BALLYNAHINCH UNITED FC Â 1 Â WELLINGTON RECREATION 1
United got their 2014/15 season underway with a nail biting 1 – 1 draw at the Millbridge writes Gilbert Cromie.
It was nail biting purely from the perspective that the team and their supporters had to wait until the 92nd minute for their equaliser as the visitors had taken the lead in the 75th minute against the run of play.
United began the day quite purposeful with Gavin Crawford and Stuart McMullan in attacking roles with Craig Bowman, Dalton Tate, David Kelly, Paul Dickson and Adam Herron working tirelessly in midfield. Scoring opportunities proved rare but Paul Dickson went close on a couple of occasion almost flicking the ball into the next from a Tate free kick and then driving a shot narrowly wide just before half time.
The second half was pretty much played out in the centre of the field with very few scoring opportunities however Wellington Recreation who had a few experienced campaigners in their ranks took the lead when a United attack broke up and the ball found their right winger. He passed it into the path of their centre forward who seemed to take the ball to close to the bye line however he managed to squeeze the ball into the net passed a surprised Brian McMullan.
Scot Brashaw moved into central midfield and with JJ Carlisle, Gareth McMullan and Aaron McCaffrey introduced into the fray United pressed for the equaliser. This left United a little vulnerable at the back and Brian McMullan had to come to the teams rescue with a fine save.
As the game went into injury time and the referee’s book was filling up with the names of Wellington players generally for time wasting and kicking the ball away tactics United won a corner. Up came keeper Brian McMullan and as the ball was floated into the area it was headed downward and McCaffrey got a touch to send the ball into the net. Moments later the same player almost gave United all three points when David Kelly sent him free on goal but his low shot was cleared by the Wellington keeper.
At the end of the day neither team really deserved all three points so a share of the spoils was about right. The two teams meet again next Saturday in Larne.
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