Author: Scott

We travel to Milltown tomorrow afternoon to take on Warrenpoint Town in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Monday 2^nd January 2023 – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Milltown

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Warrenpoint Town shared the spoils with Institute from a Boxing Day clash at the Brandywell. Scoreless at the break, ‘Stute moved in front after half an hour when Andrew Whiteside volleyed into the top corner. And they might have doubled their advantage on 83 minutes only for Cathair Friel to head against an upright while Mark McFadden failed to convert the rebound. That reprieve opened the door for ‘Point to bag their equaliser just sixty seconds later when, from a corner, Adam Carroll beat Dylan Doherty to ensure it finished honours even.

The Comrades

Ballyclare Comrades and Newington shared the spoils from an evenly matched middle of the table clash at Dixon Park on Boxing Day. Although scoreless at the break, the visitors did twice come close during the opening 45 minutes when Darren Stuart broke through to fire straight at Declan Breen and then again after half-an-hour only to be denied by a goalline clearance. The sides traded chances in the second half but it took Darius Roohi to break the deadlock with 14 minutes remaining when nodded home a Gary Donnelly free-kick from four yards. However, Newington grabbed a point deep into stoppage time when Jack Reilly fired home a great shot from outside the box.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in October, Ballyclare Comrades and Warrenpoint Town shared the spoils at Dixon Park. The home side moved in front with just over a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock. Calvin McCurry broke clear of the visiting defence but was brought down by Daniel Byrne just outside the box and, from the resultant free-kick, Joe Tully fired into the far top corner. Luke Walsh might have levelled soon after only to hit the back post with a header from a corner. However, Walsh did equalise for ‘Point eight minutes from time on the rebound after Byrne had nodded a Kealan Dillon free-kick against an upright. ‘Point thought they had snatched the win deep into stoppage time but Joshua Wilson’s finish was ruled out offside.

We welcome Newington to Dixon Park this afternoon for our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Monday 26^th December – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (OAP & U16) / £3 (U12 in the company of an adult)

Match Sponsor: Ballyclare Radiator Services

Ball Sponsor: Studio 51, 51 Main Street Ballyclare

The Opponents

Last week, goals from substitutes Padraig Slane and Aodhfionn Casey helped Newington defeat HW Welders at Solitude. Scoreless at the break, the deadlock was finally broken on 73 minutes when Slane picked up the ball in the area and beat keeper Sam Johnston with a low hard ball driven into the bottom corner at the near post. Then, just four minutes after that, Casey doubled Newington’s lead when Gary Warwick cut the ball back from the touchline for Casey to fire home from the edge of the area just inside the right post. The Welders did bag a late consolation in stoppage time when Michael McLellan knocked home the rebound after his initial effort had been touched onto the crossbar.

The Comrades

The Comrades are returning to action for the first time since the beginning of the month following recent fixture postponements. Their last time out saw them battle to an equal share of the goals away to Knockbreda. Scoreless at the break, ‘Breda moved in front just three minutes into the second half with Anto Burns’ finish into the roof of the net from a Max Greer low ball across the box. But the visitors levelled just after the hour to secure a point when Darius Roohi found Calvin McCurry six yards out to beat Jonah Nicholl.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in September, the Comrades had a weekend to forget with a 5-2 defeat away to Newington. Darren Stuart opened the scoring for the Swans with two goals midway through the first half. He headed into the top corner on 21 minutes to break the deadlock before doubling up soon after with a confident finish from inside the box. Ballyclare pulled one back before the break, however, when Calvin McCurry headed home from Conall McGrandles’ corner. The Swans restored their two goal cushion early in the second half through Robert McVarnock who got on the end of a long ball to direct a header past Richard Purcell. Then, four minutes before the hour, Gary Warwick made the most of some indecision in the visiting defence to make it 4-1 … and he added a fifth later in the half after pouncing on a loose ball. Darius Roohi grabbed a late consolation for the Comrades with a finish from the edge of the box.

We travel to Lakeview Park this afternoon to take on Loughgall in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 17^th December – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Lakeview Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Last week, leaders Loughgall came from behind to claim a point from Institute at the Brandywell. The Villagers had the majority of chances in the scoreless first half, but fell behind not long after the interval when Cathair Friel ran onto a through ball from Mark McFadden to beat Berraat Turker with a composed finish. But Loughgall levelled with just over a quarter-of-an-hour remaining through Tiernan Kelly after connecting with a corner.

