Ballyclare Comrades returned to league action in impressive fashion on Tuesday evening, recording a convincing 3–0 victory over Knockbreda at Dixon Park. The fixture marked the Comrades’ return to league football after several weeks of cup action.

The hosts made the perfect start, taking the lead after just six minutes. Dylan O’Kane found the net with a diving header from a corner taken by Liam Toman to give Ballyclare an early advantage. The Knockbreda goalkeeper may have felt he should have kept it out, having gotten both hands to the ball, and the goal helped settle any early Comrades nerves.

Comrades continued to control proceedings and carried their one-goal lead into the second half. Knockbreda were unable to find a way back into the contest as Ballyclare maintained the pressure, with a few chances creeping wide or the last pass not quite finding the man.

The second goal arrived in the 53rd minute, with Lewis Mearns finishing a well-placed cross from Liam Toman to double the advantage and put the Comrades firmly in command.

Ballyclare continued to press for more and were rewarded again in the 73rd minute, when newly-introduced Nathan Best added a gorgeous third, cutting inside from the right and curling the ball into the top left corner past a rooted Knockbreda goalkeeper. The third goal put the result beyond doubt and helped cap an excellent attacking display.

There was little prospect of a Knockbreda comeback in the closing stages, with Ballyclare seeing out the remainder of the game to secure a deserved 3–0 home victory.

Massive thank you to Metal Technology for sponsoring the Match and Ball for this game.