Author: Paul Jenkins

After their run of victories ended at Clandeboye Road against Bangor in their previous match, Comrades returned to winning ways against Ards at the same venue.

The hosts started strongly. Inside two minutes they had a great chance to take the lead when Newell latched onto a short back pass, but Gerard Walker was alert, advancing from his line to make a vital block as the striker shot. Two minutes later the same player was denied again when he got on the end of a dangerous ball played into the box by Scannell, but this time Owen McConville was able to get in the way of Newell’s goal bound effort on the line and Comrades managed to scramble it clear.

With their first real attack in the eight minute the visitors then hit the front against the run of play. The goal was very well worked, with Brian Healy sliding a superb pass across to Michael Morgan which provided him with the opportunity to step past an opponent and curl a low shot past the ‘keeper and inside the far post from the edge of the area.

On 11 minutes a buoyant Comrades threatened a second goal. The dynamic Liam Hassin won the ball deep in Ards territory and then a played one two with Michael Morgan which allowed his to advance into the box, but stretching to get a shot away he found the side-netting. A minute later Ards had a good opportunity to get a quick equaliser. Newell got on the end of a cross played into the box, but from a great position he headed over the bar.

In the 17^th minute the visitors stunned their opponents with a second goal. Good pressing saw the ball turned over in the Ards half from where it was played to Marcus Murphy inside the box. He then had the composure to square the ball across the goal to where Brian Healy was waiting to fire home from five yards out.

Ten minutes later the hosts reduced the deficit. Comrades conceded a free kick just outside the box as Newell surged up the right and was brought down by Lee McCune. Maxwell stepped up to take the set-piece and drove the ball hard and low on goal. Gerard Walker was able to block the effort, but the ball rebounded out kindly to Steele who slotted it in from close range.

Ards now pressed for a leveller. They had a good chance in the 38^th minute when a corner played to the back post found the head of Hunter, but he hit the side-netting.

A minute passed and Stephen Small’s men restored a two-goal advantage. Liam Hassin again won the ball in a dangerous area and surged into the box before playing it low across the six-yard box where Healy was once more the man on the spot to finish from close range.

Three minutes into stoppage time at the end of the first half Comrades were grateful to their ‘keeper for preserving their two-goal lead. Maxwell struck a superb free kick from 25 yards which looked bound for the top corner, but Gerard Walker produced a top class save to turn the ball over.

The start of the second half saw Ards press strongly, with Comrades having to defend resolutely including against a series of corners. A combination of good defending from the visitors and poor decision making by the home side meant that the score stayed the same.

Gradually then Comrades began to be able to venture forward again. On 67 minutes Brian Healy, with no other options available to him, tried a trademark spectacular long-range effort from the centre-circle, but this time the ball went just over the bar with the ‘keeper struggling.

Then, in the 69^th minute, the visitors really should have put the result beyond doubt. A quick break forward saw substitute Caolán Donnelly outstrip the home defence and get into the box, where instead of shooting he chose to pass the ball across the box to Brian Healy who was completely unmarked. However, the hat-trick seeking striker took his eye off the ball and allowed it to slip under his foot and the chance was gone.

On 72 minutes Ards came close to getting a goal back. A corner was met by the head of McCart and his effort deflected off a defender and onto the bar.

Comrades had another chance to seal the result in the 78^th minute when a lovely flick from Michael Morgan set Brian Healy free of the Ards defence, but ‘keeper Matthews was able to block his resulting effort at the near post.

Ards fluffed a chance to make it a nervous finish to the game for Comrades when they spurned a big chance on 87 minutes. A free kick was launched into the box, finding Maxwell free five yards from goal, but he blasted his first-time shot over the bar.

This was the last threat from the home side and Comrades were able to see out the remaining minutes sedately to secure the three points.

Comrades secured their third win on the trot as they continued to climb the Championship table with a win at Dixon Park against Newry City.

After a quiet start to the game, it was Newry who created the first chance. It came on 13 minutes when a swift attack up the right side ended with a low ball being played into the box to McNickle. He shot on target from a central position only to be denied by a super save from Gerard Walker who turned the ball wide of the post.

There was little more in the way of goalmouth action until the 25^th minute when a deep cross into the box by the visitors was met by an overhead kick from Ball, but his effort went wide of the goal.

