Comrades fell to a disappointing defeat to Dollingstown as their recent poor run of form continued.

The visitors started on the front foot, but the first real chance of the game fell to the hosts on nine minutes when Lewis Mearns crossed the ball to the far post where it was taken down by Daniel Gordon before he shot towards near post. His effort was blocked by keeper Buchanan and then a follow-up attempt from a tight angle was snuffed out by defender.

The game became evenly balanced however Comrades created an opportunity in the 18th minute. Good work on the right from Barry McKervey ended with him playing the ball to Liam Toman arriving in the box, but he scooped his effort over the bar.

Then, on 22 minutes, David Taylor tested the visiting keeper with a shot from 16 yards after he had picked up on a rare mistake in the Dollingstown defence.

The home side appeared to be moving into the ascendency at this stage, but an error at the back in the 25th minute gifted their opponents the lead. Elliot McKim was robbed by the Dollingstown Daniel Gordon who advanced to shoot past the keeper having evaded a desperate attempt at a saving tackle from Bobby Higgins.

The visitors came close to adding a second goal on 40 minutes when McCavitt’s deflected shot from just outside the box struck the post.

Three minute later Dollingstown came threatened again as the ball was worked to find Eakin in space on the left side of the box, but he lashed his effort into the side netting.

Comrades made a lively start to the second half, but the first chance after the restart fell to Dollingstown on 49 minutes as they launched a swift counterattack which ended with Gordon flashing the ball just wide of the far post.

Within a minute Gordon doubled the visiting team’s lead as he jinked past a ponderous home defence before neatly finishing from inside the area.

Comrades struggled to mount a comeback, finding it hard to get past a hard-working Dollingstown defence. However, they did fashion a chance in the 63rd minute. Good skill on the by-line from Lewis Mearns left an opponent in his wake and he cut the ball back to substitute Zach Anderson in a good position, but his resulting effort was kept out by a superb block from a defender.

This was as close the hosts were to come in a disappointing second half performance. Dollingstown looked more likely to add to their lead in the latter stages of the match.

On 68 minutes Lewis Deane had to scramble across his goal to keep out a dipping free kick struck from 30 yards by McCavitt. Then, a minute later, Ewart was able to waltz into the box far too easily before striking a shot into the side netting.

In the 84th minute Ewart had another chance when he shot just wide of the post after a quick break up field.

At the final whistle, the visitors celebrated a deserved win, as Comrades hadn’t done enough to get anything from the game.

Many thanks to Match Sponsor, Ian Fleck Signs and to Ball Sponsor, Johnny White’s Chip Shop.

Match Photos: Comrades V Dollingstown by ShotByMicah