Author: Scott

We welcome Ballinamallard United to Dixon Park tomorrow evening for the first round of the Bet McLean League Cup.

Match Info

When: Tuesday 13^th September – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Bet McLean League Cup – Round 1

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (OAP & U16) / £3 (U12 in the company of an adult). A reminder to all season ticket holders that season tickets are not valid for cup competitions.

Match & Ball Sponsor: Ballyclare Comrades FC Supporters Club

The Opponents

The Mallards are yet to record a victory in the Lough 41 Championship after their opening 5 fixtures this season. Their last outing was a 2-1 home defeat to Dundela at Ferney Park. The visitors moved in front after 11 minutes through Eamon Fyfe who connected with a Tony Kane corner to head past keeper Michael Lynch. Ballinamallard levelled, however, around the half-hour mark through Caolan McAleer. And that was how it stayed until midway through the second half when supersub Rhys Annett followed up with the winner after Kane’s initial effort had been pushed away.

The Comrades

The Comrades suffered the disappointment of a penalty shoot-out defeat to Dundela last week to exit the County Antrim Shield away at Wilgar Park. The home side started the strongest and took a deserved lead on 10 minutes when Igiehon received the ball in the box after an incisive thrust up the right and turned neatly to fire low into the far corner of the net. Dundela looked very capable of increasing their lead and they would have only for great goalkeeping from Declan Breen. The Comrades levelled the scores in the 68th minute when Joe Tully played a ball which eluded the home defence and set substitute Conall Curran free in the box and he coolly knocked the ball over the ‘keeper from 6 yards. Both sides pushed for a winner, however, it was the Comrades who may have come closest on the 89th minute when Darius Roohi played a great ball in from the left edge of the box which was met by a diving Joe Tully header from 9 yards that came out off the underside of the bar. Then, from the rebound, ‘keeper Cairns produced a great save to turn Conall Curran’s effort onto the bar. At the final whistle, the match moved straight to penalties to decide the winner. The hosts went first, and Magee scored, with Darius Roohi then levelling with Comrades’ opening penalty. However, it was Comrades who were the first to blink when Cairns saved Joe Tully’s effort which was Comrades second. All the next penalties were converted with Gary Donnelly and Conall Currran successful for Comrades until Dundela had the chance to wrap up victory with their fifth penalty. Goalkeeper Cairns stepped up to take it but was foiled by a save from Declan Breen. However, Cairns was to be the Dundela hero after all as he saved the next penalty taken by Elliot McKim to send his team through.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, the Comrades and Mallards fought out a scoreless draw in the season opener at Dixon Park. Ballinamallard squandered an early chance to seize the advantage when, after a quarter-of-an-hour, BJ Banda struck the crossbar with a penalty after he had been brought down by Conall McGrandles. For Ballyclare Joe Tully perhaps came closest just before the break only to be denied by a goalline Mark Stafford clearance. Stafford saved the Mallards again later in the game with another header off the line to thwart Cathal Farren while Banda had a late chance only to send the ball wide from a good position.

We travel to Wilgar Park tomorrow evening to take on Dundela in the first round of the ToalsBet Co Antrim Shield.

Match Info

When: Tuesday 6^th September – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Wilgar Park

What: ToalsBet Co Antrim Shield – Round 1

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Dundela won on the road on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat of Ballinamallard United at Ferney Park. The visitors moved in front after 11 minutes through Eamon Fyfe who connected with a Tony Kane corner to head past keeper Michael Lynch. Ballinamallard levelled, however, around the half-hour mark through Caolan McAleer. And that was how it stayed until midway through the second half when supersub Rhys Annett followed up with the winner after Kane’s initial effort had been pushed away.

The Comrades

The Comrades edged past Knockbreda by the odd goal in five at Dixon Park on Saturday. 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.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, just two weeks ago, the Comrades defeated Dundela at Wilgar Park thanks to a goal in each half. Calvin McCurry opened the scoring for the visitors after 20 minutes when Duns keeper Neil Shields failed to clear the ball. That was how it stayed until nine minutes into the second half after Darius Roohi doubled Ballyclare’s advantage despite a good start from the home side.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 3^rd September – 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: Agnew, Mitchell & Cairns Accountants

Ball Sponsor: Jenkins Butchers, Main Street Ballyclare & Station Road Doagh

The Opponents

A late Anthony Burns goal proved to be the difference between Knockbreda and Newington at ‘Breda Park last week. The 27-year-old struck right at the end of normal time to secure the points for the home side a few moments after the visitors had been reduced to ten men following Fra Brennan’s dismissal for a second bookable offence. Knockbreda currently occupy 5^th position in the Lough 41 Championship table, just 1 point behind the Comrades.