Comrades had been struggling to get into the game and Newry had looked the more likely side to make the breakthrough. However, that changed on 33 minutes with the hosts taking the lead. Michael Morgan slid a quality through ball perfectly into the run of Darius Roohi which beat the offside trap, allowing him to run free of the Newry defence. Mitchell came out of his goal to force Roohi wide, but the striker still had the composure to strike the ball into the net from six yards out.

Comrades’ confidence grew with this goal, and they looked the more threatening side for the rest of the first half. They were able to double their lead before the break when in the 43^rd minute a free kick whipped in dangerously from just outside the corner of the box by Caolán Donnelly was met by the slightest touch from Darius Roohi, which sent the ball inside the post past the helpless ‘keeper. A lot of the crowd thought the ball had gone straight in from the free kick but with his touch the goal was rightly accredited to Roohi.

The second half began in great fashion for the hosts, as within three minutes of the restart they had another goal. Michael Morgan was again the provider. This time he left an opponent for dead on the right wing and advanced to the by-line before cutting the ball back across the box, avoiding defenders and finding Liam Hassin who was able to take a touch before finishing into the unguarded net at the back post.

This should have put the result beyond doubt, but Newry quickly came back with a goal to reduce the deficit when on 51 minutes Carroll powered home a header from a McCaffrey cross.

The visitors now had hope and produced a dangerous spell of attacking. They came close on a couple of occasions during this period to pulling another goal back. In the 57^th minute a teasing corner whipped across the six-yard box eluded the touch of Newry players until it reached the back post where O’Brien got to it, but he had run out of room to get an effort on goal. Then, three minutes later, a great ball played across the box by Forde once again somehow wasn’t met with a finishing touch.

At this stage it looked as if Comrades might need a fourth goal to secure the win and they had a great opportunity to get this on 65 minutes. Michael Morgan, having a superb game, stole the ball from an opponent just inside the Newry half and ran forward, outmuscling a defender, to get into the box where he was brought down for a clear penalty. The referee pointed to the spot and Darius Roohi stepped up to take it. However, he was denied a hat-trick as Mitchell got down well to save inside the post.

The game now flowed from end to end as the weather deteriorated, and heavy rain began to fall. In the 70^thminute the hosts came close when Caolán Donnelly did well to make space for a shot from 20 yards, but his curling effort went narrowly over the angle of bar and post.

Then, on 72 minutes, there was a let off for the home side as Salley saw his seemingly goal-bound shot from inside a packed box hit his strike partner McNickle and rebound out to safety.

As the game entered its latter stages Comrades began to assert some control and Newry’s attacking threat started to fizzle out. Indeed, Stephen Small’s men looked like they could put the result to bed with a further goal. They came close on 73 minutes when the outstanding Michael Morgan beautifully controlled a high ball as it dropped just inside the Newry half, before striding forward, shrugging off a challenge and getting in a well-struck shot from inside the box which ‘keeper Mitchell did well to block.

Newry put a final spell of attacks together in the final minutes of the match. However, the Comrades defence held firm to secure the three points.

Many thanks to the match sponsor for this game, Richard Greer Car and to the ball sponsor, Red Mills Dogs Food supplied by Ballyclare Fuels.

Comrades ended a run of three league defeats, producing a well-organised performance on the road to defeat in-form Limavady.

The visitors started brightly. Three minutes in they created a chance when a short corner routine saw Darius Roohi play a dangerous ball into the area where a scramble ensued, ending with Owen McConville seeing an effort gathered by the ‘keeper. At the other end on six minutes Limavady tested Gerard Walker from a corner, when the ball played to the near post was glanced on target off the head of Matthew Walker. However, the Comrades ‘keeper was able to save low on his line.

A minute later Comrades hit the front. A high ball played forward by Ronan McAleer proved awkward for the home defence. Brian Healy got onto it by outmuscling a defender and advanced into the box where he calmly stroked the ball past the advancing ‘keeper.

With a keen wind behind them and seeking a quick equaliser Limavady began to press the visitors back into their own half. However, Comrades were defending well to minimise the threat. The closest the hosts came during this period was on 19 minutes when a ball played over the top allowed McCready to muscle his way past Owen McConville and get into the six-yard box, but his resulting effort from a tight angle was blocked at the near post by Gerard Walker.

