Ballynahinch United Face On Form Orangefield

ORANGEFIELD OB   5  BALLYNAHINCH UNITED   1 Away matches to Orangefield Old Boys have in recent times not been very successful outings for United and this proved to be the case on Saturday. United fielded without Stuart McMullan (injured) and Scott Brashaw (illness) however the return  of Richard Spratt made a significant difference as he was able to hold the ball up and combine well with midfielders Boal  and Hunter to give  United a range of attacking options that the home side had difficulty dealing with.. While exchanges were even it was United who had the better chances and the Orangefield keeper was called on to make several outstanding saves from Patterson, Spratt and Herron to prevent certain goals. In the 25^th minute United had what appeared  a clear call for a penalty denied by the referee when Ian McMullan was bundled over close to the six yard box. Minutes later Orangefield were ahead when a midfielder fired in a low shot from 20 yards out that sailed through a sea of bodies in the penalty area  giving Brian McMullan no chance whatsoever. Within five minutes it was 2 – 0 following a goal mouth scramble when a forward managed to  toe poke the ball home. In the second half James Kingscott was introduced to the midfield and early on Scott McKibbin replaced the injured Richard Spratt as United pressed hard to get back into the game and for a while it looked like they might do it but lady luck deserted them as a shot came back off the post and a header was cleared off the line with the keeper well beaten. Orangefield weathered this second half onslaught and by the middle of the half had come back into the game very strongly particularly on the breakaway giving United defence of Carlisle, Walsh , Hayes and Dickson a difficult time while goalkeeper Brian McMullan pulled off several excellent saves. The introduction of Adam Greer to the attack was United’s last throw of the dice and he proved very effective however the more attacking approach left United even more vulnerable to the counter attack and in the last quarter of an hour they conceded three goals. To their credit they never gave up and in the 85^th minute got their reward for persistence when Greer skipped down the ring wing to cross for Ian McMullan to tap in. United are on their travels this week with a trip to Clandeboye Road, Bangor, to take on Bangor Rangers. CLUB NOTES The Swifts home match against 4th Newtownabbey OB 2nds was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. This week they are at home to Lisnafillan Swifts in the 1^st Round of the Junior Shield. The kick off time is 1.30pm. The Albion were defeated 4 – 0 by Dromara III’s. Players should note that training takes place each Tuesday on the Astroturf at St Colman’s High School and on Thursday’s indoor at Ballynahinch High School. There is a charge of £2 per night.]]>