Ballynahinch United Notes

Border Cup Round 2 Ballynahinch United 0 v Rosario 3 United entertained Premier Division side Rosario in the second round of the Border Cup at Millbridge on Saturday past and their poor start to the season didn’t improve when they fell behind after five minutes. Despite this set back they battled hard against a very good side that moved the ball around with confidence and scored another two goals before half time to make the tie safe. While they conceded a fourth goal in the second half United came more into the game but their attack came up against an experienced resolute and well drilled defence which gave very little away. This Saturday United entertain Bryansburn Rangers in a league match at Millbridge. Northern Amateur League Division 3D Civil Service II’s  4   Ballynahinch United II’s  4 The Swifts travelled to the Civil Service Sports Ground at Stormont on Saturday past for their first league game of the season. After 20 minutes they found themselves 2 – 0 down due in the main to some slack defending however they still had a fair amount of the play and could easily have scored a couple of goals. In the 25 minute the visitors were awarded a free kick 30 yards out and up stepped full back Jamie McPhail to drill home a shot which the Civil Service keeper didn’t get near. Five minutes later and Gareth Bingham tapped the ball after some good play by Chris Gray and Alan Massey almost put the Swifts ahead when his shot came off the post. Civil Service went into the half a goal up when a combination of poor defending and bad refereeing decision allowed a forward to head home from at least 2 yards off side. Alan McMullan replaced the injured Alan Patterson at half time with Bingham dropping into midfield. The Swifts created a number of scoring chances through McMullan who also hit the cross bar with a long range shot however they did equalise from a corner when McPhail was on hand to drive a loose ball into the net following a corner to make it 3 – 3. In the 80^th minute Civil Service again went ahead when a cross was not cut out and the ball fell to a forward who was standing on the goal line in what looked like an offside position. There was a frenetic finish to the game with both sides on all out attack however the visitors had the last word when Bingham bundled the ball over the line following a corner to give his side a deserved share of the spoils. This Saturday the Swifts travel to play Woodvale II’s in the league and there will have to be a greater improvement defensively to augment the obvious attacking threat that the team possesses. BUFC NOTES The Albion travelled to play Ardglass Thirds and were well beaten by a very strong side. Two many defensive mistakes contributed to their downfall and this is an area there will have to be considerable improvement in. The Albion’s goals came from Paul King and Ciaran Bonner during an improved second half display. Notices are now on display in the club house and have been distributed individually to each player regarding the payment of membership fees. Players should check the club notice board or with their team managers this weekend regarding the arrangements for training for next week onward.]]>