Ballynahinch United Clash With Orangefield

NORTHERN AMATEUR FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 1B BALLYNAHINCH UNITED xa0 0 xa0ORANGEFIELD OLD BOYS xa0 0 Despite the score line this game provided the spectators with an absorbing afternoon’s entertainment as the balance of play ebbed and flowed. The visitors who are in second place in the league had suffered a number of reversals in recent weeks and were keen to get back on track. The opening half hour was very much cat and mouse with a number of strong challenges going in and for Orangefield that would prove costly as they had a player sent off for two yellow cards. [caption id="attachment_22900" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Ballynahinch United only managed a no score draw against a tough Orangefield side. Pictured is Stuart McMullan attacking for United.xa0"][/caption] Despite the handicap it was Orangefield who enjoyed the best of the possession as they seemed more comfortable on the ball and were particularly dangerous from set pieces. United defence superbly marshalled by seasoned campaigners Hayes and Brashaw kept the scoring opportunities down to the very minimum to give keeper Brian McMullan good protection. In the second half United came more into the game and had two glorious opportunities to take the three points. Ian McMullan who was lively throughout ran onto a Stuart McMullan cross but the Orangefield keeper made an excellent save. The same player wormed his way into the penalty area and curled his shot agonisingly wide. In the end a draw was a fair result, however, it does not do either teams outside promotion aspirations any good. This week United travel to two of the title favourites Ardglass [Thursday night] and Rathfriland [Saturday]. NORTHERN AMATEUR FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 3D BALLYNAHINCH UNITED 2nds 1 v DOWNSHIRE YM 2nds 1 This midweek fixture was abandoned late on due to an injury to a Downshire YM forward which necessitated his removal to hospital. The game was delicately balanced with both sides enjoying sizeable proportions of the play. The Swifts goal came from Scott McKibbin. BALLYNAHINCH UNITED 2nds 3 xa0 xa0BALLYWALTER REC.2nds 1 The Swifts had to switch this home game to Killyleagh Leisure Centre due to fixture congestion however they turned in one of their best performances of the season against one of the leading title challengers. While they welcomed back a number of players to the line up goalkeeper Jason Stafford was missing with a leg injury however the manager Johnny Reid stepped in to the unfamiliar role and acquitted himself well. Full back Jamie McPhail opened the scoring while good work from Johnny Stevenson caused a Ballywalter defender to score into its his own goal. Chris Gray made the game safe with the third goal. CLUB NOTES The committee of BUFC would like to express its thanks to those who sponsored races, advertised in the programme, attended or assisted in anyway in making the recent Night of Races such a success. The members of BUFC would like to wish the Downshire YM 2nds player who was injured in the recent game with the Swifts a speedy recovery.]]>