The visitors rode the storm of the dominant Limavady spell with well-marshalled defending. Towards the latter part of the half, they began to come back into the game themselves in an attacking sense. In the 34^th minute a free kick whipped to the far post was met by the stretching boot of Ronan McAleer, but running out of room at the byline his effort hit the side-netting. On 40 minutes the hosts came close to levelling the scores. They won a free kick 25 yards out which Lowry stepped up to take, seeing his wind driven effort coming back off the bar with the ‘keeper beaten.

The second half started with play evenly balanced and defences on top. The first threat after the break came in the 58^th minute when Ronan McAleer had to make a superb block to prevent the ball entering the net after a scramble in front of goal. A minute passed and Limavady won a free kick 30 yards from goal. However, from this promising position the experienced Lowry managed to get himself a straight red card after an off the ball incident involving Brian Healy.

Comrades were now in a strong position, with a one-man advantage. In the 64^th minute Darius Roohi received the ball inside the area and took on his marker to get in a strong shot which ‘keeper Gallagher had to tip over the bar. Two minutes later, with the home defence stretched, Roohi again had an effort when he shot from 20 yards, but Gallagher was well-placed to save. The visitors were well in control at this stage but found it difficult to create the chance which would allow them to kill off the game.

As the minutes ticked by the hosts started to come back into the game and push forward for an equaliser, but they found the Comrades defence in top form and couldn’t come close to testing Gerard Walker. The Comrades ‘keeper did make a superb save on 78 minutes, but the effort was from an offside position so would not have counted in any case.

The travelling supporters faced a nervous wait for the final whistle but when it came, they gave their team a rousing reception after a fine performance.

Comrades produced a very underpower performance as they ended up well beaten by Dundela.

The visitors started better, making life difficult for the hosts with a number of dangerous crosses played into the box. From one of these Smith headed just wide on five minutes.

Comrades then began to settle into the game with some enterprising attacking play. In the 15th minute Brian Healy had a chance when he received the ball 10 yards from goal after being found by Michael Morgan who had done very well on the byline. Healy’s effort was however blocked by a defender.

Dundela still looked the more likely side to break the deadlock. On 21 minutes, Patton curled an effort just wide of the target. Then, two minutes later, Liam Hassin had to stretch to make a vital block as the ball was played across the goal. The visitors had another effort on 24 minutes. This time, Adam Ritchie had to be well placed to save from a Dornan overhead kick.

In the 34th minute, Dundela took the lead. A high ball pumped into the box was met by McLellan who outmuscled his marker to head into the bottom corner of the net.

The home side then shot themselves in the foot to gift their opponents a second goal on 39 minutes. Keeper Adam Ritchie attempted to play the ball out to a teammate but gave it straight to Fletcher, who rifled it back into the net from the edge of the area.

The second half was something of a non-event in terms of an attempt at a comeback from Comrades. On 49 minutes Marcus Murphy curled an effort just over after good work from Caolan Donnelly. However, there was to be little other threat from the home side as Dundela kept them at bay with relative ease.

The best the men in red could muster after that was a good turn and shot from Michael Leetch at the edge of the box in the 74th minutes. with the ball going just wide of the far post.

The visitors secured the three points with a third goal on 80 minutes, with Prendergast converting from a ball played to the far post.

Comrades were now a well beaten side, and the final whistle came as a relief to the disappointed home supporters.

Many thanks to match sponsor for this game Ballyclare Soccersixes and to ball sponsor GM Exterior Cleaning.

Comrades exited the League Cup but put up a spirited display against Crusaders.

The hosts started confidently, looking sharp going forward. After an even opening spell, it was they who created the first real threat on goal. In the 12th minute Michael Morgan drove forward and then released Brian Healy who cut into the left side of the box before releasing a low shot which ‘keeper Tuffey was well positioned to save. Two minutes later the same players linked up again. This time, after a mazy run, Healy found Morgan in the box, but his resulting effort from 8 yards was deflected wide off a defender. The hosts were on top at this stage. On 18 minutes Lewis Tennant fed Caolán Donnelly who had surged up the right side and he fizzed a 20-yard effort just wide of the far post.

The men in red got their reward for a fine start to the game with the opening goal in the 21^st minute. Michael Morgan whipped in a corner which found the head of Cillin Gilmour who had peeled off his marker to make space. He met the ball perfectly to loop it into the net past the stranded ‘keeper.

