Author: Scott

We travel to Brandywell Stadium tomorrow afternoon to take on Institute in our first post-split fixture in the Lough 41 Championship.

Match Info

When: Saturday 9^th April – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Brandywell Stadium

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

The Opponents

Institute currently sit in 10^th position in the Lough 41 Championship, just 4 points behind the Comrades. Last gameweek, Institute picked up an important three points with victory over Knockbreda at Breda Park. The win sees Brian Donaghey’s side leapfrog ‘Breda out of the bottom two. They moved in front on 11 minutes when Mark McFadden fired past Daniel Oates from ten yards after being teed up by Gareth Brown. ‘Breda levelled just three minutes later, however, through Max Greer from close range after Gareth Muldoon couldn’t keep the ball out. The visitors might have restored their advantage when Conor Quigley hit the post from a corner but, on 20 minutes, they did go back in front when McFadden slotted home the rebound after Ian Parkhill’s initial effort had to kept out. That was how it stayed until just before the hour when Nathan Johnston fired home Knockbreda’s second equaliser from Liam McKenna’s cut back. Institute came close to going back in front with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining but Jamie Dunne’s free-kick struck the bar while Liam Walsh fired the rebound over. But the winner came with a couple of minutes to go through Brendan McLaughlin with a low finish past Oates.

The Comrades

The Comrades enter the post-split period sitting in 9^th position, 6 points behind Dundela in 8^th and 4 points ahead of tomorrow’s opponents, Institute. During our last game before the split, Newry City took a step closer to the Lough 41 Championship title with a comprehensive defeat of the Comrades at Dixon Park. Darren Mullen’s side are four points clear at the top of the table going into the final five games of the campaign, and effectively just one win away to securing at least a promotion play-off spot. However, they had to come from behind to get the better of Ballyclare after Tom Mathieson had opened the scoring on 40 minutes after being played through by Michael Smith. Newry levelled eight minutes after the break, however, when James Teelan gave Jack Ferguson no chance with a decent finish before, three minutes after that, Darren King got on the end of a Daniel Hughes cross to edge the visitors into the lead. They extended their advantage on 69 minutes through half-time substitute Declan Carville’s looping header at the back post, with the same player adding a fourth soon after with a strike through a crowded area into the corner of the net. Then, with three minutes remaining, Hughes completed the scoring with an effort into the far corner. Newly appointed boss, Stephen Small said “The players need to adopt that mindset in terms of their desire to go and win games and what we need to do is try and finish top of our mini-league at the tale end of the table. It’s going to take all of us to be tight as a group, showing great desire and work ethic”.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, two goals late in the second half saw Institute come from behind to defeat Ballyclare Comrades at Dixon Park. The home side needed just ten minutes to open the scoring when an Ian Fletcher cross deep into the box was only partially cleared allowing Liam Hassin to get to the ball and nod past John Connolly. Ballyclare could have doubled their advantage before the break when new signing Caiolan Brennan tested Connolly with an effort from just outside the box, before teeing Michael Smith up moments later to fire just over. Brennan was involved again just after the hour when he nodded the ball on for fellow transfer window arrival Ryan Arthur while Arthur himself turned provider soon after with a free-kick to the back post but Hassin could only head slightly off target. However, Institute levelled on 77 minutes when Brendan McLaughlin, who had come close a few minutes earlier, headed past Jack Ferguson. Then, right at the death, Mark McFadden knocked home what proved to be Institute’s winner with a fantastic individual finish with the last kick of the game.

We welcome Newry City to Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon in our final Lough 41 Championship fixture before the split.

Match Info

When: Saturday 26^th March – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (Concession) BUY ONE GET ONE FREE WITH THE NATIONAL LOTTERY FOOTBALL WEEKENDS – Following payment of match admission, the match attendees must clearly display their TNL ticket at the gate to matchday staff to be eligible for the offer. This will allow free admission for their accompanied guest free of charge. Each club has been given a limit of 150 tickets, which will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

Match Sponsor: Montgomery Transport Group

Ball Sponsor: Terry Coulter Cars

The Opponents

Newry City are guaranteed to go into the split sitting top of the table as they’re currently 4 points ahead of second place Annagh United. Last week, leaders Newry City and bottom of the table Queen’s University played out a scoreless draw at The Showgrounds.

