Day: April 7, 2023

We welcome Annagh United to Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon for our first post-split Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 8^th April – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (OAP & U16) / £3 (U12 in the company of an adult)

Match Sponsor: McConnell’s Bar Doagh

Ball Sponsor: S&J Irvine Funeral Directors

The Opponents

Annagh United enter the post-split period occupying 3^rd position in the Lough 41 Championship. Their poor form in recent weeks continued with defeat to Ballinamallard United in their last game pre-split. A goal in each half helped the Mallards defeat Annagh at the BMG Arena. Mark Stafford opened the scoring with just less than a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock following a bright start to the game that also saw Annagh come close on a couple of occasions. That was how it stayed until seven minutes from the end when Patrick Ferry found the net.

The Comrades

Following Ballinamallard United’s dramatic defeat away to Knockbreda last weekend, the Comrades enter the post-split period occupying 6^th position in the Lough 41 Championship. Newington and Ballyclare Comrades battled to an equal share of the points and goals at Solitude for their last game pre-split. The Swans moved in front after 13 minutes with a confident finish after collecting a pass into the box. Darius Roohi levelled for Ballyclare three minutes from the break with a header from Cillin Gilmour’s cross before, right at the end of the half, Conall McGrandles nodded the visitors in front at the near post after Paul Donnelly had sent over a corner. But it ended honours even when, on 73 minutes, Eamonn Hughes converted from the spot for Newington.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in March, the Comrades defeated Annagh 3-1 at the BMG Arena. Scoreless at the break, Ian Fletcher opened the scoring around the hour mark with a high ball into the box that keeper Ronan Burns dropped into the net. Callum Ferris doubled up soon after with a close range header before Joe Tully steered a volley into the net with just over five minutes remaining. Peter Duffin did pull one back for Annagh after that but it proved to be scant consolation as Ciaran McGurgan’s side fell to a third defeat on the bounce.