United fall to leaders

United fall to leaders

14 December 2011

BALLYNAHINCH United entertained league leaders Sirocco Works at Millbridge on Saturday, but fell to a narrow defeat.

Sirocco, who are unbeaten in the league after 11 games, are managed by Tommy Kincaid, the former manager of Ards FC and his side is filled with experience throughout.

There was no doubt that United would have their hands full and this proved to be the case, but the local supporters filed away from the game knowing that their side had done more than enough to deserve a share of the spoils.

The visitors started at a brisk pace in the opening quarter of the game, but the United defence of Carlisle, Hayes, Scott Brashaw (inset) and Walsh were dealing comfortably with Sirocco’s attacks and it was the home team who picked up a head of steam.

In a series of attacks they hit the crossbar from a Johnny Hunter shot while Ian McMullan had a shot go narrowly wide.

Just as the home team seemed to be getting a grip on the game, Sirocco broke clear on the left wing and quick as a flash the ball was played onto the edge of the United penalty area for a midfielder to lash the ball past Brian McMullan who had no chance.

United’s midfield of Dickson, Patterson, Hunter and Herron worked tirelessly to get the team back into the game and during the remainder of the first half they pressed for an equaliser and how they didn’t get one is almost beyond belief.

Ian McMullan saw a brilliant first time shot from 20 yards out tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Burns when he looked for all the world to have been beaten.

Alan Patterson was most unfortunate not to score on the half hour mark when Adam Herron’s right wing cross came through a ruck of players onto the six yard area, but he was unable to make contact with the ball.

A Sirocco player was injured in a midfield scramble on 35 minutes and had to leave the field. He subsequently had to be conveyed to hospital after attention in the changing room by paramedics.

The second half was a mirror of the first with Sirocco scoring after 60 minutes 2-0, again from a breakaway after United had committed numbers into attacking situations.

The home side did get on the score sheet when Stevenson scored from the penalty spot after 70 minutes when livewire Ian McMullan was upended.

In other attacking situations good work by Hamilton and Boal gave Scott McKibbin a shooting opportunity, but he saw his shot deflected wide off a defender’s knee with the ‘keeper well beaten.

While the result was obviously disappointing, the effort from the players in this match and the previous weeks has been outstanding and as long as this is maintained results will come.

This week United travel to play Bryansburn Rangers in a league fixture.

Ballynahinch United 1

Sirocco Works 2

AMATEUR LEAGUE DIVISION 1B