Ballynahinch’s spirit on show

Ballynahinch’s spirit on show

28 March 2012

BALLYNAHINCH United entertained Lisburn Rangers in the second instalment of back-to-back fixtures.

The hosts had lost the previous week at Lisburn and a decent crowd turned up in ideal weather conditions , even though the firm pitch made ball control quite difficult at times, despite the surface having been rolled.

United started without regular Stuart McMullan due to illness. Aaron Cheevers, who has made a few appearances this season, was brought into the team and he did not disappoint making a number of incisive runs in support of Ian McMullan.

Obviously both teams had learned quite a lot from each other the previous week so there was very little by way of penalty area action in the first half.

Lisburn Rangers took the lead on 35 minutes when a free kick was floated into the penalty box and an attacker managed to get his head to it and diverted it past Brian McMullan.

In the second half United increased the tempo of their game, particularly through the probing runs of Scott McKibbin and Alan Dickson, and they were level on the hour mark when Alan Patterson scored.

The goal came following a period of sustained pressure from United. JJ Carlisle floated a cross into the penalty area which the Lisburn keeper managed to claw away from under the cross bar. The ball fell to Johnny Hunter near the byline and he headed the ball back to Patterson, who was well placed to guide the ball into the net.

From the kick off United were very fortunate not to go behind when some slack defending allowed a Lisburn forward to get on to the end of a centre. However, he only managed to steer the ball on to the cross bar for David Boal to clear.

In the 65th minute United had a clear call for a penalty when Adam Herron was felled in the penalty area as he went to shoot, but the referee did not share the opinions of the home players and supporters.

United pushed hard for a winner, forcing a number of corners from which Ross Hayes was always a threat, while Scot Brashaw became more prominent with his forays through midfield but they just could not create the goal scoring opportunity they needed.

As the game was well into injury time United almost scored in what would have been the most bizarre of fashions.

Ian McMullan who never gives up ran onto a long clearance from Brian McMullan. The ball bounced over his head but was accidentally diverted by his arm, which the referee did not spot,  as he jumped  the ball went into the side netting.

This week United have no game. They return to action away to Rathfern Rangers the following Saturday.

Ballynahinch United 1

Lisburn Rangers 1

Amateur League Division 1B