Ballynahinch cause major upset in cup

Ballynahinch cause major upset in cup

1 February 2012

BALLYNAHINCH United lifted their game beyond all expectations on Saturday to beat IFA Championship side Loughgall and progress to the 5th round of the Coca Cola Intermediate Cup for the second time in recent years.

The pitch at Millbridge was heavy following a few days rain in the run up to the game, combined with a heavy overnight frost, but a good crowd were entertained to a thrilling match which was on a knife edge to the end.

The opening half hour was quite even with United a constant threat on the left wing and it was they who created the best of the early chances when Ian McMullan pulled his shot wide from ten yards after good work by Stuart McMullan and Adam Herron.

The game really exploded as half-time approached when United opened the scoring after good work by Gareth McMullan forced a corner. From the resulting kick Gary Walsh (inset) saw his header brilliantly cleared off the line, but the ball to Ross Hayes who crashed the ball into the net past ‘keeper Robinson.

Minutes later and it was 2-0 when Alan Patterson intercepted a loose ball in midfield to send a pass to Johnny Hunter on the left wing. He fired over a superb cross to Ian McMullan who was left unmarked on the left hand side of the penalty area.

The young striker controlled the ball before shooting past the Loughgall ‘keeper to send the home crowd into a frenzy of excitement.

The home fans could not believe what was happening and probably neither could the players because their concentration levels ped enough to let Loughgall midfielder Hawthorne weave his way into the penalty area to fire a crisp low shot past Brian McMullan.

It would be fair to say that the loss of this late goal caused much concern amongst the United faithful and throughout the second half the visitors dominance grew, but United’s back line of Gary Walsh, Ross Hayes, Scot Brashaw and Adam Herron defended heroically giving great cover to Brian McMullan, who pulled off a number of excellent saves, the best of which were a shot from Ferguson and a header from Keenan who rose to meet a great cross from former United player Greg Hall.

All over the pitch the United players worked their socks off with the midfield four of Stuart McMullan, Scott McKibbin, Johnny Hunter and Alan Patterson covering every blade of grass while up front Gareth McMullan and cousin Ian were a constant threat on the breakaway as Loughgall threw caution to the wind in search of an equaliser.

Substitutes Gareth Bingham and J. J. Carlisle were introduced in the closing quarter and their fresh legs played their part in frustrating Loughgall’s efforts.

In the 80th minute it looked as if the equaliser had come when an unmarked Stephen Doyle missed an absolute sitter when he hit the outside of the post from about eight yards with an empty net in front of him.

The game went into injury time and the tension was unbelievable as Loughgall were now camped in the United half. There would be one more scare for United when Malone went down theatrically in the area for what many thought was a genuine penalty shout, but the referee, who was very good throughout, waved the claims away and moments later United’s perfect day was confirmed when he blew the final whistle.