SHORTS  2  BALLYNAHINCH UNITED  1 United travelled to bottom of the table team Shorts for this league encounter. The visitors were on a run of four successive wins that has put them into the top four in their league. However, Saturday’s first half performance was a big disappointment which ultimately contributed to their downfall. United were fairly lively in the first period as the home side set their stall out to defend and were difficult to break down. The visitors cause was not helped when McMullan was sent off after half an hour for two bookable offences, simulation and hand ball. This encouraged the home side and soon they found themselves ahead just before half time. In the second half, United came out with a bit more resolve but were soon 2 – 0 down and really this was the spark for them to spring into action. They dominated for long periods of the second half and got a goal back on 70 minutes from Ian Boal who shot home after good work by Roman Gugulev. For the home team it really was backs to the wall with midfielder Ian Boal going close moments later. As the game was reaching its conclusion United hopes of salvaging something were lifted and dashed within moments. Substitute Alan Patterson ran into the penalty area and was brought down with the referee awarding the spot kick however Stewart Cree blasted the resulting kick over the crossbar. United were missing leading scorer Gareth McMullan through illness and they took the opportunity to give a debut to JJ Carlisle and while it was a big step up for the teenager he acquitted himself well. A disappointing end to a good run of wins but United will be anxious to get back on track this week when they entertain Dunmurry YM at the Millbridge in what is always a tricky fixture. NORTHERN AMATEUR FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 3D BALLYNAHINCH UNITED 2nds  2  4th NEWTOWNABBEY OB 2nds  1 The Swifts entered this game missing up to half a dozen regulars and while they achieved a result it was nip and tuck to the end. The home side started off well and could have been ahead when Milton Graham’s shot cannoned off the crossbar and away to safety. The same player however was not to be denied when he ran onto Alan Massey’s pass and chipped the ball over the advancing keeper to give the home side a deserved 1 – 0 lead after 25 minutes. The visitors dominated much of the play for the remainder of the half but they created very little with wayward passes in the final third of the pitch and sound handling from the Swifts man of the match goal keeper Jason Stafford. The visitors equalised in the 55 minute from the penalty spot. Stafford managed to save the initial kick but he could not prevent the kicker scoring from the rebound. After this the home side got back into the game and the visitors were finding it difficult to cope with the running of Scot McKibbin on the right wing conceding numerous free kicks around their penalty area. Alan Massey gave them due warning when the first of a number of free kicks came of the top of the post however in the 70th minute his curling shot gave the keeper no chance to take the home side into a 2 – 1 lead. Jason Stafford was in outstanding form in the closing period pulling off a number of saves to earn his side three points. CLUB NOTES The club’s Night at the Races fund raising event will be held in Cloisters, Dromore Street on Saturday 9th April at 7.30pm. Any player, committee member or supporter who has not purchased a horse for the event should do so before this weekend. Also any business or individual wishing to sponsor a race should contact a committee member as soon as possible. The Albion entertained Killough 2nds at Drumaness on Saturday and despite a gutsy performance they were defeated 6 – 1. Blackwood scored from the penalty spot for the home team.]]>
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