Sat 13 Aug - 15:00 | Dixon Park

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Ballyclare Comrades

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Ballinamallard United

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Sat 13 Aug - 15:00 | Dixon Park

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Ballyclare Comrades

Ballinamallard United

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BALL SPONSOR

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Pre-Match Guide

After 4 months of excitement and anticipation, we finally return to Lough 41 Championship action when we kick off the campaign at Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon against Ballinamallard United.

Match Info

When: Saturday 13th August – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (Concession)

Match Sponsor: Fleming & Cuthbert

Ball Sponsor: Arlene’s Hair & Beauty

The Opponents

The Mallards narrowly missed out on a promotion play-off last season when they finished third in the 21/22 Lough 41 Championship. Harry McConkey’s side will be looking to build on last season’s momentum with 3 points on the opening day.

The Comrades

The Comrades have seen 14 new faces arrive at Dixon Park over the summer. After 10 pre-season friendlies (6 against Premiership opponents) and 16 goals scored, all eyes will be on this Saturday’s opening fixture against Ballinamallard United. Having beaten the Mallards 5-1 in last season’s opening fixture, Stephen Small will be looking for a similar outcome with his new squad.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in January 2022 saw us share the spoils at Dixon Park in a game which saw the lead change twice. After a number of half chances at either end it fell to the home side to move in front on 37 minutes when Jason Johnston headed home after Kyle Beggs had delivered the ball into the box. It was an advantage the Comrades held until a couple of minutes into the second half when Callum Moorehead nodded past Richard Purcell to level matters. Then, on 64 minutes, Sean McEvoy edged the visitors into the lead with a well executed free-kick from around 30 yards low into the bottom corner. However, it again proved to be a short lived period on top after Andrew Mooney equalised for the Comrades with a left-foot strike from just inside the box after Caiolan Brennan had slipped him through on the left.

Teams

Match Report

Comrades and Mallards fought out an entertaining scoreless draw on the opening day of the season at swelteringly hot Dixon Park.

The visitors started the brighter and dominated the opening quarter of an hour. On 5 minutes Banda got into the box on the left and fired a shot just over from 15 yards. Then in the 10th minute a ball played into the near post area was met by a deft flick from Edgar which forced a save from the well positioned Richard Purcell.

Two minutes later Mallards had another effort on target when a cross played in from the by-line was met by a header from 6 yards from McIlwaine, but again Purcell was in the right place to make the save.

On 15 minutes Mallards were awarded a penalty when Cónall McGrandles was adjudged to have brought down Banda inside the box. Banda then stepped up to take the spot-kick, but his effort rebounded off the bar.

From this point on Comrades began to get a foothold in the game and they were the ones who created the chances in the rest of the half. In the 18th minute they had their first chance when Caomhan McGuinness crossed to the back post area where Cathal Farren blasted a rising effort over the bar from 9 yards.

In the 31st minute a long pass played forward by Ian Fletcher allowed Calvin McCurry to get to the ball ahead of Stafford just outside the box, but his resulting attempt to knock the ball over the ‘keeper was blocked by Lynch who stayed big.

A minute later a great ball played in from the left by Ian Fletcher was met first-time by Calvin McCurry 7 yards out, but his effort arced just wide of the target.

On 36 minutes Comrades had a big shout for a penalty turned down when McCurry appeared to be clipped by a defender on the right side of the box.

In the third minute of first half injury-time Cathal Farren played a free-kick to the far post where Caomhan McGuinness volleyed over from 6 yards.

The second half was an evenly fought affair with both teams working hard in the hot conditions.

In the 56th minute Darius Roohi did very well to get into a good shooting position inside the box after leaving three opponents in his wake, but his resulting effort was too weak to trouble Lynch.

Mallards then had a chance when on 58 minutes McIlwaine cut in from the left and shot from 10 yards forcing Richard Purcell to gather at the near post.

The Comrades ‘keeper had to be alert again in the 64th minute when Campbell fired in a shot from 12 yards through a crowded box, but Purcell denied him with a good save.

The hosts threatened on 67 minutes when Darius Roohi played Calvin McCurry in on the right side of the box, but his effort from 9 yards was blocked ‘keeper Lynch’s leg.

The best chance of the latter part of the game fell to the visitors in the 82nd minute when a long throw into the box was headed on to Banda who shot over from 6 yards.

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