Tag: Scott Brashaw

Ballynahinch United 1 v 0 Grove United

United entertained Grove United in this league fixture at Millbridge last Saturday and having defeated the Belfast Shore Road side the previous week in a close encounter the same difficult game was expected.

It was the home team who were on the attack from kick off with JJ Carlisle and Lee Maxwell combining well on the right wing with Stuart McMullan and Johnny Gibson providing a similar threat on the left flank.

After forcing a series of corners it was United who would score what turned out to be the only goal of the game in the 15th minute. Johnny Gibson did extremely well to keep an over hit cross from going out of play which deceived the Grove defence and when he managed to cross the ball onto the edge of the six yard area Gavin Crawford was standing unmarked to head home off the inside of the post.

Throughout the game United’s defence of JJ Carlisle, Scott Brashaw, Ross Hayes and Stuart McMullan were resolute and with Brian McMullan in commanding form, Grove never really created any serious goal threat despite having some good possession.

In midfield Aaron Cheevers worked tirelessly alongside Ian Boal and Gavin Crawford while Ian McMullan was always an attacking threat but little fell his way. Gregg Alison and Davy Boal provided extra support when they came on and even though it wasn’t a convincing display it was nevertheless a deserved victory with another clean sheet being a bonus.

This week United travel to Ballywalter Rec. for a league fixture.

Dunmurry YM 4 v 1 Ballynahinch United

United travelled to Napier Park, Dunmurry last Saturday for this league encounter with the local Dunmurry Young Men side who are currently sitting top of the league.

It was Ballynahinch United who started brightly with teenager Greg Allison providing a serious threat on the right wing however it was the home side who took the lead after fifteen minutes when their speedy left winger got one on one with Brian McMullan and lobbed the ball over the onrushing keeper.

United had the chance to equalise soon after when a Dunmurry defender was penalised for pulling Ian McMullan back at a corner however the usually reliable Gareth McMullan whilst placing his kick well did not give it enough power and the home goalkeeper was able to claw it away for a corner.

Dunmurry were a fairly combative and direct side relying primarily on their left winger and it was this player that was the undoing of United for the second goal. On the half hour mark he ran onto a long ball and seeing that Scotty Brashaw was going to catch him outside the penalty area he cut across the defenders path and in the resulting unavoidable tangle of legs he won a foul and a red card for the unlucky Brashaw.

Dunmurry scored their second when Brian McMullan was unable to hold a low ground shot from a free kick on what was a very wet and greasy surface that came through a crowded penalty area.

In the second half United faced what appeared an impossible task however a number of substitutions saw the introduction of David Kelly and new signing Simon McKenna saw a more attacking line up and within five minutes they pulled a goal back when Allison outpaced the Dunmurry keeper and rounded the keeper to shoot home.

United pressed for an equaliser and were always vulnerable to the counter attack and on the hour mark they found themselves 3-1 down when despite a great save from Brian McMullan the ball fell to a midfielder to slot home.

United soldiered on but in the last ten minutes they were reduced to nine men when Stuarty McMullan was sent off for another last man tackle which was extremely unlucky particularly as the referee indicated after the game that the forward was already on his way down before the tackle was made.

Despite what was a decent performance in difficult circumstances United are going to have to address the disciplinary issues that are ruining their season and which cannot all be explained away by poor refereeing.

United have no game this weekend and will not know their next fixture until the beginning of next week.

Ballynahinch United 1 v 1 Downshire

United returned to league action at the Millbridge for the first time in 2014 against their near neighbours the Hillsborough based Downshire YM who until recently have not been having the greatest of seasons. United entered the game with a plethora of changes due to the absence for a variety of reasons of experienced campaigners Davy Boal, Aaron Cheevers, Gavin Crawford, Ross Hayes and Simon Jackson from the previous week’s team.

The opening exchanges were even, however by the time United took the lead in the fifteenth minute they were dominating proceedings. A surge from defence by Scott Brashaw was not halted and as the defender took the ball to the edge of the six yard area he cut it back for Johnny Gibson to shoot home. The same player had almost scored minutes earlier when his long range shot cannoned off the crossbar with experienced Downshire YM keeper Brian Burgess well beaten.

United’s defence of Ethan Majury, JJ Carlisle and Scott Brashaw had their work cut out over the next fifteen minute period as Downshire prompted in midfield by former United player Matty Shaw laid siege to the home goal in which Brian McMullan’s handling was outstanding. The big keeper however was unable to stop the equaliser from the penalty spot on twenty five minutes after JJ Carlisle had been penalised.

After this flurry of goal scoring, clear cut openings were limited for the reminder of the game especially as the second half progressed with perhaps both teams afraid of losing. United’s midfield of Ian Boal, Lee Maxwell, Stuart McMullan and Johnny Gibson worked tirelessly to create openings while Ian and Gareth McMullan combined very well up front.

While the result may not have been to the pleasing of a good local support the introduction of teenagers Greg Allison and on his debut Jack Patterson gave them a glimpse of the future stars with neither in the slightest overawed.

St Patricks YM 4 v 2 Ballynahinch United

United travelled to the Olympia Leisure Centre for this league encounter against top three side St Patricks YM on their all-weather surface.

It was the home team, not surprisingly who were on the front foot from early on as they were used to the pitch however United, who like to play the ball on the ground soon adapted.

Having settled into the game it was disappointing that they fell behind after 12 minutes when some slack marking from a corner left a St Patrick’s player free to side foot the ball into the net.

United continued to play attractive football and it was no surprise when they equalised on the 15 minute mark. A good interception from Ross Hayes led to a long run from Scott Brashaw who exchanged passes with Lee Maxwell and Aaron Cheevers before the ball broke for Gareth McMullan to stroke it into the net. On 20 minutes United went head when Gareth McMullan got his second after a scramble in the penalty area. His hooked lob went over the home keepers head and dropped into the empty net.

The home team were level on the half hour mark when a cross from left to right wing was superbly headed into the net from the edge of the penalty area to give Brian McMullan no chance.

United were reduced to ten men when Davy Boal was dismissed for a second bookable offence moments after the equaliser. This was an extremely harsh decision as the opponent ran into the defender who had made no attempt to tackle him and could not possibly have got out of the way. It was disappointing to see the home team players and officials pressurising the referee to produce the second yellow card.

St Patricks went 3-2 ahead in the 35th minute through a headed goal after a prolonged goal mouth scramble.

In the second half United enjoyed long periods of possession and had a number of shots on goal from Crawford, Jackson, Kelly and Gareth McMullan but they were unable to get the break that their endeavour deserved.

All three substitutes, Ian Boal, Johnny Gibson and Ethan Majury were introduced early in the second period however it was the home team who got the only goal of the second half when a Brashaw clearance fell to one of their players to shoot home.

United never gave up and indeed never really looked like they were a player short as Aaron Cheevers, Stuart McMullan and Scott Brashaw worked tirelessly with the ball to create openings which unfortunately whizzed over the bar or wide of the post.

This Saturday United entertain Hillsborough side Downshire YM who have improved of late and who will provide difficult opposition.

Club News

The Albion had a home game in the league against Carryduff Colts on saturday however despite goals from Paul King and a first for the club from teenager Jack Shepherd they were defeated 4-2.

The Swifts had a free week.

Congratulations to Scott Brashaw and Steven Jess for organising an excellent fund raiser last Saturday night which was very successful and many thanks to all those who turned up.