiet afternoon. In midfield Ian Boal, Scott Brashaw, Aaron Cheevers and Lee Maxwell proved good support while also creating openings for strikers Jackson and Ian McMullan.

United took the lead in the 40th minute when Jackson pounced on a loose ball and directed it into the path of Lee Maxwell who placed the ball into the corner of the net to round off what was a good all round first half performance.

The second half proved to one of the most eventual at the Millbridge for some considerable time and was not for any home supporter who was of a nervous disposition.

The discipline of the visitors was very poor to say the least and they had tried the referee’s patience on a number of occasions and when a player kicked out in the United penalty area while his team mates were preparing to take a corner the referee spotted it and produced the red card.

Shortly afterwards poor marking in the United defence allowed St Patricks in claim an equaliser. United pressed forward and after good work on the right wing by Aaron Cheever’s the ball was dispatched into the net by Ian McMullan.

Further indiscipline followed and another St Patricks player was sent off however this did not stop them from equalising midway through the half to make it 2-2.

United won a free kick on the right wing and Johnny Gibson fired it into the penalty area were the alert Lee Maxwell touched it into the net for a 3-2 lead.

A third St Patricks player got himself for a foul on Stuart McMullan but miraculously United conceded a penalty however it kicked over the cross bar.

Paul King almost made an instant impact when he came on for the injured Ian Boal by side footing a cross narrowly passed the post.

Still a resilient St Patricks chased the equaliser and from a corner a great clearance by Brian McMullan saw Scott Brashaw sprint through to score and made it 4-2.

Soon after Johnny Gibson was sent down the left wing and he slotted the ball past the advancing keeper to make it 5-2 and moments before the final whistle the same player ran through again but this time selfishly placed the ball into the path of Jackson to tap home.

Overall this was a great win and performance with United deserving all three points however conceding two sloppy goals was disappointing.

Ballyclare Comrades 6 v 1 Ballynahinch United

United’s run in the Steel & Sons Cup came to an abrupt halt when they were well defeated by an excellent Ballyclare Comrades side last Saturday. They found themselves two down midway through the half and four down at half time. A spirited second half saw them get a goal back though Ian McMullan but a further two goals were conceded.

This week United play their first home match at Millbridge for well over a month when they entertain NAFL Premier League side Dunmurry Recreation in the Border Cup.