Ballynahinch United 2 v Bloomfield 0
United continued their recent good form with a victory over East Belfast side Bloomfield who had been having a steady season until recent weeks writes Gilbert Cromie.
From the kick off United were on the front foot and within the first minute should have gone ahead when Maxwell shot wide when well positioned. Bloomfield responded and forced a series of corners with Brian McMullan having to make a number of timely interceptions. Ethan Majury was in exceptional form in defence along with, Davy Boal and Scott Brashaw and Stuart McMullan had their work cut out. In midfield Aaron Cheevers, Ian Boal and Gavin Crawford put in a strong shift and their hard work was rewarded when Ian McMullan shot home from close range after 25 minutes to give United the lead. Gavin Crawford should perhaps have doubled the score just before the half time whistle but he was forced wide.
Bloomfield stated the second half strongly however United started to get the ball to Johnny Gibson on the left wing were his pace and crosses caused the visitors defence a lot of trouble however their goal was not troubled as much as it should.
Gareth McMullan came on in the second half to make his first appearance since returning to the club last week and he made an instant impact when he charged down a defenders clearance. The ball spun wickedly across the penalty area and Ian McMullan sensibly waited until he brought it under control before weaving his way back onto the edge of the six yard area to shoot into the net to make it 2-0.
JJ Carlisle and Nathan Farquhar were introduced during the last quarter and they helped to reduce the threat posed by Bloomfield who were reduced to ten men in the closing minutes following a stupid second yellow card for dissent.
This was a good performance by United who travel to Lisburn Rangers this Saturday.
Ballynahinch United 2nds 3 v Ballynagross 2nds 2
The Swifts got back to winning ways with an excellent win at home to Ballynagross 2nds.
Manager Davy Teggarty’s line up was restricted through the absence through injury of experienced players Glynn Robinson, Johnny Stevenson and Gareth Bingham through injury. Indeed the teams early season form has been hampered by injury to key players and a series of defeats have resulted. It was the Swifts who took the lead with a strike from Graeme McMullan however by half time Ballynagross were ahead by 2-1.
In the second half the Swifts lifted their game with David Kelly and Greg Allison prominent and they equalised from the penalty spot when Alan Massey was foulded and he gathered himself up to score from the spot.
Both teams chased the winner however the it was Ross ‘Chris ‘ Bingham who won all the plaudits with his superb winning goal which made up for a glaring miss the previous week. This was an excellent performance from the Swifts which must be repeated each week if the team are to challenge for honours. A number of players have broken into the team from the Albion and they are to be commended for their efforts particularly the youngsters. Results elsewhere have meant that they still are in reach of the leaders with only a handful of points separating half a dozen teams.
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