Ballynahinch United Enjoy Away Win Over Donard
7 February 2012 |
Posted by Gilbert Cromie |
NAFL DIVISION 1B
DONARD HOSPITAL 2 BALLYNAHINCH UNITED 4
Ballynahinch UNited continued their roll when they travelled to the Billy Neill Playing Fields in Dondonald last Saturday for this crucial league encounter against Donard Hospital.
The conditions with driving rain made the game quite difficult for players, management teams and the referee not to mention the gallant band of a dozen United supporters, male and female, who endured the conditions to encourage their team on.
The game started out in explosive fashion with United taking the lead in the ninth minute when Alan Patterson fired home from the penalty spot after Alan Dickson was felled in the area.
Two minutes later Donard Hospital were level when some good play on the left wing resulted in a defence splitting pass being converted for the equaliser. In two minutes the home team went 2 – 1 up when the same Donard combination cut through the United defence.
United got into their stride and on 15 minutes Scot Brashaw was upended in the penalty area and Alan Patterson scored his second with another well converted spot kick.
On 20 minutes United went ahead when Gary Walsh floated a right wing cross into the penalty area and Ian McMullan headed the ball over the keeper and into the net.
The game settled down and was quite end to end until the most bizarre incident occurred in the thirty-fifth minute.
Ian McMullan sustained a minor head injury on the edge of the Donard Hospital penalty area and with the ball in the United half it was put out by a team mate so that he could get treatment.
At the resumption of play a Donard player threw the ball to United keeper Brian McMullan who passed the ball to his opposite number in the spirit of sportsmanship however what happened next could be a quiz question for years.
The Donard keeper went to catch the ball and somehow managed to let it squirm out of his grasp to cross the line. ‘Goal’ cried the United players and fans but the referee was in a dilemma principally because of the complaints of the Donard players who justifiably thought their sporting act was about to be punished even though there had been no intent on keeper McMullan’s part.
There followed a long period of discussion which finally ended with the referee giving a drop ball at the point where Brian McMullan had originally kicked the ball back.
The rules of the game do not allow for handing the ball back to the opposition although is a common sporting practice however the reality is that the goal should have stood no matter how wrong it might have seemed.
In the second half United came out of the blocks right from the start forcing a number of corners and going close when Scott McKibbin’s header skipped off the cross bar.
The two Alan’s, Dickson and Patterson, were getting good possession in the centre of the park and it was from one of their passing moves that United got their fourth when JJ Carlisle crossed with precision accuracy for Gareth McMullan to score from the edge of the six yard box.
The United defence of Walsh, Brashaw, David Boal and Adam Herron were rarely troubled in the second half as the Donard challenge evaporated in no small measure due to the dismissal of two players in the 70th and 85th minute.
United should have increased their lead on several occasions but somehow contrived to miss good openings which in the last quarter of the game were brought about by the inclusion of the trio of substitutes in the person of Gareth Bingham, David Kelly and Aaron Cheevers.
This was a good win for United who were missing five regulars in Ross Hayes, Stuart McMullan, Ian Boal, Johnny Hunter and Johnny Stevenson.
It was also a game in which United young guns in Scott KcKibbin, JJ Carlisle and Ian McMullan made significant and telling contributions.
BUFC NOTES
The Swifts home game against Bangor YM 2nds was cancelled due to an unplayable pitch at Millbridge so let’s home there is an improvement for this Saturday when they entertain Saintfield United 2nds.
The Albion had a home game against Ardglass III and they produced an outstanding performance to take a point in a 2 – 2 draw. The goals came from ‘Chip’ Murray and Steven Bridges.
On Saturday past the Last Man Standing fund raiser got underway and looking at the entry sheet it seems that quite a few have fallen by the wayside already so if you were one of them get in touch with Steven or Scotty and buy yourself back in for next week.
This weekend 11th February sees the Youth Section Quiz at Rockmount Golf Club and having failed to make much of an impression at last year’s event the seniors will be more than keen to continue the improvement that was so apparent at the Lions and Club Quizzes before Christmas. If you wish to take part please contact the Chairman or anyone from the Committee.
United’s Coca – Cola sponsored IFA Intermediate Cup exploits continue on Saturday 18th February 2011 at the Millbridge when former Irish Premier League side Newry City are the visitors. The game will kick off at 1.30pm and it is hoped that there will be a good turn out from the local community to cheer the team on and see if they can reach the quarter finals as they did a few years ago.
The previous game against Loughgall was very exciting and hopefully this one will be the same. The club would welcome the assistance any business or individual who would like to sponsor the referee’s fees and expenses or one of the match balls. Anyone wishing to do so should contact the Club Secretary at 07436112954.
