Author: Scott

We welcome Queen’s University to Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

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

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

Match & Ball Sponsor: Gordon Estates Management

The Opponents

Queen’s University’s season is still yet to really get going. With 15 games played, the students occupy bottom spot in the Lough 41 championship with only one victory on the board. Last week, Queen’s faced up against Ballinamallard and were on the wrong end of a 3-0 score line. BJ Banda opened the scoring for Harry McConkey’s side after 12 minutes and almost added another towards the end of the first half only to fire into the side netting. After the break a Jason McCartney cross skimmed the crossbar while Joshua McIlwaine saw a goalbound effort deflected away for a corner. However, McIlwaine did find the net to double Ballinamallard’s lead with just over a quarter-of-an-hour remaining before substitute Duwayne McManus completed the scoring with five minutes to go.

The Comrades

The Comrades failed to build on the momentum from last Tuesday’s victory over Crusaders as they slipped to fifth spot in the table on Saturday after losing by the odd goal in five away to Knockbreda. The home side moved in front after half-an-hour through Peter McDermott, a lead they held until just before the break when Liam McKenna levelled with a finish into an empty net. ‘Breda regained the advantage early in the second half thanks to Ethan Devine and went further ahead on 56 minutes when Karl Hamill knocked home number three. Joe Tully reduced the deficit midway through the second half from a Matthew Herron pass but Knockbreda held on to claim the points. Paul Harbinson will be looking for his squad to get back to winning ways, as that’s now only 1 point picked up from the last 9 available.

Last Time Out

This is just the 4^th time these two sides have met this season. The Comrades have got the better of Queen’s on all occasions to date, with the most recent being a 3-1 home victory in the ToalsBet.com Co Antrim Shield. The Comrades opened the scoring on 22 minutes as Curtis Woods got forward up the right wing and sent in a perfect cross to the far post where Andrew Mooney was there to head in comfortably from 5 yards. The home side were now playing some good attacking football, but they were rocked by an equaliser on 40 minutes. The ball was lost in midfield and ended up being played through to Glackin who calmly slotted it past the ‘keeper from inside the box. In the 70th minute Andrew Mooney did very well to hold the ball up on the wing and then feed Ciaran Heggarty who then managed to slip the ball through to Matthew Herron breaking into the box. Herron then produced a confident finish past the advancing ‘keeper from 12 yards for his first competitive goal for the club. Three minutes later Comrades increased their lead. A well-flighted Elliot McKim corner to the back post found the head of the unmarked Andrew Mooney who nodded in from close range.

We make the trip to Breda Park tomorrow afternoon to take on Knockbreda in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 6^th November – Kick-Off 2:00pm

Where: Breda Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

The Opponents

Knockbreda go into tomorrow’s game currently occupying 9^th place in the Lough 41 Championship. Last week, a late winner saw Knockbreda defeat Queen’s University by the odd goal in five at The Dub. ‘Breda moved in front as early as the third minute courtesy of an Ethan Devine spot-kick although Queen’s did level on ten minutes when Adam Robinson tapped home from a free-kick. The visitors regained the advantage just after the half-hour when Lee Rea found the net at the third time of asking but, again, back came the Students when Marc McKenna equalised barely a couple of minutes later from the spot. Queen’s were reduced to ten men just before the break when Stephen McGuinness was dismissed for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity. From the resulting set piece Devine came close only to rattle an upright. Indeed, the home side did well to keep ‘Breda at bay for almost the remainder of the game before, five minutes from time, Karl Hamill scored the winner with a deflected finish past Conan Doherty.