The Comrades

Last week, Dundela swept to a comfortable three-goal defeat of Ballyclare Comrades at Wilgar Park. Eamonn Fyfe opened the scoring as early as the eighth minute after getting on the end of a ball over the top and beating keeper Richard Purcell one-on-one. Then, after a quarter-of-an-hour, David Fearon made it 2-0 with a tap in after Ryan McKay had done well down the left before delivering the ball into the box. That was how it stayed until the final few minutes when Rhys Annett added a third after he skipped past a couple of defenders, took it past Purcell and slotted into the empty net. The result means Stephen Small’s new side will go into the split in 9^th position.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, Ballyclare Comrades upset the form book to defeat leaders Newry City at The Showgrounds. The Comrades hadn’t picked up a league win since mid-October while Darren Mullen’s City, with an eight point advantage at the top, hadn’t lost from around the same time. But that all counted for nothing at a foggy Showgrounds which saw the visitors emerge victorious courtesy of Ciaran Heggarty’s stunning 30-yard drive towards the end of the first half. Just before that Newry might have broken the deadlock but Daniel Hughes was denied by Jack Ferguson with the rebound going into the side netting. Newry did see a lot of the ball after the break but they failed to turn their possession into anything productive in front of goal and thus slipped to a first defeat in over two months.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 19^th March – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Wilgar Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

The Opponents

Dundela are flying at the moment as the most in-form team in the league, with 4 wins and 1 draw from their last 5 outings. Last week, Dundela came out on top by the odd goal in five following an entertaining East Belfast derby with HW Welders at the Blanchflower Stadium. The Duns raced into an early lead when, around the ten minute mark, David Fearon finished low into the bottom corner from six yards following good build up play from David McMaster. That was how it stayed for the remainder of the first half until, not long after the interval, Scott Davidson levelled for the Welders with a looping finish over Marc Matthews. Then, five minutes after that, David Graham fired the home side in front from the six yard box after fantastic team move. Back came Dundela through Eamonn Fyfe just after the hour with the final touch over the line after Tony Kane’s free-kick caused all sorts of confusion. And Niall Currie’s side regained the lead – and ultimately the points – with four minutes remaining with Fearon’s second of the night, a fantastic long range effort which proved to be too strong for Joe McGovern.

The Comrades

Last week, the Comrades got back to winning ways as we picked up our first win in almost two-and-a-half months with victory over Dergview at Dixon Park. Under the watchful eye of incoming boss Stephen Small, 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. The result keeps the Comrades in 9^th position in the Lough 41 Championship, 3 points behind Dundela in 8^th.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, Dundela swept to a three-goal Friday night victory over Ballyclare Comrades at Wilgar Park. The visitors started on the front foot, enjoying plenty of possession during the opening exchanges but they fell behind on 19 minutes when Jay Magee found the net with a header from a corner. Ballyclare attempted to work their way back into the game with Liam Hassin and Joe Tully both testing Marc Matthews but the home keeper proved equal to every challenge thrown at him. Still trailing, Ballyclare upped the tempo after the break and came close early on when Tully saw a header deflected over the bar. Liam McKenna then connected with a Ciaran Dobbin cross but, again, this went over as did another Tully effort on the hour. Then, with ten minutes remaining, Ballyclare were awarded a spot-kick but it was an evening when Matthews was proving unbeatable as he made the save from Chris Ramsey. That proved to be a decisive moment when the Duns immediately broke down the other end and doubled their advantage through Jordan Hughes before, with three minutes remaining, David McMaster made sure by turning home number three for Niall Currie’s side.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 12^th March – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

Match Sponsor: Beechview Developments

Ball Sponsor: Antrim & Newtownabbey Sports Forum

The Opponents

Dergview are right in the thick of top-6 battle, sitting in 7^th position, just 3 points behind Ards in 6^th with a game-in-hand. Last week, Dergview and Knockbreda battled to an equal share of the points and goals in a high scoring encounter at Darragh Park. The visitors moved in front after just six minutes through former Comrades forward, Ciaran Heggarty, but the home side levelled soon after courtesy of Jamie Brown’s finish. Tommy Canning’s side then seized the lead themselves midway through the first half when Matthew Kirk converted from the spot but Heggarty bagged his second of the game not long after the break to bring ‘Breda back level. And the east Belfast side thought they had secured the points when, four minutes from time, another former Comrades player, Liam McKenna knocked home their third with a low shot on the counter attack but, in the end, it finished honours even when Mikhail Kennedy scored five minutes into stoppage time.

