Comrades had to be content with a point against Newington in front of a good Boxing Day crowd at Dixon Park.

After an even start to the game, Comrades had the first chance on 14 minutes when Michael Morgan robbed an opponent just inside the box and fired a shot just wide.

Three minutes later, the hosts opened the scoring. A great flick on by Lee McGreevy opened the Newington defence and set Michael Morgan free into the box from where he slotted the ball past the advancing ‘keeper and into the net. In the 22^nd minute Comrades came close to a second goal, when Brian Healy was tackled as he ran across the edge of the box and the ball broke to Michael Morgan, but he was denied by a good block from ‘keeper Smyth.

As the first half progressed the visitors became increasingly threatening, exposing Comrades with attacks up the left flank in particular. On 32 minutes they had a terrific opportunity to equalise as a ball fed into the box found Stuart free. However, he was denied by a superb save by Gerard Walker. Stuart then got his head to a corner in the 35^th minute, with his effort looping onto the top of the bar.

The hosts steadied themselves in the closing minutes of the half but went in at the break with issues to address.

Three minutes after the restart the visitors had a massive chance to level the scores. A mix up in the Comrades defence allowed Downey in, but with only the ‘keeper to beat he dragged his shot wide of the target. Newington continued to threaten. On 59 minutes Gerard Walker had to be alert to make a smart save from a Storey free kick struck from 20 yards out.

The hosts strove to add to their lead. In the 63^rd minute Liam Hassin did well up the left before releasing Ronan McAleer to run into the box from where he pulled the ball back to Brian Healy in a good position. However, his effort was blocked by a defender. Healy then had an effort on goal on 69 minutes when the ball broke to him after good work by Michael Morgan, however, his low shot from the edge of the box was gathered inside the post by Smyth.

The visitors remained a growing threat and on 77 minutes they got a deserved leveller. A ball played in from the right was met by a first-time effort from O’Boyle which flew into the net, giving Walker no chance.

With 10 minutes of normal time to go tensions boiled over with a melee in front of the Comrades dugout involving numerous players and coaching staff from both sides. The outcome was red cards for Comrades assistant manager Chris Ramsey and goalkeeping coach Gerard McVeigh, as well as the Newington assistant manager.

After this neither side was able to build any real momentum. The only real threat came in the 84^th minute when Darius Roohi and Michael Morgan linked up with a swift raid forward, but Roohi was denied by Smyth who was quickly off his line to make a block.

The final whistle brought a point for both sides and thankfully the raised tensions late in the game were not reflected in the post-match scenes.

Many thanks to the match sponsor for the game, Big Stand Loyal, and to the ball sponsor, Trade Bathrooms NI.