Unfortunately for the hosts their defensive frailties came to the fore again in the rest of the first half. On 23 minutes they allowed Crusaders to equalise. A high ball eluded Corrie Burns allowing Franklin in behind where he played the ball across the front of goal for Nixon to finish from close range. In the 37^th minute the visitors created a chance for Teelan whose shot from inside the box was well saved by Gerard Walker. However, the ‘keeper was stranded two minutes later when a miscommunication saw Liam Hassin’s back pass roll into the back of the empty net.

There was more misery for Comrades before the break when they conceded a third goal. Again, it was given up far too easily to the opposition when a simple ball found a big gap in the home defence, finding Franklin who made no mistake with a well-struck shot from just inside the box.

Comrades came out after the restart in positive mood. They were unlucky not to pull a goal back five minutes into the second when Michael Morgan, after beating three opponents, unleashed a shot from 20 yards which struck the underside of the bar. Unfortunately for him the ball bounced down in front of the goal-line. The home side were looking more solid at the back, making several good blocks to deny Crusaders. Meanwhile at the other end of the pitch they maintained a real treat. In the 65^th minute Tuffey had to be alert to block a shot struck to the near post by Darius Roohi. Then, on 68 minutes, Marcus Murphy was played through but shot wide when well placed.

The hosts continued to press. A good move ended with Michael Morgan getting in a shot from the left side of the box which was deflected just wide by a defender. From the resulting corner Comrades deservedly pulled a goal back in the 71^st minute. Once again it was a Michael Morgan corner and a header from Cillin Gilmour which breached the Crusaders defence, with Gilmour again eluding his marker to find the back of the net.

The visitors had a good chance to restore a two-goal advantage on 75 minutes, but Stewart scuffed his effort when in a good position. The hosts sensed a chance to get back on level terms and take the game to extra-time. On 84 minutes Michael Morgan did brilliantly to get to the byline inside the box and then play a great ball across the goal which Darius Roohi was inches away from converting.

Four minutes into added time an equaliser, which the hosts would have deserved, almost came. Brian Healy played a dangerous cross into the box which proved very awkward to defend, leading to Teelan sending the ball against his own crossbar. Frustrating for the hosts they couldn’t find the leveller, but they can be satisfied with how they pushed their opponents all the way in the second half.

Many thanks to match sponsor for this game Simpson Developments and to ball sponsor Paddy Kelly.

Match photos by Paul Harvey

Comrades lost out by the odd goal in five in an entertaining, topsy-turvy match at Dixon Park.

The hosts recurring problem of conceding early goals continued as they fell behind inside seven minutes. Bangor attacked up the left exposing the Comrades defence, and the ball was played into the box by Stephen McGuinness, finding Ferguson who had the relatively easy task of finishing from close range. A minute later, Stephen Small’s side produced a good move which ended with Darius Roohi getting in a shot from inside the box, but his effort was deflected wide by a defender’s block. On 11 minutes home ‘keeper Gerard Walker was called into action as he had to push a well-struck Stephen McGuinness effort from 25 yards wide of the post.

The hosts had reacted well to going behind. On 16 minutes they got their reward with an equaliser. Sharp play saw the ball won near halfway and played through to the run of Michael Morgan who got behind the Bangor defence. He entered the box and squared unselfishly to Darius Roohi who make no mistake with a finish from eight yards. The home side continued to impress going forward. In the 29^th minute they created a good opportunity to take the lead when Marcus Murphy teed up Michael Morgan in the middle of the box, but he saw his resulting effort kept out by a fine block from ‘keeper Taylor. Five minutes later, another great chance wasn’t taken by Comrades. Cillin Gilmor did brilliantly to win the ball deep in opposition territory. He then curled a great ball into the box onto the head of Darius Roohi, but the striker sent his effort wide from six yards. The visitors still posed a significant threat going forward. On 37 minutes a quick counterattack ended with Ferguson getting his head to a cross played into the area and seeing his effort clip the top of the crossbar.

Comrades then hit the front in the 40^th minute. The ball was played forward to Marcus Murphy who was clearly in an offside position, but he didn’t move towards the ball and therefore the referee’s assistant rightly kept his flag down. As the Bangor defence switched off Brian Healy ran onto the ball and darted into the left side of the box from where he got in a shot from a tight angle which Taylor had to spread himself to stop. However, the ball broke out to the edge of the area where it fell to Darius Roohi who hit it back first-time, finding the back of the net with a great finish.