The Comrades

The Comrades fell to their first defeat of the season last week as 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. The result keeps The Comrades on 7 points from the opening 4 games, sitting 4^th in the Lough 41 Championship table.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in April 2022, they shared six goals in an entertaining encounter at Dixon Park. The Comrades moved in front after a quarter-of-an-hour when Adam McCart beat Daniel Oates with a bullet header but just a couple of minutes after that Ciaran Heggarty was on hand to level for ‘Breda. Ballyclare scored twice early in the second half to move firmly into the lead. Jason Johnston nodded home a Ryan Arthur free-kick before Liam Hassin tapped home a third after Kyle Beggs had sent the ball to the back post. ‘Breda reduced the deficit on 72 minutes through Karl Hamill on the counter attack before Lee McGreevy bagged the equaliser in stoppage time.

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

Match Info

When: Friday 26^th August – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Clandeboye Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

The Opponents

There was late drama at the BMG Arena on Tuesday night where Ards were beaten 2-1 by Annagh United. Scoreless at the break, Ross Arthurs opened the scoring for Ards a couple of minutes into the second half when he rose to meet a Daniel Reynolds cross. The home side levelled with just over an hour on the clock when Stephen Murray lifted the ball over Ards keeper Alex Moore. Then, deep into stoppage time, Conor Mullen met Craig Taylor’s cross to head home the winner at the far post. The result puts Ards in 8^th position in the Lough 41 Championship table after 3 games with 1 win and 2 defeats.

The Comrades

A goal in each half helped The Comrades defeat Dundela at Wilgar Park on Tuesday night. Calvin McCurry opened the scoring for the visitors after 20 minutes when Duns keeper Neil Shields failed to clear the ball. That was how it stayed until nine minutes into the second half after Darius Roohi doubled Ballyclare’s advantage despite a good start from the home side. The Comrades, still yet to concede a goal in the 22/23 Lough 41 Championship campaign, currently sit in 3^rd position on the table.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, Benny Igiehon grabbed the only goal of the game as Ards defeated Ballyclare Comrades in a Friday night in April fixture at Dixon Park. The visitors might have moved in front midway through the first half when Daniel Reynolds did well to send a cross over from the right but Ryan Arthur was on hand to turn the ball over as Igiehon looked poised to pounce. Ross Arthurs then found himself through on goal a short time later but Comrades keeper Richard Purcell did well to deal with the danger. But the deadlock was broken on 37 minutes when Arthurs knocked the ball on into the area with an overhead kick for Igiehon to touch past Purcell under pressure from Adam McCart. Igiehon might have added a second after the break but he couldn’t bring the ball under control in front of goal after Eamon Scannell had crossed from Christopher Crane’s punt forward. Ards were denied a second later in the game when Purcell was called into action to make a double save to keep out substitute Jay Boyd and then Scannell while Ballyclare applied some pressure in the closing stages but couldn’t do enough to force an equaliser.

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

Match Info

When: Tuesday 23^rd August – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Wilgar Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

The Opponents

Dundela made it two wins from two at the weekend with a three-goal defeat of Warrenpoint Town at Milltown. The visitors moved in front just before the half-hour mark when, following a good move down the left, William Faulkner sent a confident finish past keeper Conor Mitchell. It was a lead the Duns sat on until the 83rd minute when substitute Rhys Annett doubled up … and then added a third for Niall Currie’s side just two minutes after that!

