Swail swoops late to give Strangford share of the spoils

Swail swoops late to give Strangford share of the spoils

4 November 2015

THERE were no tricks or treats on offer for Strangford after they could only scramble a draw at home to a compact Ballyvea second team string on Saturday.

John Beattie’s side had to come from behind on three separate occasions to ensure a point and keep Strangford in touching distance of leaders Carryduff Athletic and Ballynagross seconds.

Strangford made a ghoulish start and were a goal down after just three minutes when Robert Stevenson was given the freedom of the box and left totally unmarked before drilling the ball past Louis McMullan. 

Five minutes later, Eoin Curran was out of luck when he got on the end of a cross from Ciaran Sloan, but his powerful header crashed against the woodwork and flew to safety.

With nine minutes gone Strangford were denied what appeared to be a stonewall penalty when Curran was brought down twice by Ballyvea’ keeper Andrew Burden, but the referee waved play on.

Strangford’s pressure finally paid off in the 20th minute when Conan Hynds was on hand to drill the ball home after Curran’s initial shot had been well saved by Burden.

Ballyvea continued to threaten on the break and with 26 minutes gone McMullan saved well to deny Stevenson before the Strangford defence decided to hand out early Christmas presents when an unmarked David Heaney converted a long throw.

Strangford went back on the offensive with manager Beattie’s words ringing in their ears.

With 36 minutes gone Conan Hynds cushioned a header into the path of Curran and the lightning quick danger man sped away before making it 2-2 with a classy finish.

Curran and Hynds were denied by Burden as the half drew to a close. At the other end McMullan stood firm when Stevenson threatened yet again. 

The second half wasn’t just as open as Ballyvea defended even deeper and Strangford had to take measures to curtail the visitors’ threat on the counter-attack.

The half opened with Ballyvea looking to go back in front and it took a last gasp tackle from Donnan Ritche to avert the danger.

The game became a bit bogged down with both sides concentrating on the midfield battle and only with the odd foray from Ritchie down the right flank did we see any width added to the play. 

In fact, Strangford only ever looked dangerous when they ran at Ballyvea and committed defenders to the tackle, but that just didn’t happen often enough. 

However, with 70 minutes gone Curran had an effort cleared off the line by Mark Haugh before Ballyvea took a 3-2 lead when a wicked cross from Heaney hit Thomas Brady on the shoulder and flew past McMullan from close in.

Strangford had it all to do, but with Ritchie and Sloan getting through a mountain of work an equaliser was always on the cards.

With time running out Russell Swail was in the right place at the tight time to crash in a late leveller.

Strangford: L McMullan, J Hanna, L Reilly, N Hynds, D Fleming, C Sloan, D Ritchie, C Hynds, S Savage,H Siguero E Curran. Subs: J Hanvey, C Magee, P Hynds.

Ballyvea II: A Burden, M Haugh, P Chambers, G Bennett, G Cartmill, R Haugh, W Glenny, T Brady, R Stevenson, D Heaney. Subs: G McKibbin, A Morris, P Sharp.