This secured a half-time lead for the hosts, but from the restart Bangor pressed strongly for an equaliser. Having brought on the towering physical presence of striker Arthurs they now loaded crosses into the Comrades box. From one such cross in the 53^rd minute Arthurs was unmarked and a goal looked inevitable, but surprisingly he sent his headed effort wide of the target. The visitors looked the more threatening side for most of the second half, with Comrades struggling to regain the attacking fluidity the had before the break. However, the hosts almost grabbed a goal from out of the blue on 59 minutes. Caolan Donnelly surged into the box were a defender tried to clear, with the ball rebounding back off the Comrades man and flying towards goal where Taylor had to make a good sprawling reaction save to keep it out. A minute passed and at the other end Bangor had a chance when Ferguson knocked the ball down to Arthurs inside the box, but his effort was poked wide of the post.

On 67 minutes the visitors got a merited leveller. A dangerous corner was only cleared out to the edge of the box from where Neale rifled a tremendous shot through a crowd of players and into the net. Bangor should have then taken the lead in the 70^th minute. The hosts gave the ball away cheaply in their own deep in their own half. Their opponents took advantage with Ferguson being played in one on one with the ‘keeper. However, to the relief of the home supporters the normally lethal striker slid his effort wide of the post.

A slick move from the visitors saw them regain the lead in the 76^th minute. Attacking up their right Harrison put a perfect ball into the area where Arthurs got his outstretched boot to it to send it past Gerard Walker.

This finished the scoring as Bangor comfortably held onto their lead and secured all three points.

Many thanks to the match sponsor for this game Abbey Real Estate and to ball sponsor The Mortgage Shop.

Comrades secured a morale boosting win on a hot sunny day at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

Before kick-off everyone in the ground paid respect with a minute’s silence to respected referee Keith Kennedy who died suddenly earlier in the week.

Once the game got underway the hosts had most of the play in the early stages. Comrades took a while to get going and rarely got out of their own half in the first 10 minutes. Institute whilst having a lot of the ball did not provide much threat on the visitors’ goal. However, on 12 minutes, after a scramble from a corner, Liam Hassin did well to head clear off the line from a goal bound effort. It took a while before Comrades started to get into the game, but by the midway point of the half play was evenly balanced, with defences largely on top.

The breakthrough for Stephen Small’s men came in the 36^th minute. With Comrades growing in confidence, Conor Quinn got to the ball and played a perfectly weighted pass through the home defence to Michael Morgan who then finished with an impressive shot into the top corner of the net from the edge of the box.

The visitors came close to adding to their lead on 44 minutes. Caolán Donnelly went on a superb run past two defenders before hitting a shot from just inside the area which took a deflection off a defender and onto the angle of bar and post.

There were two enforced changes at half-time for Comrades, as the impressive pair of Jack Johnston and Caolán Donnelly had to be replaced due to injury.

The hosts started on the front foot after the restart, although they failed to create chances against the visitors’ defence in which captain Liam Hassin, normally a midfielder, was outstanding. In the 52^nd minute Comrades doubled their lead with a truly memorable goal. Brian Healy received the ball on the right side of the pitch, just inside the Institute half. With great vision he spotted the home ‘keeper off his line and sent an audacious effort over the stranded Doherty and into the net to the delight of the travelling supporters.

Play was then held up for a significant period with a nasty looking injury to Comrades defender Lewis Tennant. He had to be stretchered off with a suspect broken leg, which fortunately was later diagnosed in hospital to be muscle damage.

Another reshuffle was required and this time the visitors took some time to adjust. This allowed Institute to build attacking momentum. They grabbed a goal back on 68 minutes when Porter supplied a neat first-time finish from six yards to a dangerous ball played in from the right. The hosts now had the wind in their sails, and they looked capable of getting an equaliser. In the 70^th minute Harris cut inside the box and fired a shot which Adam Ritchie had to turn away. Then, two minutes later, Tweed cut in from the left before striking an effort from just outside the area which Adam Ritchie was well-positioned to save.

The home side then had another chance on 75 minutes when Harris swivelled to get in a shot from the centre of the area, but he slashed his effort well wide of the target.

Comrades weathered the storm and began to get more control of the game, looking dangerous on the break. In the 84^th minute they gave themselves some leeway with a third goal. Conor Quinn was again the provider with a great ball across the pitch to set Brian Healy free to run at the stretched home defence, after the referee had played a great advantage. Healy cut inside the box and past the hosts’ right-back before confidently shooting across the ‘keeper and into the bottom corner of the net from 10 yards.