The Comrades

At the weekend, the Comrades swept to victory over Dergview at Darragh Park thanks to three second half goals. Scoreless at the break, the home side were reduced to ten men on the stroke of half-time when Bobby Deane was dismissed for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. The visitors made their numerical advantage count just after the hour when Ian Fletcher opened the scoring before, on 77 minutes, Liam Hassin made it 2-0 on the counterattack. Northern Ireland U21 international Calvin McCurry then completed the scoring in stoppage time.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in the last game of the 21/22 campaign, Ballyclare Comrades ended their season on a high note with victory over Dundela at Dixon Park. Kyle Beggs opened the scoring for Ballyclare with a great finish midway through the first half albeit somewhat against the run of play. And they doubled their advantage on 65 minutes when Caiolan Brennan forced the ball over the line after Adam Gray’s initial effort fell into his path. Dundela pulled one back soon after that, however, when the unfortunate Adam McCart headed into his own net whilst attempting to clear a cross from the left.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 20^th August – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Darragh Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

The Opponents

Dergview got off to a poor start against Championship debutants, Newington, last week with a 4-1 defeat at Solitude. Patrick Downey opened the scoring for the Swans as early as the first minute after pouncing on a defensive mix up, before skipper Richard Gowdy added a second after a quarter-of-an-hour. Darren Stuart made it 3-0 a couple of minutes after that on the counter attack before Dergview pulled one back through Calvin McCallion after the ball fell loose. That was how it stayed until the 74th minute when Stuart doubled his tally to complete a memorable afternoon for Newington.

The Comrades

Ballyclare Comrades and Ballinamallard United fought out a scoreless draw last week’s season opener at Dixon Park. The Mallards squandered an early chance to seize the advantage when, after a quarter-of-an-hour, BJ Banda struck the crossbar with a penalty after he had been brought down by Conall McGrandles. For Ballyclare, Joe Tully perhaps came closest just before the break only to be denied by a goalline Mark Stafford clearance. Stafford saved the Mallards again later in the game with another header off the line to thwart Cathal Farren while Banda had a late chance only to send the ball wide from a good position.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in March 2022, the Comrades got the better of Dergview with a 2-1 victory over Dergview at Dixon Park. The Comrades trailed at the break when Matthew Buchanan poked the visitors in front midway through the first half after connecting with a free-kick to the back post. However, Ballyclare levelled midway through the second half in somewhat bizarre circumstances. Awarded a penalty for a foul on Jason Johnston, Michael Smith saw his spot-kick saved twice but each time the referee ruled that the attempt be retaken after keeper Patrick McGarvey had come off his line. Then, at the third attempt and with a change of kicker, Ian Fletcher stepped up to bury the ball in the net. Spurred on by this, the home side edged into the lead on 77 minutes when Caiolan Brennan fired into the top corner from the edge of the box. And then, to make sure of the points, Kyle Beggs dispossessed a defender before squaring the ball for Liam Hassin to make it 3-1 with a tap in.

After 4 months of excitement and anticipation, we finally return to Lough 41 Championship action when we kick off the campaign at Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon against Ballinamallard United.

Match Info

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

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

Match Sponsor: Fleming & Cuthbert

Ball Sponsor: Arlene’s Hair & Beauty

The Opponents

The Mallards narrowly missed out on a promotion play-off last season when they finished third in the 21/22 Lough 41 Championship. Harry McConkey’s side will be looking to build on last season’s momentum with 3 points on the opening day.

The Comrades

The Comrades have seen 14 new faces arrive at Dixon Park over the summer. After 10 pre-season friendlies (6 against Premiership opponents) and 16 goals scored, all eyes will be on this Saturday’s opening fixture against Ballinamallard United. Having beaten the Mallards 5-1 in last season’s opening fixture, Stephen Small will be looking for a similar outcome with his new squad.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in January 2022 saw us share the spoils at Dixon Park in a game which saw the lead change twice. After a number of half chances at either end it fell to the home side to move in front on 37 minutes when Jason Johnston headed home after Kyle Beggs had delivered the ball into the box. It was an advantage the Comrades held until a couple of minutes into the second half when Callum Moorehead nodded past Richard Purcell to level matters. Then, on 64 minutes, Sean McEvoy edged the visitors into the lead with a well executed free-kick from around 30 yards low into the bottom corner. However, it again proved to be a short lived period on top after Andrew Mooney equalised for the Comrades with a left-foot strike from just inside the box after Caiolan Brennan had slipped him through on the left.