NAFL Division 1 (League Game).
Ballynahinch Olympic FC 2-1 Immaculata FC.
This match was another piece of history for newly promoted Ballynahinch Olympic.
I
t was their first home match in the top flight in front of a good crowd despite the very poor weather. The action, however, did not go to plan early in the game as Olympic went behind to an early strike by Kevin McGovern of Immaculata.
Olympic looked nervous early on and it took them 20 minutes to settle into the game. But once they had settled in Ballynahinch began to dominate possession. This possession payed off just after the half hour mark when Niall Murray found the net despite the attempts of the Immaculata goalkeeper to close him down. The teams went back to the changing rooms at half time all square and at this point the game was anyones for the taking.
The second half saw both teams come out trying to play football which was difficult given the heavy rain. It took a more direct ball from the Olympic midfield to release Callum Dougan through on goal. Dougan remained cool and calm to slip the ball into the bottom corner of the net as the goalkeeper advanced much to the delight of the Ballynahinch supporters who were ecstatic to see their team take a 2-1 lead against the early season Division 1 leaders with 25 minutes remaining.
Immaculata fought hard to get back in the game and as the clock ticked down they increased the pressure on the Ballynahinch defence but despite a few scares in the BAllynahinch Olymoic goal area, the home side weathered the Immaculata storm and occasionally even looking dangerous on the break.
The game ended 2-1 to the home team giving them their first ever win in the Premier Division of the Northern Amateur football league.
James McClean was the only sub for Ballynahinch Olympic taking over from Callum Dougan. The Olympic team looked less nervous at the end of this match as they had an important victory to celebrate.
Ballynahinch Olympic: Ryan Walsh, Conor Reid, Steven McGoran, Dalton Tate, Jason Noade, Ryan Molloy, Ryan Noade, Stephen Noade, (c), Niall Murray, Callum Dougan, Nathan Jones, Subs: Adam McLean, James McClean, Lee Ward.