Institute exerted pressure in the remaining minutes, which included 10 minutes of stoppage time, but Comrades defended well. Getting heads to balls played in from corners and crosses which has been something of a weakness previously in the initial stages of this season.

The visitors had a good opportunity to add a fourth goal eight minutes into added time when a counterattack saw them with a three versus one situation. However, they did not take advantage, and the attack ended with a Brian Healy shot being comfortably saved by the ‘keeper.

After the extended period of stoppage time the final whistle saw Comrades take a deserved three points on the road to send their supporters home happy.

In front of a large crowd under the Dixon Park lights, Comrades were within just over a minute of taking a strong Linfield side to penalties in this County Antrim Shield tie.

The home side looked sharp from the kick-off, fired up to make amends for a couple of poor recent performance. To the delight of their supporters, they took a shock lead inside five minutes. An incisive move saw the ball fed out to Brian Healy in space on the left and he surged into the box before striking a sweetly hit shot which saw the ball go into the net off the far post.

This woke up the visitors who began to boss the attacking play. On 12 minutes they came close when Annett got on the end of a low ball played into the box by Archer and struck an effort at the near post which was deflected just wide. In the 18^th minute Linfield grabbed an equaliser. A great cross sent in by Mulgrew found the head of the towering Roscoe who made no mistake, powering in from close range.

Six minutes later the hosts conceded a penalty when Lewis Tennant brought down Mulgrew on the byline. Fitzpatrick stepped up to take the spot-kick but was denied by a fine save from Adam Ritchie.

Comrades continued to compete well and unsettled their high-class opponents. In the 36^th minute good pressing saw the ball break to Brian Healy on the right. He sent a teasing ball into the box, which was met by Darius Roohi, but Walsh was well positioned to make a smart save. Then, on 39 minutes, the hosts had an even better opportunity to retake the lead. Brian Healy did very well to get past a defender on the right side of the box and strike a shot which was parried out by the ‘keeper. The loose ball fell to Lee McGreevy in a great position. He struck an effort on target only to be denied by a superb goal-line clearance by Whiteside. The visitors came close to taking the lead a minute into added time at the end of the first half. After a scramble in the box Fitzpatrick set up Annett for what looked like an easy chance, but his effort was kept out by a fine reaction safe from Adam Ritchie.

Comrades started the second half positively. Five minutes in, Michael Morgan produced a thrilling mazy run past a number of challenges before unleashing a shot from just outside the area which flew over the bar.

Linfield had introduced their star player Joel Cooper, former Comrades player and Ballyclare native, after the break. It was he who gave his side the lead in the 55^th minute when he struck a great curling shot from 25 yards which went in under the bar. Showing respect for his former club and hometown team, he refused to celebrate the goal. Cooper again showed his class four minutes later when he struck the base of the post with a free kick effort from 22 yards out.

Comrades were far from finished and on 67 minute they were back on level terms. Michael Morgan hit a fierce shot from the edge of the box which Walsh couldn’t hold. Darius Roohi was in the right place, following up to knock the ball into the net past the stranded ‘keeper.

The hosts now had their tails up. On 72 minutes they had a chance to retake the lead. Cillin Gilmour played a diagonal ball forward towards Michael Morgan, which slipped under the foot of McCullough, allowing Morgan to race into the box. However, he delayed his shot and McCullough redeemed himself by getting back to make a block.

With the match set to go straight to penalties, Linfield piled forward with a wave of attacks late in the game, with Comrades having to deal with several crosses into the box. On 89 minutes from one such cross, sent in by McClean, McBrien headed against the bar. Comrades defended tenaciously and it looked as if they would deservedly take the game to spot-kicks as the time ebbed away. However, they were denied by a Linfield winner five minutes into stoppage time. Another cross came into the area and this time a Comrades head couldn’t get to it, with McKee heading in from 5 yards.

The final whistle came shortly afterwards, and the home supporters clapped their team off after they had given their all in a thrilling encounter.

Many thanks to our match sponsor for this game B Craig & Co, and to our two ball sponsors Ernest Hall Menswear and Trade Bathrooms NI.

Comrades suffered a humiliating defeat at home to the Welders after shipping goals at an alarming rate.

