Pre-Match Guide | Queen’s University 11/09/21
We travel to The Dub tomorrow afternoon as we face Queen’s University in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.
Match Info
When: Saturday 11th September – Kick-Off 3:00pm
Where: The Dub
What: Lough 41 Championship
Entry: Pay at the gate (£8 adult / £5 concession)
The Opponents
Queen’s University have had a tough start to the season to date, losing 5 of their opening 6 games with their only victory coming against Dundela. Last week, they played host to top of the league Newry City where The Students were on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline. Newry opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark, the only goal in a close fought first half. And that was how it stayed until a minute into stoppage time when substitute Stephen Lawless bagged Newry’s second to make sure of the points for the visitors. The Comrades can be sure, however, that Queens’ league form doesn’t accurately reflect the quality of their team and Paul Harbinson’s men will need to be on top of their game if they want a result.
The Comrades
Paul Harbinson’s men travel to The Dub following last week’s 2-2 draw with Knockbreda. Liam McKenna continued his excellent form in front of goal as the full-back got both goals in the game, taking his tally to 5 goals in 7 games this season. Newcomer, Ian Fletcher, made his debut for the Comrades as he put in a solid performance at full-back. Speaking on the upcoming game, manager Paul Harbinson said “We are focused entirely on going to Queen’s and trying to improve on our performance. Let’s not talk about results, let’s talk about how our performance needs to improve, our concentration and our basics need to improve. That’s what we will be focused on until the game is over and then we’ll look to the next one.”
Last Time Out
We last faced Queen’s University just over a month ago in the Bet McLean League Cup first round. The Comrades progressed to the next round after defeating Queen’s 2-1. Comrades opened the scoring in the 29th minute. A great ball over the top from Elliot McKim discomforted the Queen’s defence and found Joe Tully. He then managed to slip the ball to Liam McKenna who made space to fire a great finish low into the bottom corner of the net from 7 yards for a goal on his competitive debut for the club. Comrades went in at the break with a narrow advantage, but it was the visitors who began the second half on the front foot. They got their reward with an equaliser in the 53rd minute when Matthew Hughes struck an excellent shot from 25 yards into the net giving Purcell little chance. Three minutes later however Comrades’ lead was restored. Liam McKenna played the ball into the box from a free kick near the by-line. Queen’s couldn’t clear it and it broke to Ciaran Heggarty who thumped his effort into the net from 8 yards for another goal for a club debutant. The final minutes of the match saw the visitors press for an equaliser, but the home defence held out well to seal the victory.
