Author: Scott

We travel to The Dub tomorrow afternoon as we face Queen’s University in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 11^th September – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: The Dub

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate (£8 adult / £5 concession)

The Opponents

Queen’s University have had a tough start to the season to date, losing 5 of their opening 6 games with their only victory coming against Dundela. Last week, they played host to top of the league Newry City where The Students were on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline. Newry opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark, the only goal in a close fought first half. And that was how it stayed until a minute into stoppage time when substitute Stephen Lawless bagged Newry’s second to make sure of the points for the visitors. The Comrades can be sure, however, that Queens’ league form doesn’t accurately reflect the quality of their team and Paul Harbinson’s men will need to be on top of their game if they want a result.

The Comrades

Paul Harbinson’s men travel to The Dub following last week’s 2-2 draw with Knockbreda. Liam McKenna continued his excellent form in front of goal as the full-back got both goals in the game, taking his tally to 5 goals in 7 games this season. Newcomer, Ian Fletcher, made his debut for the Comrades as he put in a solid performance at full-back. Speaking on the upcoming game, manager Paul Harbinson said “We are focused entirely on going to Queen’s and trying to improve on our performance. Let’s not talk about results, let’s talk about how our performance needs to improve, our concentration and our basics need to improve. That’s what we will be focused on until the game is over and then we’ll look to the next one.”

Last Time Out

We last faced Queen’s University just over a month ago in the Bet McLean League Cup first round. The Comrades progressed to the next round after defeating Queen’s 2-1. Comrades opened the scoring in the 29th minute. A great ball over the top from Elliot McKim discomforted the Queen’s defence and found Joe Tully. He then managed to slip the ball to Liam McKenna who made space to fire a great finish low into the bottom corner of the net from 7 yards for a goal on his competitive debut for the club. Comrades went in at the break with a narrow advantage, but it was the visitors who began the second half on the front foot. They got their reward with an equaliser in the 53rd minute when Matthew Hughes struck an excellent shot from 25 yards into the net giving Purcell little chance. Three minutes later however Comrades’ lead was restored. Liam McKenna played the ball into the box from a free kick near the by-line. Queen’s couldn’t clear it and it broke to Ciaran Heggarty who thumped his effort into the net from 8 yards for another goal for a club debutant. The final minutes of the match saw the visitors press for an equaliser, but the home defence held out well to seal the victory.

We invite Knockbreda to Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 4^th September – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (adult) / £5 (concession) – Kids under 12 free entry with paying adult

The Opponents

Knockbreda come to Dixon Park following a 3-1 victory over Queen’s last Saturday. They were hot out of the blocks as Lee McGreevy scored within the opening minute before Ethan Devine made it 2-0 (the clock hadn’t even reached double figures yet). Their last away outing was to Wilgar Park, where Dundela fell victims to a very similar story, with Knockbreda running out 4-3 victors. Lee McGreevy needed just 20 seconds this time to find the back of the net and Knockbreda found themselves 3-0 up with 35 minutes gone. Knockbreda manager, Colin McIlwrath, will be urging his players to start like a house on fire once again as they visit Dixon Park this Saturday.

The Comrades

A late Liam McKenna strike was enough to see the Comrades squeeze to a narrow victory over HW Welders last Friday night. The game was a relatively quiet affair with both teams evenly matched. The signing announcement just before the game of experienced Irish League defender, Howard Beverland, was sure to give the squad a boost in confidence and the 31-year-old didn’t disappoint the Dixon Park faithful as he put in a man of the match performance. We’ve had a couple of outgoings since last week as well, with defender, Kyle Crawford, and young forward, Josh McGreevy, both leaving the club to join Ballymoney United. Paul Harbinson did manage to capture the signing of 24-year-old ex-League of Ireland full-back, Ian Fletcher, on deadline day. The manager will be hoping his new players gel quickly with the squad as we enter a jam-packed September schedule.

Last Time Out

Our last competitive fixture against Knockbreda was in March 2020 when the Comrades came away from Breda Park with all 3 points following a 3-1 victory. Gary Donnelly struck the opening for the Comrades on 11 minutes with a close-range finish after Nathan O’Neill found him with a cushioned header. Then, six minutes later, JB Dobbin made it 2-0 after sliding home the loose ball when ‘keeper, Lewis Deane, kept out efforts from Samuel McIlveen and Oisin Barr on the follow up. Knockbreda pulled one back on the stroke of half-time through Fra Rice after he nipped in to capitalise on a mix-up between Ben McCauley and Kevin Hagan. However, with just over a quarter-of-an-hour remaining, O’Neill made sure of the points for the Comrades with a header from six yards after Dobbin crossed into the box. This turned out to be the last game we played before the league was called to a halt due to the global pandemic.

We invite Harland & Wolff Welders to Dixon Park tomorrow night in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Friday 27^th August – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (adult) / £5 (concession)

Club Shop will be open before the game and during half time.

The Opponents

The Welders have had a mixed bag of results since the start of the season. They started with a thumping 5-0 victory over Queen’s in the opening week and then narrowly lost out to both Newry City and Ards the following week. However, Gary Smyth’s men got back to winning ways last weekend with a 1-0 victory away to Knockbreda and so they’ll be looking to carry that momentum into tomorrow night’s game.

The Comrades

Much like our opponents, the Comrades come into Friday night’s fixture with a mixed bag of results since the start of the season. Paul Harbinson believes a ‘lack of heart’ was our downfall in last week’s 2-0 defeat to Loughgall. The manager will be hoping that the arrival of Tom Mathieson and return of Adam McCart freshens up the changing room again and helps bring back the form from the opening games of the season (could we even see another new face arriving at Dixon Park before tomorrow night… who knows?). Elliot McKim will be available for selection again following his suspension in the game vs Annagh United.

Last Time Out

January 4^th 2020 was the last time these two sides met in the Irish Cup 5^th Round at Dixon Park. The Welders took a 1-0 lead into the break after a mistake at the back left their striker 1 on 1, only to calmly slot the ball past the on-rushing ‘keeper. The Welders had most of the clear-cut chances in the 2^nd half but it was the Comrades who were most clinical as a lovely turn and low shot from Lukasz Adamczyk found the bottom corner to draw the scores level before Adamczyk got involved again, this time teeing up Adam Gray with only minutes remaining. The Comrades held out for a 2-1 victory and progressed to the 6^th round.