Ballynahinch blast seven past Saints in derby

16 October 2013

BALLYNAHINCH’S big guns were all back for this derby clash and firing on all cylinders as the home side ran riot, scoring seven goals.

Mark and Gary Graham, Alex Millar and Andrew Mulholland were back for the first time this season and the quartet played key roles in the magnificent seven performance by the home side.

Andy McIlwaine grabbed a hat-trick with Ballynahinch’s other goals coming from Millar, David Bolton, Gary Graham and Jason Campbell.

Saintfield have struggled all season and have yet to record a win, but no one at The Demesne will be pressing the panic button just yet. Saintfield have a strong squad to choose from, but player availability has been an issue all season.

Like Ballynahinch and Down, Saintfield are struggling to field what would be their strongest eleven, but they will be hoping they can turn things around, starting at home to Ballymena this Saturday.

Last weekend against Ballynahinch, the visitors created a number of chances and had their forwards done better when faced with one-on-ones with home ‘keeper, Dave Chadwick, the margin of defeat would not have been as heavy.

Saintfield have a number of experienced players who will steer the side through the current storm, while Ballynahinch will be looking to kick on from what was an impressive performance.

The return of the Graham brothers, alongside Mulholland and Millar, made the difference last weekend when Ashley Brown took over the captaincy in the absence of Leslie Harrison. Brown led by example and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself after a thunderous shot crashed against the crossbar and rebounded out of harm’s way.

Ballynahinch took a while to get into their stride, with the visitors more than holding their own during the first 20 minutes. Once the opening goal came, the floodgates looked to open, but it was the second period before the home side moved into cruise control.

Ballynahinch’s first goal came from open play with Bolton poking the ball past Alastair Patterson in the Saintfield goal. Gary Graham and Stuart Hunter were both involved in the build-up with Bolton picking his spot.

The home side’s second goal came from the penalty spot. A Ballynahinch short corner saw Bolton and Brown create a shooting opportunity for Lawrence Patterson whose goal-bound effort struck a Saintfield defender on the foot. The umpire had no hesitation pointing to the spot and while McIlwaine stepped up, he scuffed his effort which just about managed to cross the line.

Saintfield did impress and created a number of scoring opportunities but they couldn’t find a way past Chadwick and went into the break with nothing to show for their efforts.

Skipper Brown demanded more from his side during the interval and his players responded positively. Campbell scored from play to make it 3-0. Mark Graham started the move in the middle of the park, slipping the ball to Hunter who set up Campbell.

Ballynahinch made it 4-0 midway through the half from a short corner. Patterson’s piledriver was superbly saved by his namesake in the Saintfield goal, but the ball broke to livewire Millar who reacted quickest to tuck the ball home with a neat reverse stick finish.

Ballynahinch made it 5-0 through McIlwaine after the home side caught the visitors on the break. Patterson fed the ball to Brown who drove forward, slipping the ball to McIlwaine who squeezed the ball past Patterson in the Saintfield goal.

The home side’s sixth goal came from the second penalty stroke of the day. This time it was Bolton’s shot which struck an unfortunate Saintfield defender on the goalline. Up stepped McIlwaine to complete his hat-trick, getting a little more purchase on the ball this time.

The seventh goal was a superb team effort, with Gary Graham starting and finishing the move. He exchanged passes with brother Mark who fed Hunter, with the big midfielder powering his way into the penalty area.

His goal-bound shot was deflected into the path of Gary Graham who had continued his run and, from what looked like an impossible angle, drilled the ball into the net off the base of the post.

Ballynahinch 7

Saintfield 0

SENIOR 2

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