The NAFL League Dvision 1b
BUFC Report
Clarence Cup Round 2
Rooftop 1 Ballynahinch United 3
Ballynahinch United travelled to the Grove Playing Fields in Belfast last Saturday to play Rooftop from NAFL Division 2C in the 2nd Round of the Clarence Cup writes Gilbert Cromie.
The home side were going to be an unknown quantity given that following a poor first half to the season they had undergone a major regeneration since Christmas with the appointment of a new management team and over two dozen signings.
United started confidently and should have been ahead as they created at least three good chances something that they would pay for soon after. On the 15 minute mark a free kick was launched into United’s penalty area where a Rooftop player leapt high to thunder a superb header into the net giving Alastair Coburn no chance.
Although stunned United continued to dominate play and through the promptings of midfielders Wilson, Crawford, Brashaw and Burtney they were soon back in the game. The equaliser came on the half hour mark when Alex Burtney powered home a header from a Stuart McMullan corner and as half time approached he scored his second when he fired the bal into the net when the Rooftop keeper fumbled a powerful shot.
In the second half, United continued to work tirelessly with Stevenson and his replacement Ian McMullan leading the line effectively along with new signing Kieran Rice who made a big impression for his new club. Defensively United worked hard through the efforts of Davis, Murray, Patterson and a man of the match performance from Stuart McMullan.
A Gavin Crawford header midway through the second half put the game beyond the home side and it could have been more had the referee awarded a penalty when Burtney was floored from behind as he bore down on goal.
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Next Saturday the visitors to Millbridge will be Barn United who despite their lowly league position are expected to provide stiff opposition given their recent performances.
