NADAFL League Div 1
Saturday 12 November 2016
Ardglass II’s 3 Ballynahinch United Swifts 3
Once again the Swifts were on the road again this time at second placed Ardglass Swifts. The first 20 minutes saw both teams trying to gain the upper hand with Mcmullan and Allison probing the wings supplied by the impressive Crawford and Aaron McCaffrey in the midfield. Goalkeeper McMenamin was called into action first with a fine tip round the post.
The Swifts started to get in behind Ardglass and they went close when a flick from Bingham saw Cheever’s race into the box but the ball wouldn’t sit for him to get a decent shot off. Another save from McMenamin brought a succession of corners and when the Swifts defence switched off to allow a free header at the back post to give Ardglass the lead.
Once again the Swifts played good flowing football and when Crawford picked out McMullan on the wing he beat his man and squared to Cheevers but the pass was too heavy and a great chance went begging. Swifts equalised when a miscue by Allison was won back by Bingham who passed on to Cheevers who in turn found Crawford running in and he finished smartly to make the half time score 1-1.
In the second half the Swifts looked comfortable with Tyndall and Burtney coming more into the game and Fitzpatrick and Onhua controlling things at the back. Manager Alan Davis felt his team was on top but a long punt up field caught everyone out and although McMenamin made a gallant effort to retrieve the situation he could not prevent the Swifts from falling behind.
Five minutes later the character of the Swifts came to the fore when a dangerous ball into the penalty area from Crawford caused panic resulting in a defender scoring past his own keeper.
Ardglass continued their very effective long ball route and once again they scored to lead 3 – 2. Manager Davis brought on Tate, Wishart and Malcolmson to give fresh running up top and Tate almost scored his customary goal straight away but was denied by a good save.
This led to a corner which Ardglass could not clear and Cheevers slipped in McCaffrey who made it 3-3 all. Both teams almost grabbed winners but a draw was the fair result. Another good display on the road from the Swifts who showed great character to come back three times to earn a good point.