The Comrades

It has been a rollercoaster of a week for the Comrades. Following the disappointment of last Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat to Loughgall, a result that stopped us from going joint-top of the Championship, Paul Harbinson’s men bounced back with a notable victory to shock Crusaders and advance to the semi-finals of the ToalsBet.com Co Antrim Shield on a dramatic night at Dixon Park on Tuesday. Joe Tully opened the scoring as early as the 3^rd minute after some great play down the right-hand side involving Ian Fletcher, Matthew Herron and Ciarán Dobbin ended with Dobbin taking advantage of a slip by a Crusaders defender to play a great ball across the box, finding Tully who calmly slotted in first-time from 6 yards. The Comrades continued to discomfort Crusaders and in the 6^th minute, a superbly flighted corner played in by Adam Gray saw Owens head into his own net. Despite dominating the first 45 minutes, the Comrades did let Crusaders back into the game early in the second-half after Gary Donnelly had rather controversially been adjudged to have fouled an opponent when making a clearance. Forsythe made no mistake from the spot to halve the deficit. It wasn’t long before Crusaders were back on level terms. They were very dangerous from set-pieces all evening and from a corner they scored on 59 minutes when Forsythe rose to head in from 9 yards. After an exhilarating game the final whistle brought more drama in the penalty shoot-out. Forsythe stepped up first for Crusaders but was denied by a Richard Purcell save. However, the scores were back level in the second set of spot-kicks when Gary Donnelly had his effort saved by Tuffey. It was 4-3 to Crusaders when young substitute Owen Taylor, making his debut for the first-team, stepped up to take a pressure penalty which he scored confidently. It was now sudden-death and on the seventh round of penalties Purcell saved right on the line from Thompson, allowing Liam Hassin the chance to step up to win the tie and spark joyous celebrations amongst the home supporters. Following the game, a delighted Harbinson said “I’m so proud of the boys. We’ve challenged them from the start that our performances in the last 2 weeks have been poor and tonight we had to make a lot of changes due to illnesses and injuries, and so tonight was just about go out, perform and can you put in a performance to be proud of, and I feel they should be. The performance throughout the 90 minutes was first class.” Moving on to tomorrow’s game, the gaffer said “Tonight’s done, we enjoy it, we celebrate it, we take the positives from it, but if we can’t do the same again on Saturday, then we’ve got to ask ourselves questions. So we’ve got to go on Saturday now and work hard.”

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met was back at the beginning of September where they played out a 2-2 draw at Dixon Park. The visitors started confidently and took an early lead in the 6th minute when Ethan Devine got onto the ball 25 yards out and struck a great effort which found the top corner of the net, giving the ‘keeper no chance. In the latter part of the half the hosts began to come into the game at last and it was from their first real piece of dangerous attacking play that they got an equaliser in the 37th minute. Andrew Mooney did very well to beat a defender on the by-line before laying the ball back in a crowded box towards Liam McKenna 8 yards out. McKenna got not the cleanest of strikes on the ball, but it went in off the inside of the post despite the efforts of the ‘keeper to prevent it crossing the line. A minute later and suddenly Comrades were in front. Good play by Adam Gray saw him run at the Knockbreda defence and play in a great ball from the left edge of the box which was met by a firm header from 6 yards by Liam McKenna who was again the man in the right position to score. The home side went in at the break with a lead, but they couldn’t hold onto it for long into the second half. Eight minutes in Knockbreda levelled the scores when a ball played in from the right was controlled well by Rea who swivelled and planted it into the bottom corner of the net from 8 yards. The visitors were reduced to ten men in the 88th minute when McCaughan was sent off for protesting too vehemently to the referee during an incident, but it was too late to have any impact on the game.

We welcome Crusaders to Dixon Park tomorrow evening for the quarter final of the ToalsBet.com Co Antrim Shield.

Match Info

When: Tuesday 2^nd November – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: ToalsBet.Com Co Antrim Shield Quarter Final

Entry: Pay at the gate – £10 (Adult) / £7 (Concession) (Reminder that season tickets are not valid for cup games)

