Category: Pre-Match Guide

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

Match Info

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

Where: Ferney Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Ballinamallard United picked up the North-West Senior Cup during the week. The Mallards celebrated a 4-1 win against a young Coleraine side at The Showgrounds as a hat-trick from Patrick Ferry eased Harry McConkey’s side to victory. The Championship side would find themselves 3-0 up at the break as Ferry latched onto a cross from Nick Palmer’s cross, before the striker seized upon poor defending to double his tally just after the half-hour mark. Caolan McAleer was also on the scoresheet for the visitors as he let fly from distance and the tie was put beyond doubt as Ferry headed home from McAleer’s corner kick in the second-half. There would be some late joy for the Bannsiders as Eamon Fyfe netted a late consolation for the hosts with a cracking strike from distance. The success marks a second triumph for the Mallards in the competition and the perfect tonic after losing last year’s decider to Dergview.

The Comrades

A single goal was enough to see Comrades advance to the last eight of Irish Cup with a win over Institute at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium last week. The hosts started the stronger of the teams and piled on early pressure. Inside three minutes they came close when McFeely skipped past a challenge and shot just wide of the target from the edge of the area. Gradually Comrades began to get a foothold in the game. On 13 minutes Alan McMurtry got forward to run onto a ball laid into his path by Calvin McCurry, but his first-time shot from 20 yards effort rose over the bar. Stephen Small’s side looked a different proposition in the second half and were giving the hosts plenty to worry about. The deadlock was broken on 58 minutes when Cillin Gilmour whipped the ball in with pace from a free kick taken just outside the left edge of the box, and it was met by a perfectly flicked header by Cónal McGrandles which flew past the ‘keeper and into the roof of the net. The visitors saw the remainder of the game out to seal a win deserved on their second half performance.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in November, ten-man Ballinamallard United battled back to earn a draw from Ballyclare Comrades’ visit to Ferney Park. The visitors 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.

We travel to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium tomorrow afternoon to take on Institute in the next round of the Samuel Gelston’s Irish Whiskey Irish Cup.

Match Info

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

Where: Dixon Park

What: Samuel Gelston’s Irish Whiskey Irish Cup

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Institute and Ards battled to a share of the spoils at the Brandywell last week. Both goals came midway through the first half, with ‘Stute moving in front on 34 minutes when Calvin McCallion – following his recent switch from Dergview – made the most of a mistake by keeper Alex Moore to open the scoring.  However, it proved to be a short lived lead after, barely three minutes later, Patrick Cafolla levelled for Ards with a well placed header.

The Comrades

Loughgall hit two late goals to come from behind to defeat Ballyclare Comrades at Lakeview Park and return to the top of the Championship during the week. The Villagers had the ball in the net after just three minutes but Benjamin Magee’s finish was ruled out offside. The deadlock was broken just before the half-hour mark, however, when Ballyclare’s Gary Donnelly converted from the spot after Callum Ferris had been brought down inside the area. Ballyclare were reduced to ten men on 60 minutes after Ferris was shown a straight red card for violent conduct. It took Loughgall until the 86th minute to make their numerical advantage count through Nathaniel Ferris’ equaliser following a period of pressure. Then, deep into stoppage time, Pablo Andrade tucked home the winner after a scramble in front of goal.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in November, Conall Curran knocked home the only goal of the game as Ballyclare Comrades defeated Institute at Dixon Park. The former Larne man struck on 81 minutes from close range after connecting with a low ball delivered by Kyle Beggs.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 28^th January – 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: C A Jamison Builders

Ball Sponsor: Ross’s Joint Butchers

The Opponents

Bottom of the table Knockbreda held league leaders, Annagh United to a scoreless draw last week. Annagh could have claimed all three points when awarded a spot-kick early in the second half but recent arrival Gerard Storey could only send the penalty wide of the left post. The result moves ‘Breda on to 17 points in the Lough 41 Championship, 4 points behind Dergview in 11^th.

The Comrades

Championship leaders Annagh United fought back from two goals down to earn a point away to Ballyclare Comrades. Scoreless at the break, Cillin Gilmour fired Ballyclare in front moments after the interval when the officials ruled his effort had crept over the line despite an attempted clearance. Then, five minutes after that, he doubled the home lead with a free-kick from distance which dipped just under the bar. That was how it stayed until seven minutes from time when Craig Taylor tucked the ball inside the far post on the counter attack. And Annagh secured a point in the sixth minute of added time when Niall McGinley found the net in a dramatic finale to the game.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in December 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.

