Ballynahinch United v Larne And Club Notes

INTERMEDIATE CUP – ROUND 4 BALLYNAHINCH UNITED   1   LARNE FC   3 United’s Intermediate Cup run came to an end on Saturday against a strong Larne FC team managed by former Glentoran manager Paul Millar who also enjoyed a distinguished Irish and Football League playing career. Despite the damp afternoon a large crowd of supporters turned up to cheer on both sides in what was a close encounter which could have went either way until the closing minutes. United enjoyed the best of the first half an hour creating a number of openings with Stuart McMullan heading wide and Alan Patterson’s shot being cleared from the six yard area. In midfield Ian Boal and Michael Mousley were enjoying a fair bit of possession while forwards Roman Gogulev and Gareth McMullan were having a tough tussle against an experienced backline. Larne took the lead after 35 minutes when ex-Linfield striker Davy Larmour broke free of the United defence and while he was well held up by Hayes he some how  managed to poke the ball across the six yard box for Mark Craig slip it into the net. Eight minutes into the second half and the game looked over when Larmour split the United defence with a superb pass that found Adam Dick who shot towards goal only for Brian McMullan to pull off a wonderful save however the rebound fell to the same player and he coolly slotted the ball into the net. The United defence of Walsh, Hayes, Brashaw and Dickson who played well throughout were under a fair bit of pressure during the first quarter of the second half as Larne pressed to put the game out of reach to the home team. Things changed dramatically in the 56th minute when from a corner the experienced Larne keeper David Henry flapped at a cross and Ross Hayes was on hand to shoot home from close range. United were on the up at this stage and pressed forward and almost had an equaliser when Gareth McMullan raced clear only to see his shot go over the cross bar after the ball bobbled on the cut up surface as he went to shoot. United introduced their full compliment of subs of Cree, Ian McMullan and Herron but hard as they tried they could not find an equaliser. The game was up for United ten minutes from the end when Larne were awarded a penalty after their forward Ricky Higgins intelligently cut inside defender Adam Herron in a 50/50 race for the ball. The defender could not avoid a coming together and the forward fell to the ground and Herron was shown a red card. Marc Brown stepped up to dispatch the penalty past McMullan. This was great performance from the home team against a very experienced Larne team. Match Sponsors: BEC Electrical CIVIL SERVICE II’s   2    BALLYNAHINCH UNITED II’s   3 A Sam Annett hat trick saw of a determined challenge from Civil Service at the Maynard Sinclair Playing Fields, Belfast on Saturday past. The visitors took the lead when Annett drove the ball into the net following good work from McConnell and Stevens however the home team scored and missed a penalty in the middle of the half before taking the lead in the 35^th minute. Annett was on the spot again to get the equaliser just before half-time. The Swift’s defence in which Hamilton, Boal and McGreevy excelled stood strong to a big effort from the home side in the second half. Overall the Swifts had that little bit more guile with Bingham, McKibbin and Majury working tirelessly to create scoring chances and their efforts were rewarded when Sam Annett pounced to complete his hat trick and score the winner. BUFC NEWS The Albion after last weeks morale boosting win fell to a disappointing defeat at the hands of a strong Tollymore II’s team at Drumaness. Darren McLearnon was again on the score sheet. Any senior club committee, players or supporters who have not added their name to the list of those going to the QUIZ organised by the Youth Section this Saturday night, 12 February 2011, in Rockmount Golf Club should contact Steven Jess on or before Thursday. The officials, players and supporters of BUFC wish to convey their condolences to the Hamilton and Magowan families on their recent bereavement.]]>