Tag: Michael Vladeanu

Match report: Saintfield United 1 – 1 Ballynahinch United

Ballynahinch faced local rivals Saintfield at Pigeon Hill looking to make amends for last weekend’s defeat.

But it was Saintfield who took the lead from a long ball that bounced through to be scrambled home into the empty net.

Saintfield could’ve doubled their lead in the second half but blazed a penalty over the bar.

United had chances of their own but Ross Murray was unable to get a clinical touch to a Lee Maxwell’s stinging cross.

It was Lee who equalised after Scott Brashaw was fouled in the area.

Player of the Match: Andrew Shannon

Line up: Stefan Graham [C], Harry Wilson (John McMenamin), Alan Dickson, Scott Brashaw, Chris Coleman, Ben Wilson, Jamie McNeill, Andrew Shannon, Glenn Bennett (Anthony Greene), Lee Maxwell, Ross Murray (Luke Curry).

Swifts 2 – 6 Kilmore Rec Rovers

The Swifts faced high-flying Kilmore in the Harry Clarke Cup at The Millbridge.

The away side took the lead after 20 minutes and doubled their lead just after the half hour mark, despite good possession for Ballynahinch.

Renewed vigour in the second half saw United score twice in quick succession when Matthew Douglas pounced on a bouncing ball in the area after Graeme McMullan’s corner.

John Stevenson equalised from the spot after Ian McMullan was fouled. 

Justin Herbert threatened from the right but Ian was unable to give United the lead from his low cross.

Kilmore then capitalised and retook the lead from a free-man at the back post before adding another two while United adjusted to changes at the back after making substitutions. It could’ve been more except for the perseverance of Michael Vladeanu in the United net. 

It was Michael’s first game since January 2024 after a stint in Brighton. While Ben Rodgers also made his first appearance since April 2023 and David Corrie made his competitive debut.

Kilmore rounded off the scoring shortly before the final whistle to go through to the next round. 

Player of the Match: Michael Vladeanu

Line up: Michael Vladeanu, Justin Herbert, Matthew Tate, Will McNeill, Ben Rodgers, Graeme McMullan [C], Gareth Bingham, John Stevenson (David Corrie), Diarmuid Lavery, Ian McMullan, Matthew Douglas (Keith Hamilton)

Albion 0 – 7 Strangford II

It was a tough afternoon for the Albion against a strong Strangford side.

The Albion wore their new kit, donated by That Prize Guy, for the first time.

Player of the Match: Rhys O’Hare

Line up: Steven Chapman, Charlie Parkinson, Ryan Rooney, Lewis Roy (Liam Rodgers), Sam Lockhart, Stephen McNair [C], Callum Greene, Rhys O’Hare, Matthew Lindsay, Ethan Perkins (Thomas Casement), Greg Blunt (Nathan Cheevers).

Match report: St Matthews 3 – 1 B United

Ballynahinch went to face league leaders St Matthews for the first time.

St Matthews, unbeaten, kept the ball well on the 3G pitch but United’s defence never looked threatened with Scott Brashaw and Chris Coleman holding strong, restricting the home side to long range shots.

Ballynahinch got a hold in the game and sustained a long period of possession which saw a well-worked move breakdown in the final third when St Matthews’ keeper collected the final killer ball.

After 20 minutes, the home side changed kit. Ballynahinch’s new kit of navy sleeves and sky blue middle looked almost identical to the home sides black sleeves and white middle. A yellow shirt arrived an hour after the initial kit inspection.

Regardless, the first half ended scoreless with United looking comfortable on and off the ball.

In the second half, a decisive counter attack after Ballynahinch’s own free kick proved to be the opener with a well taken finish.

A second quickly followed when the referee, who had let the game flow very well, gave a questionable free kick on the edge of the box. And the home side doubled their lead as a result.

United fought back and reduced the deficit after changes from Manager, Gareth King.

Sam Lurring and Chris hit the crossbar from the same corner before the ball was eventually scrambled over the line in a goal mouth debacle that Sam claimed. Even the referee was confused.

As United were beginning to push for the equaliser, a short back pass gifted the home side an opportunity to regain a two-goal leads which was duly taken.

In the end, it left Ballynahinch too much to do in the final minutes, in a game they possibly deserved more from.

Apache Pizza Ballynahinch Player of the Match: Stuart McMullan

Line Up: Stefan Graham [C], Greg Hall, Sam Lurring, Scott Brashaw, Chris Coleman (Patrick Harkin), Stuart McMullan, Thomas Rodgers (Luke Craig), David Kelly, Graeme McMullan (Jamie McNeill), Gavin Crawford, Robbie Lurring.

B United Swifts 0 – 4 Downpatrick II

Football finally returned to The Millbridge after a lengthy hiatus after heavy destructive flooding left the pitch and car park in tatters.

The pitch was playable thanks to the great efforts from our committed groundsmen and help from club members and to all those who provided sandbags including Premier Traffic, Morrow Contracts, Neville Rodgers, Cllr Johnny Jackson and Cllr Alan Lewis and to those who donated to ensure we could hire equipment to restore the pitch to a playable state and ensure the car park is fit for use.

However, it wasn’t the homecoming the Swifts were looking for when they fell to a four nil defeat to league leaders Downpatrick II.

The highlight of the game was when youngster Ethan Perkins, entered the fray to join his step-dad on the pitch for the Swifts.

Apache Pizza Ballynahinch Player of the Match: Michael Vladeanu

Line Up: Michael Vladeanu, Ryan Rooney, Stephen McNair, Will McNeill, Keith Hamilton, John Stevenson, Matthew Tate (Kian Connolly), Gareth Bingham, Diarmuid Lavery (Ethan Perkins), Liam Rodgers (Matthew Lindsay), Glenn Bennett.