Match Sponsor: Brackenwood Property & Estate Management

Ball Sponsor: Riverside Autowash

The Opponents

Crusaders currently occupy 6^th position in the Danske Bank Premiership having played 2/3 games less than those above them, due to following Covid 19 protocols. They marked their return to action following their enforced break with victory over Warrenpoint Town at Milltown on Saturday. The Crues moved in front on 17 minutes when Johnny McMurray followed up with the finish after ‘Point keeper saved Paul Heatley’s initial effort. It was 2-0 ten minutes after that following Adam Lecky’s glancing header from a corner but the home side responded quickly to pull a goal back when Alan O’Sullivan converted from the spot after referee Lee Tavinder awarded a penalty for handball. Warrenpoint’s comeback was complete seven minutes into the second half with O’Sullivan’s second of the game when, despite Declan Caddell’s best efforts to clear, he squeezed the ball home from an acute angle. Crusaders regained the lead just after the hour, however, thanks to a Heatley finish past Mitchell after Ben Kennedy had found him with a perfectly delivered pass. ‘Point were reduced to ten men with seven minutes remaining when Daniel Byrne received a second booking following a challenge on Kennedy … and Kennedy himself completed the scoring a couple of minutes after that when he raced clear on the counterattack.

The Comrades

The Comrades missed out on the chance to go level on points at the top of the Lough 41 Championship on Saturday following a three-goal home reversal to Loughgall. Andrew Hoey opened the scoring for the Villagers after 18 minutes which was how it stayed until early in the second half when Jamie Rea doubled their advantage. Nathaniel Ferris then completed the scoring three minutes from time with a tap in from a Hoey cross. The game ended on a sour note when a melee developed near the touchline in front of the visitors’ dugout and escalated to involve most of the players. After order was restored the referee sent off Jason Johnston and Loughgall’s Ferris. Paul Harbinson spoke of his disappointment following the game and admitted the level of performance was concerning. Speaking on tomorrow evening’s upcoming fixture, Harbinson said “It’s an opportunity for us to maybe blow the cobwebs out and get players game time. I’m not overly concerned with winning the Co Antrim Shield, I’m more concerned about ensuring that our performances improve”.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met was in a pre-season friendly back in September 2020 where Crusaders were the victors in a 2-1 scoreline at Dixon Park. The last competitive fixture these two sides had was back in March 2014, where Crusaders stormed to a 5-0 victory at Seaview in the quarter final of the Irish Cup.

We welcome Loughgall to Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 30^th October – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

Match Sponsor: Terry Coulter Cars

Ball Sponsor: Anonymous

The Opponents

Loughgall go into tomorrow’s game off the back of last week’s 1-0 victory over league leaders, Ards. Scoreless at the break, the only goal of the game came on the hour mark when Andrew Hoey ran onto a flick into the area to take the ball past Conall McGrandles and fire beyond Brian Neeson inside the near post. Loughgall could have doubled their advantage moments later but Pablo Andrade turned his effort against the upright. Ards ended the game with ten men following Jaimie McGovern’s dismissal for a challenge on Dale Malone. Loughgall currently sit 5^th in the Lough 41 Championship table, 5 points behind Ballyclare Comrades.

The Comrades

Paul Harbinson’s men had to be content with a point from a goalless draw against Institute at Dixon Park last Saturday. The visitors had a great chance to move in front just before the hour. Curtis Woods was adjudged to have upended Dunne inside the box but, from the penalty that followed, Liam Walsh could only look on as his effort was turned away by the diving Richard Purcell. The Comrades were reduced to ten men on 74 minutes when Howard Beverland was dismissed for a challenge on Liam Walsh but ‘Stute failed to take advantage and, indeed, have John Connolly to thank with a couple of saves late in the game to deny Liam McKenna and Ciarán Dobbin. Following the game, Harbinson said “I think we have to look at that as points dropped. That’s a game at home where we are expecting to go in and perform to the level that we did last week and if we do that, maybe we get more out of the game and we certainly expect to work harder than we did, so it’s an overwhelming disappointment”. Harbinson will be looking for his squad to return to the form that saw them put 4 past Annagh United the week previous.