The Comrades

Before last weekend’s fixture was postponed, Conall Curran knocked home the only goal of the game as Ballyclare Comrades defeated Institute at Dixon Park. The Comrades man struck on 81 minutes from close range after connecting with a low ball delivered by Kyle Beggs. The result sees the Comrades leapfrog Institute into 6^th position in the Lough 41 Championship.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in October, Lough left Dixon Park with all three points following a four-goal victory over Ballyclare Comrades. Scoreless at the break, Championship player of the month Nedas Maciulaitis edged the Villagers in front on the hour after he was quickest to react to the loose ball from a Nathaniel Ferris effort. He then made it 2-0 nine minutes later after connecting with an Ally Teggart pass … and Teggart himself got on the scoresheet after that with a deflected finish from just outside the box. Benji Magee completed the scoring with a couple of minutes remaining just after Ryan Masterson had smashed an effort against the crossbar.

We welcome Annagh United to Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon for our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 10^th December – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (OAP & U16) / £3 (U12 in the company of an adult)

Match Sponsor: Abbey Real Estate

Ball Sponsor: The Mortgage Shop. You Talk. We Listen.

The Opponents

Last week, Annagh United hit three goals without reply past Dundela as second met third in the Lough 41 Championship. Stephen Murray fired Annagh in front on 18 minutes with a left footed effort after Ruairi McDonald had teed him up. Then, nine minutes into the second half, the roles were reversed when Murray found McDonald who duly lifted the ball over Macauley Cairns and into the net. Ben Eagle then completed the scoring in stoppage time after Conor Mullen had pounced on a defensive mistake to create the opening.

The Comrades

Last week, Knockbreda and Ballyclare Comrades battled to an equal share of the goals at Breda Park. Scoreless at the break, ‘Breda moved in front just three minutes into the second half with Anto Burns’ finish into the roof of the net from a Max Greer low ball across the box. But the visitors levelled just after the hour to secure a point when Darius Roohi found Calvin McCurry six yards out to beat Jonah Nicholl.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in October, both sides had to settle for a point from Ballyclare Comrades’ visit to Annagh United. Paul Finnegan edged Ciaran McGurgan’s side in front on 18 minutes from Adam Glenny’s delivery. It was a lead they held until the closing moments when Darius Roohi headed home an equaliser from a Cathal Farren free-kick.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 3^rd December – Kick-Off 2:00pm

Where: Breda Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Last week, Knockbreda lost out to Ballinamallard United who came from behind to defeat Knockbreda at Ferney Park. ‘Breda held the advantage at the break when the unmarked Ewan McCoubrey headed past Michael Lynch. The Mallards levelled on 70 minutes after ‘Breda defender Ross McCaughan turned a Peter Maguire effort into his own net. The visitors were reduced to ten men soon after when Tamer Atrach was dismissed for violent conduct before, five minutes after that, Caolan McAleer bagged the winner for Harry McConkey’s side.

The Comrades

Last week, Conall Curran knocked home the only goal of the game as Ballyclare Comrades defeated Institute at Dixon Park. The Comrades man struck on 81 minutes from close range after connecting with a low ball delivered by Kyle Beggs. The result sees the Comrades leapfrog Institute into 6^th position in the Lough 41 Championship.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in September, Ballyclare Comrades edged past Knockbreda by the odd goal in five at Dixon Park. The home side moved in front after nine minutes when Darius Roohi converted from the spot after Calvin McCurry had been brought down. And that was how it stayed before a couple of quick goals put Knockbreda in the driving seat. First, on the hour, Ross McCaughan headed home from a corner before, nine minutes later, Karl Hamill connected with a cross from the right to find the net at the back post. But Ballyclare levelled soon after courtesy of Cathal Farren’s far post header … with Joe Tully then grabbing what proved to be the winner on 82 minutes with a 25-yard drive.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 24^th November – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (OAP & U16) / £3 (U12 in the company of an adult)

Match Sponsor: Paul Girvan MP

Ball Sponsor: Anonymous

The Opponents

Institute edged to a narrow victory over HW Welders last week at the Brandywell to move into the top six. What proved to be the only goal of the game arrived four minutes into first half stoppage time when Orrin McLaughlin’s strike with the outside of his boot found the corner from just outside the area. Cathair Friel might have added a second late in the game only to strike an upright but that first half strike was enough to secure a third successive victory for Brian Donaghey’s side.

The Comrades

The Comrades came from behind 3 times last week to earn a point against ten-man Ards at Clandeboye Park. Adam Salley slid the ball home on 13 minutes to open the scoring for Matthew Tipton’s side, but Caomhan McGuinness levelled for the visitors just before the half-hour mark with an effort in off the underside of the bar. Ards were reduced to ten men soon after when TJ Murray received his second caution of the game, but they recovered to regain the lead just before the break through a Greg Hall header. Ballyclare levelled for a second time on the hour when Gary Donnelly scored direct from a corner. However, Ards moved in front once more a few minutes later when Salley converted from the spot for his second of the game … but the scoring wasn’t finished then as Donnelly also bagged his brace with a 25-yard effort beyond Alex Moore.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in September, a goal at either end of the game handed Institute the points from Ballyclare Comrades’ visit to the Brandywell. Shaun Leppard opened the scoring for ‘Stute as early as the ninth minute, with the home side thinking they had doubled their advantage soon after when Cathair Friel found the net only for it to be ruled out offside. Friel came close again early in the second half only to hit the post from a header before, five minutes from time, he did get on the scoresheet with a slotted finish below visiting keeper Declan Breen.

