Ballynahinch FC Notes

BALLYNAHINCH UNITED NOTES BANGOR RANGERS 0   BALLYNAHINCH UNITED  2 United travelled to Clandeboye Road, Bangor, for this game against Bangor Rangers and they lifted a valuable three points thanks to a solid performance. The day got off to the best of all starts with a goal in the first few minutes courtesy of Ian Boal who took a superb lay off from Ian McMullan to volley home. This enabled United to settle and while the home side pressed for an equaliser United’s defence, which included Scott Brashaw on his return from illness, repelled everything they threw at them giving goal keeper Brian McMullan one of his quieter days. In midfield Boal, Patterson, Hunter and Herron were very industrious while Ian McMullan and Roman Gugulev were always a threat. Despite creating a number of scoring opportunities United didn’t get a second until quite late on when Ian McMullan produced a flash of brilliance in the closing minutes to score with an overhead kick. This Saturday United travel back to the Ards Peninsula when they take on Ballywalter Rec. COUNTY ANTRIM JUNIOR SHIELD BALLYNAHINCH United 2nds 3  LISNAFILLAN SWIFTS 4 The Swifts went out of the Junior Shield at the first hurdle with a disappointing performance against Ballymena Saturday Morning League side Lisnafillan Swifts. Finding themselves 2 – 0 down after half an hour the Swifts got into their stride but some extremely poor finishing prevented the Swifts getting back into the game until the closing period of the first half when Bingham slotted home after some great work by Adam Greer. In the second half the Swifts dominated play and as the visitors defence became more and more stretched they conceded no less than three penalties. Although they missed the first through Alan Massey the other two were converted by  Keith Hamilton to eventually get back on level terms. As the game looked as if it would go to extra time Lisnafillan launched a late attack to score what was the winner and while the Swifts defence thought the scorer was offside it was nevertheless poor defending. In the closing minutes Keith Hamilton hit the post from a curling free kick but the Swifts could not get the equaliser however overall  they were the architects of their own downfall. The Albion travelled to Rathfriland to play Moneyslane Thirds at the local High School and although they took an early lead through Gregg McCracken they lost 6 – 1.]]>