The Comrades

The Comrades conceded a late sucker punch during the week as Conor Kerr struck deep into stoppage time to secure a point for Loughgall from Ballyclare Comrades’ visit to Lakeview Park. The visitors, playing under caretaker boss Chris Ramsey following Paul Harbinson’s recent departure, moved in front after half-an-hour under Liam Hassin. But their hopes of picking up only their second victory since the start of November were dashed in the 95th minute were dashed when Kerr popped up to equalise for the Villagers.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, two goals midway through the second half saw Dergview defeat Ballyclare Comrades at Darragh Park. Scoreless at the break, Ballyclare came close to open the scoring on a number of occasions. Ciaran Heggarty flashed a header just wide early on before turning provider to tee up Gary Donnelly to send a 20-yard effort the wrong side of the target. Heggarty continued to be a threat, with another header coming from a Lee McCune cross while, early in the second half, he twice tested Dergview keeper Alan Buchanan albeit with no success. However, that all counted for nothing on 67 minutes when the home side moved in front courtesy of Cathal Farren’s successfully converted spot-kick. Then, just six minutes after that, it was 2-0 after a good team move teed Matthew Kirk up to beat Richard Purcell with a sublime finish.

We travel to Lakeview Park tomorrow evening to take on Loughgall in this rescheduled Lough 41 Championship fixture from February.

Match Info

When: Tuesday 8^th March – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Lakeview Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

The Opponents

The Villagers currently occupy 5th spot in the Lough 41 Championship. Last week Nathaniel Ferris bagged a second half double as Loughgall came from behind to defeat HW Welders at the Blanchflower Stadium. The Welders moved in front as early as the eighth minute when Michael McLellan rushed in to connect with a right-sided cross from Jonny Frazer to send a diving header home at the back post. That was how it stayed until three minutes into the second half when Ferris levelled after heading Tiernan Kelly’s volley from the edge of the area past Joe McGovern. And the visitors went on to claim the points with a second for Ferris four minutes from time after he met a corner to flick the winner beyond McGovern.

The Comrades

It was a weekend to forget for the managerless Comrades as Ards hit five past us at Clandeboye Park. Matt Tipton’s side opened the scoring after 16 minutes when David McAllister curled a cross onto the edge of the six yard box for Ross Arthurs to control and stab past Jack Ferguson. Daniel Reynolds added a second just after the half-hour mark when he fired into the roof of the net at the back post after a corner had been flicked on from the left. And it got worse for the visitors when they fell further behind just before the break. Reynolds turned provider with a low ball across the face of goal for McAllister to touch home at the left post. That was how it stayed until the 79th minute when McAllister doubled his tally from the left side of the area from Salou Jallow’s cross from wide on the right, albeit via a deflection off Ryan Arthur. Then, with five minutes to go, Eamonn Scannell completed the scoring after sliding in to turn home Benny Igiehon’s ball from the right.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, Loughgall came away from Dixon Park with all 3 points after defeating the Comrades 3-0. 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. However, Ferris was sent-off not long after alongside Ballyclare’s Jason Johnston after the pair clashed.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 5^th March – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Clandeboye Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

The Opponents

Last week Ards and Dergview carved out a 2-2 draw at Darragh Park just a week after the venue was left underwater because of the recent storms. Matthew Kirk fired Dergview in front on 18 minutes with a successfully converted spot-kick but Ards hit back through Christopher Crane’s 30-yard effort into the top corner to level after half-an-hour. That was how it stayed until the 59th minute when Niall Fielding restored Dergview’s advantage with another long range strike but, as before, the visitors levelled soon after when Ross Arthurs turned home a header. The draw keeps Ards in 6^th position, just a point ahead of Dergview who have a game in hand.

