Saturday 21 August
Match Sponsor: B.E.C. ELECTRICAL LTD
League action finally returned to The Millbridge with United hosting Downshire YM in what was dubbed in some quarters as ‘Derby Day’
Continue reading Match Report: B United 2 – 1 Downshire YMUnited entertained Mossley YM at Millbridge last Saturday and following what was a good day’s work they turned in a 3-0 win which gives if they repeat this performance in their remaining games they might just escape relegation.
This game burst into life in the 20th minute when Johnny Stevenson slammed home a shot from around the penalty spot during a scramble in the Mossley penalty area.
The visitors pressed for an equaliser but they created little and the defensive barrier of Davis, Patterson, Dickson and Stuart McMullan provided a platform for this victory given their straightforward approach to clearing their lines. John McMenamin provided a safe pair of hands in the goalkeeper position.
United’s midfield of Ian McMullan, Gavin Crawford, Ben Wilson and Scott Brashaw held the ball comfortably with Brashaw linking effectively with forwards Ross Murray and Johnny Stevenson.
In the second half United came out with a purpose not only to defend their lead but also to increase their it and it was teenager Ross Murray who as a constant thorn in the Mossley defence scored United’s second on 50 minutes when he smashed the ball home after good work by Stevenson. Crawford went close minutes later when he shot over after a serious bit of misunderstanding in the visitors defence.
On the hour mark Murray made it 3 -0 when the Mossley defence waited for an offside call against Stevenson however he had never made any attempt to go for the ball and the quick thinking teenager scampered onto the loose ball to coolly finish past the goal keeper.
Sadly the game got rather physical in the latter parts of the game and manager Alan Davis replaced a few of his senior players because of the danger of them being sent off such was the provocation being dished out. Greg Allison, John Hill and Ben Onuoha came into the game and played excellently to maintain one of the few clean sheets of United’ season so far.
Ballynahinch United Swifts secured a derby win against Drumaness when the two teams played each other at the Assumption playing fields on Saturday. A hat trick from Alan Massey and another from Craig Tate gave them a valuable three points.
Last Saturday was the traditional cup final celebrations at the Millbridge which started at 2.00pm with a match featuring two teams made up of over and under 30’s which provided great entertainment and lots of fun as well as seven goals.
Despite going a few goals down the under 30’s stormed back to win 4-3. Each player taking part made a contribution to support David Griffiths who sustained a broken leg earlier in the season playing for the 2nds and a presentation was made to David prior to the player’s awards event.
Following the game everybody moved to the clubhouse were they enjoyed a buffet meal followed by the annual end of season prize giving. Club Chairman Gilbert Cromie in his opening remarks thanked all those who had worked tirelessly behind the scenes to organise and finance the club or maintain its Millbridge facilities. He highlighted the stewardship of Treasurer Gareth Bingham and the diligence of groundsman Jimmy Brown who although present is currently recovering from a knee operation. He thanked the many club sponsors for their continued support and the supporters who turned up in their numbers throughout the season which was very much appreciated.
Referring to the first team’s relegation disappointing as it was he thanked former manager Keith Hamilton for his unstinting efforts and expressed the club’s gratitude to Scott Brashaw and Ross Hayes for stepping in to take in the role until the end of the season.
One shining light in the season was the introduction of an almost entirely youth based second team managed by Alan Davis and Paul Allison which had received considerable plaudits from within the Newcastle league and from which a number of players had joined the first team squad acquitting themselves very well.
In closing the Chairman refereed to the appointment of Alan Davis and Paul Allison as first team managers with Gareth Bingham and Davy Teggarty taking over the seconds. He assured them that the club committee would give them 100% support and he asked the players and supporters to do the same as we all try to take the club forward.
The awards which were presented by the first and second team managers were as follows:
Young Player of the Year: Jack Davis.
Overall Leading Club Scorer: Ross Murray.
Davy Teggarty, Alan Davis, Ross Murray,Jack Davis, Ross Hayes, Alex Burtney & Scott Brashaw
A hat trick from teenager Ross Murray was the highlight of this game which was abandoned in the 78th minute following a serious leg injury to Swifts striker David Griffith’s.
Despite having to survive constant pressure in the opening ten minutes it was Ballynagross who took the lead when an attacker shot home from outside the penalty area giving Swifts keeper John McMenamin no chance. The lead however did not last long as Aaron Cheevers burst through on the right following good work from Ben Wilson and shot home to equalise.
The Swifts had several other scoring opportunities with Simon Wishart causing mayhem around the penalty area but it was from the penalty area that they took the lead after he was held back during a goal mouth scramble. Up stepped Dylan Fitzpatrick to rifle the spot kick into the net. Ballynagross continued to cause the Swifts trouble with their rampaging breaks with Wilson, Fitzpatrick, Onhua and Burtney working hard to contain them.
The strong midfield of Murray, Crawford, Hunter and Aaron Cheevers were tenacious in the tackle and worked the ball extremely well and in the 35th minute they went 3 – 1 up when Aaron Cheevers raced to the bye line and fired in a superb cross which was met by Ross Murray who shot into the net.
In the second half the home team started lively lunching a number of attacks but within ten minutes Scott Cheevers who had been prominent in nearly every one of Swifts attacks scored when the ball broke free in the six yard box. Not long after Ross Murray had doubled his tally when he shot home to make it 5 – 1.
The Swifts were dominant throughout the second half creating numerous scoring chances with Ballynagross defending resolutely and manager Alan Davis introduced substitutes Craig Tate and David Griffiths with both players adding additional pace to an already rampant attack.
In the 78th minute David Griffiths was injured in a 50/50 challenge with the ball falling to Ross Murray who slammed it into the net. The celebrations that followed were brief when the seriousness of David’s leg injury became clear with players and officials from both sides coming to his aid immediately. Referee Colin Dickson abandoned the game as there was no appetite on either side to continue and he was unstinting in his efforts to ensure that David was as comfortable and warm as possible on what was a very cold day indeed.
The officials and players of BUFC would wish David a speedy recovery from his injury and would like to pay tribute to referee Colin Dickson, the players and officials of Ballynagross and the ambulance staff for their assistance.