We travel to Clandeboye Park tomorrow evening to take on Ards in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 19^th November – Kick-Off 6:30pm

Where: Clandeboye Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Last week, Ards produced a storming second half performance to defeat HW Welders at the Blanchflower Stadium. The Welders had gone in front early on when Callum Byers met a corner from the left to direct the ball past Alex Moore. They held that lead until six minutes into the second half when Eamon Scannell beat Samuel Johnston from distance at his near post. Michael McLellan restored the Welders advantage just before the hour with a driven finish from six yards out but two goals in three minutes from Adam Salley and Ross Hunter tipped the balance in favour of the visitors. Scannell then made it 4-2 with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining with a near post header before bagging his hat-trick on the counter attack not long after that.

The Comrades

Ten-man Ballinamallard United battled back to earn a draw from Ballyclare Comrades’ visit to Ferney Park. The Comrades moved in front after eight minutes when, following a good team move also involving Calvin McCurry and Liam Hassin, Gary Donnelly curled an effort from 20 yards into the net past keeper Michael Lynch. The Mallards went a man down a few minutes from the end of the first half when Shane McGinty was sent-off following an altercation with Donnelly. But Harry McConkey’s side recovered to level just before the hour after John Edgar got on the end of a good cross to beat Declan Breen with a bullet header.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in August, Ards claimed all three points with a 2-1 victory at Clandeboye Park. Matthew Tipton’s side needed just over sixty seconds to move in front when Ross Hunter pounced on a mistake at the back to open the scoring. It was a lead they held until eight minutes into the second half after Calvin McCurry latched onto a Kyle Beggs pass to lob keeper Alex Moore. However, Eamon Scannell bagged what proved to be the winner with six minutes remaining with a header following a counter attack down the right.

We travel to Ferney Park tomorrow afternoon to take on Ballinamallard United in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 12^th November – Kick-Off 2:00pm

Where: Ferney Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Ballinamallard United had to settle for a share of the spoils with Warrenpoint Town at Milltown during the week. Steven Ball had given ‘Point the half-time advantage after sending a right-foot effort past Michael Lynch into the bottom corner. However, the Mallards left with a point after Shane McGinty converted from the spot just after the hour.

The Comrades

Neither Ballyclare Comrades nor HW Welders could find the net at Dixon Park on Tuesday but it wasn’t for the want of trying. The home side were denied midway through the first half when a free-kick was cleared off the line while, not long before the break, the Welders’ Craig Harris hit an effort against the crossbar. After the break Matthew Ferguson had the ball in the net for the visitors but this was ruled out by the officials.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met was in the Bet McLean League Cup in September. The Comrades came from two goals down to advance past Ballinamallard after a thrilling encounter at Dixon Park. The visitors grabbed the lead in the opening 30 minutes when a counter-attacked ended with Declan Breen having to make a good save from a McAleer effort from inside the box, but Reece Byrne was first to the loose ball, slotting home from 6 yards. With Comrades reeling from going behind, Mallards doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when they beat the offside trap and Edgar ran free to finish confidently past Breen. The hosts pulled a goal back on 37 minutes when a Mallards player blocked a Liam Hassin effort with an outstretched arm inside the box and a penalty was awarded which Darius Roohi confidently dispatched. The hosts had a great chance to level the scores on 71 minutes when they were awarded another penalty after a great move down the left ended with a ball into the box being blocked by another outstretched Mallards arm. Recently introduced substitute Cathal Farren stepped up to take the penalty but his effort placed just inside the post was kept out by a superb save from Ray. Incredibly, five minutes later, Comrades were awarded their third penalty of the night when Calvin McCurry was chopped down in the box. This time Gary Donnelly took the responsibility to shoot from the spot and he made no mistake to equalise for his team. The game moved to extra-time and on 101 minutes the guile of Gary Donnelly unlocked the visitors’ defence to find Conall Curran who finished confidently from 15 yards to put Comrades ahead for the first time in the game. In the dying moments of the game the visitors were caught out pressing forward when ‘keeper Ray was robbed of the ball just inside the Mallards half by Liam Hassin who ran forward to slot home into the empty net and seal victory for Comrades.