Last Time Out

Loughgall took home all 3 points the last time these two sides met back in August with a 2-0 win at Dixon Park. The first quarter of the game was evenly balanced with chances at a premium. However, Comrades had an excellent opportunity to take the lead on 21 minutes when Andrew Mooney ran onto a long ball played from deep by Ciarán Dobbin and outpaced a covering defender to run in on goal, but he couldn’t beat the ‘keeper with his effort from inside the box. Loughgall hit the front in the 28th minute. A ball over the top caught out the Comrades defence and it was then played in from the wing to Hoey who made space and struck an excellent finish just inside the post from the edge of the box. The home side continue to frustrate their supporters and failed to test the Loughgall ‘keeper in the latter stages of the match. Their disappointing day was completed a minute into injury time when the visitors sealed the victory with a second goal. They all too easily won the ball in the centre of the field from a Comrades clearance, and it was then played through to Forde who raced clear and finished confidently from fourteen yards.

We welcome Institute to Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 23^rd October – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

Match & Ball Sponsor: Extra Care

The Opponents

Institute come into tomorrow’s game following a 2-1 defeat at home to Newry City last Saturday. Newry came from a goal down to claim all three points at the Brandywell. ‘Stute moved in front after just eight minutes when the on-form Brendan McLaughlin beat City keeper Steven Maguire with a sublime chip. That was how it stayed until 60 seconds from the break when Stephen Lawless levelled for the visitors from close range. And Newry’s winner came a couple of minutes before the hour mark courtesy of James Teelan’s finish into the roof of the net following a sustained period of pressure. Institute currently occupy 10^th spot in the league table on 12 points, just 6 points adrift from the top 6, with a game in hand.

The Comrades

Paul Harbinson’s men made it three wins from three as they put 4 past Annagh United last Saturday, keeping them in contention at the top of the table. The Comrades started the game on the front-foot and soon got their reward. In the 6th minute their excellent pressing paid off when Liam McKenna robbed an opponent inside the Annagh half and fed the ball forward to Andrew Mooney. The striker could have taken on a shot but had the awareness to see Liam Hassin arriving in a better position on the left side of the box and fed him a perfectly weighted ball which Hassin fired into the roof of the net from 12 yards for his first goal for the club. The second goal for the away team came in the 19th minute. A corner played low into the box saw it ricochet about the box and then fall to Andrew Mooney who drilled it in from 7 yards. The two-goal lead for Comrades didn’t last long and five minutes later the hosts were right back in the game. A dangerous long-throw into the box from Taylor, a feature throughout the game, saw Ashton McDermott head into his own net, giving ‘keeper Richard Purcell no chance. The second half saw the Comrades step things up again and on 64 minutes, a Gary Donnelly free kick forced Hughes to make a save and the ball rebounded out to Ian Fletcher who the struck a fine controlled effort wide of the keeper and inside the far post from 10 yards. The destination of the points was put beyond doubt in the 86th minute. With Annagh pushing men forward, Gary Donnelly set Liam Hassin clear to run free from the halfway line and, when he reached the box, he squared unselfishly to Ciaran Heggarty who had arrived in support and was able to finish confidently from 10 yards. That keeps the Comrades in 3^rd position in the Lough 41 Championship table with both Ards and Newry City, above, winning their respective matches.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met was at the beginning of the season, when a dominant first half display secured the Comrades’ three points from their trip to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. Paul Harbinson’s men were quick off the blocks and soon had the lead. In the 5th minute, with his third corner in quick succession, Liam McKenna whipped in a beauty which went in at the near post despite a defender’s effort to keep it out. In the 22nd minute the visitors doubled their lead. Curtis Woods played an excellent ball into the box from the by-line, finding Adam Gray who took a touch and produced a composed finish from 10 yards. Comrades continued to look threatening and on 36 minutes they went three up. Liam Hassin burst into the box and was brought down for a penalty. Joe Tully stepped up to take the spot kick, but ‘keeper McCann was able to save it. However, the ball fell back kindly into the path of Tully who this time made no mistake. The second half was a rather different affair, and on 83 minutes Institute got what proved only to be a consolation goal when Pomeroy converted from the spot after Chris Ramsey had fouled an opponent in the