The Comrades

Ballyclare Comrades and Queen’s University battled to a 1-1 draw at Dixon Park with both goals coming in the first half. The home side came close to breaking the deadlock early on when an Ian Fletcher free-kick was headed against the crossbar by a visiting defender before, from the follow up, Michael Smith also directed his header against the woodwork. But Ballyclare did find a way through on 14 minutes courtesy of Kyle Beggs’ cross-come-shot which bypassed everyone to end up in the net. However the Students levelled just before the half-hour mark through Leon Bonnes after he got his head to a corner while, on the stroke of half-time, Fletcher was on hand to clear the ball off the line. The second half was a much less lively affair with neither side able to settle nor grab what could well have been the winner. The draw proved to be the last game in charge for Paul Harbinson, after a run of bad form over the last lot of months lead to the Comrades dropping to 9^th position in the table. Club Captain, Chris Ramsey, will be in charge of all first team affairs on a caretaker basis while the Board of Directors carries out a recruitment process for a new Manager. Chris will be assisted by Adam McCart, Rob Murdie and Michael Higgins.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, Ards swept to a 4-2 victory over Ballyclare Comrades at Dixon Park in December. Ards might have moved in front as early as the opening minute when presented with a penalty but Kyle Calderwood’s spot-kick was saved by Jack Ferguson. The deadlock was broken on ten minutes, however, when Ciaran Heggarty nodded Ballyclare in front from Ian Fletcher’s free-kick. However, two goals in quick succession midway through the first half tipped the balance in Ards’ favour. Conall McGrandles levelled on 21 minutes with a header from Patrick Cafolla’s corner before, four minutes after that, Ross Arthurs made it 2-1 with a finish in off an upright. Ards further extended their advantage just before the hour when Cafolla found the net but Ballyclare came back into proceedings on 73 minutes through Chris Ramsey’s header from Ashton McDermott’s cross. But Salou Jallow made sure of the points for Ards deep into stoppage time after rounding Ferguson to calmly slot home.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 26^th February – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

Match Sponsor: Metal Technology

Ball Sponsor: SM Plumbing & Heating

The Opponents

Queen’s currently occupy bottom spot in the Lough 41 Championship. With a lot of league games postponed last week due to the conditions, their last outing was away to Dundela where a goal in each half saw Dundela get the better of Queen’s at Wilgar Park. The Duns moved in front after 12 minutes when, following a David McMaster corner, some confusion in the box eventually ended with Michael Kerr getting the final touch to scramble the ball home. That was how it stayed until just after the hour when Spencer Beattie, a recent arrival from Ballymena United, slid the ball into the bottom corner following some good work down the right by Rhys Annett.

The Comrades

The Comrades also had last week’s fixture against Loughgall postponed due to the conditions. Our last outing was the 2-1 away defeat to Harland & Wolff Welders on the 11^th February. Ballyclare started brightly and created a number of half chances during the opening exchanges through Kyle Beggs and Caiolan Brennan. However, somewhat against the run of play, the deadlock was broken on 28 minutes when Gary Lavery fired the Welders in front with an effort from distance which went low and hard under keeper Richard Purcell into the bottom corner. Then, on the hour, Jonny Frazer made it 2-0 with a sweeping right foot finish from just inside the area after Scott McMillan had crossed from the right. The Comrades pulled a goal back ten minutes after that. Brennan sent a corner over from the left which Jason Johnston connected with to head home at the back post.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, Queen’s University took home all 3 points with a two-goal victory over Ballyclare Comrades at Dixon Park. Despite the eventual outcome Ballyclare enjoyed numerous chances during the scoreless first half with Queen’s keeper Daniel Devine doing well to deny Lee McCune, Liam McKenna and Ian Fletcher at various points during the opening 45 minutes. Queen’s moved in front just four minutes after the break through Matthew McManus who got his head to a free-kick delivered from wide on the flank to glance the ball past Richard Purcell. The home side attempted to get back into the game but, once again, Devine was equal to efforts from McKenna and Joe Tully. The visitors doubled their advantage, and made sure of the points, with just under a quarter-of-an-hour remaining. Awarded a spot-kick, Chris Middleton’s initial effort had to be retaken but Purcell saved the second attempt only for Middleton to ultimately find the net on the rebound.