The hosts had the first effort on goal inside two minutes with Michael Morgan testing Agnew with a curling effort from the edge of the area which the ‘keeper was well positioned to save. Two minutes later Welders hit the front. A defensive mix up in the box, when the ball should have been cleared, allowed O’Connor the simple task of knocking in from close range.

The hosts reacted to this early setback. In the ninth minute Cillin Gilmour saw the ‘keeper off his line as he took a free kick just inside the Welders half and tried an audacious effort which went just wide of the unguarded goal. On 11 minutes Comrades created a great chance to level the scores. Michael Morgan surged into the box and delivered a great ball to the far post where Darius Roohi was arriving. Unfortunately for the striker he had to stretch to reach the ball, and his effort went over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

At the other end, the visitors posed a constant threat to a nervous Comrades defence. In the 19^th minute they scored a second goal. Kee struck a shot from inside the box which was kept out by a good save from debutant ‘keeper Adam Ritchie. However, the ball broke out to Doyle who made no mistake, firing in through the crowded box.

Comrades attempted to get back into the game. On 24 minutes Liam Hassin pulled the ball back from the byline to Darius Roohi who made space for shot from the edge of the area, but his effort went over the bar. In the 27^th minute the home side pulled a goal back. Michael Morgan ran at the visitors’ defence and played the ball to Darius Roohi in the box. Roohi played it into the six-yard box where Morgan slid in to provide the finish.

A minute later Comrades came close to a leveller. Darius Roohi got past a defender on the right side of the box before playing the ball to the far post area where Michael Morgan met it with a scissor-kick which went just over the bar. Soon though the wind was taken from the hosts’ sails as Welders got a third goal. On 31 minutes McCoubrey’s corner was headed in by Doyle, exposing Comrades frailty from set-pieces. Three minutes passed before the visitors added to their tally. The hosts again failed to clear the ball from their box allowing Dylan O’Kane to blast it in past the helpless ‘keeper.

The first half goal avalanche continued in the 36^th minute. Darius Roohi and Michael Morgan again linked up effectively, with Roohi breaking forward from halfway and delivering a perfectly weighted ball across to Morgan who ran in one on one with the ‘keeper. Agnew initially blocked Morgan’s effort inside the box, but the ball fell back to the Comrades man who slotted it into the empty net.

A minute into first half stoppage time Welders almost had a fifth goal but were denied as Adam Ritchie made a brilliant save from an O’Connor close range effort.

Comrades went in at half-time still hanging on to a chance of getting something from the game, largely thanks to the work of their strikers. Five minutes into the second half they had a good chance to reduce the deficit to one goal. Lee McGreevy played a deft through ball to find the run of Liam Hassin who surged through from the halfway line. As a chasing defender tried to catch him, Hassin shot from just outside the box, but his effort was blocked by the advancing ‘keeper. At the other end Welders continued to look capable of scoring with almost every attack. In the 54^th minute O’Connor won a physical battle in the box and got in a shot which was deflected just wide of the target. From the resulting corner the same player saw his header tipped onto the bar by ‘keeper Ritchie. The young Comrades ‘keeper was overworked and again had to make a good save on 62 minutes to deny O’Connor as he shot from a good position inside the area.

Hope for a Comrades recovery was snuffed out in the 68^th minute when Dylan O’Kane hit a superb strike from 30 yards which flew into the top corner of the net. From this point it was a matter of how many the visitors would score as Comrades heads dropped. Two minutes later the visitors scored a sixth goal. A ball dinked over the Comrades backline set Doyle free and he made no mistake with a finish from inside the area to complete his hat-trick. In the 73^rd minute Welders scored their third goal in a devasting five-minute spell. This time Parkhouse got on the end of a great ball across goal to make a simple finish.

Comrades came close to reducing the deficit on 76 minutes as Michael Morgan shot past the advancing ‘keeper from the edge of the box, but a defender got back to clear the ball off the line to deny the Morgan his third goal. On 80 minutes the hosts were grateful for another fine save from Adam Ritchie as he kept out a close-range follow-up effort from Parkhouse after a free kick had been smashed against the bar. Parkhouse then should have done better in the 84^th minute, as with only the ‘keeper to beat he dragged his shot wide from 14 yards.

The final whistle came as a relief to the shellshocked home supporters who had witnessed a disastrous defensive display from their team.

Match Sponsor: Metal Technology