We welcome Annagh United to Dixon Park this evening for our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Tuesday 24^th January – Kick-Off 7:45pm

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: Mortgage Shop Ballyclare

The Opponents

Annagh United moved back to the top of the Lough 41 Championship on Saturday despite being held to a scoreless draw at home to bottom of the table Knockbreda. Ciaran McGurgan’s side capitalised on morning leaders Loughgall losing to Dundela to leapfrog them into pole position. They could have claimed all three points when awarded a spot-kick early in the second half but recent arrival Gerard Storey could only send the penalty wide of the left post.

The Comrades

The Comrades had a weekend to forget with a 5-1 away defeat to Harland & Wolff Welders. The Welders opened the scoring on 7 minutes with a free kick 20 yards out as McLellan’s shot went underneath the wall and into the net past the unsighted ‘keeper. On 42 minutes the Comrades consolidated their position with a second goal. Comrades’ defence was completely exposed when McLellan got free to deliver a ball in from the right to where Ferguson was unmarked at the back post to head in a simple finish. The Comrades came out much more on the front foot in the second half and two minutes into the half they pulled a goal back when Calvin McCurry played a dangerous ball into the 6-yards box which the ‘keeper blocked, but the ball rebounded off a defender and into the net for an own goal. On 59 minutes the wind was completely taken from the visitors’ sails as the hosts re-established a two-goal advantage. Comrades were asleep at a free- kick as Welders took it short and then played the ball across to where Ferguson slid in unchallenged at the far post to score from close range. On 70 minutes the hosts grabbed a fourth. The ball was given away cheaply by Comrades inside their own half and then quickly played up to McLellan, who quickly fired in a good finish from just inside the box. Comrades’ misery was completed two minutes into added time when they conceded a fifth goal with McClay striking a fine effort from outside the box.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in October, both teams had to settle for a point at the BMG Arena. 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 Blanchflower Stadium tomorrow afternoon to take on HW Welders in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 21^st January – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Blanchflower Stadium

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Last week, the Welders were defeated 3-1 away to Warrenpoint Town. Ryan Swan opened the scoring for ‘Point on 19 minutes after he pounced on the loose ball after Welders keeper Michael Argyrides had kept out an initial effort. The Welders levelled just four minutes later, however, when Michael McLellan got his head to a cross from the left to nod past Conor Mitchell. Swan doubled Warrenpoint’s lead eight minutes into the second half after getting the final touch when the ball came back off an upright from Steven Ball’s effort. Then, a couple of minutes after that, Adam Carroll added a third following some good play to wrap the scoring up.

The Comrades

The Comrades had a weekend to forget with a 4-0 home defeat to Dergview. After hitting the bar in the first minute Tommy Canning’s side moved in front on ten minutes when Graham Crown made their early pressure count with a header past Declan Breen. Mikhail Kennedy added a second midway through the first half with a nice finish before, just short of the half-hour mark, Crown doubled his tally for the afternoon. Jamie Brown then completed the scoring on 62 minutes to ensure Dergview’s second successive league victory.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in November, neither Ballyclare Comrades nor HW Welders could find the net at Dixon Park 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.

We welcome Annagh United to Dixon Park this evening for our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Tuesday 17^th January – Kick-Off 7:45pm

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: Mortgage Shop Ballyclare

The Opponents

Annagh United moved level on points at the top of the table with victory over Newington at Solitude on Saturday. Odhran Smyth opened the scoring for the visitors after just two minutes after combining well with Ruairi McDonald. That was how it stayed until just before the hour mark when McDonald got on the scoresheet himself with a composed finish into the top corner. Michael Morgan pulled one back for the Swans with seven minutes remaining but Annagh held on to secure the win.

The Comrades

The Comrades had a weekend to forget with a 4-0 home defeat to Dergview. After hitting the bar in the first minute Tommy Canning’s side moved in front on ten minutes when Graham Crown made their early pressure count with a header past Declan Breen. Mikhail Kennedy added a second midway through the first half with a nice finish before, just short of the half-hour mark, Crown doubled his tally for the afternoon. Jamie Brown then completed the scoring on 62 minutes to ensure Dergview’s second successive league victory.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in October, both teams had to settle for a point at the BMG Arena. 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 welcome Dergview to Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon for our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 14^th January – 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: Riverside Autowash

The Opponents

Last week, Dergview exited the Irish Cup at the hands of reigning champions Crusaders. Dean Ebbe scored his first goal for Crusaders when he headed home Jordan Forsythe’s cross from the right-hand side to give the defending champions the lead in the fourth minute. The second came when Philip Lowry’s strike was originally denied by Alan Buchanan, but Ebbe knocked in the rebound on the 49th minute. Just two minutes later the striker got his hat-trick when a looping header made it 3-0. The home side got their fourth when Jordan Owens bundled Ross Clarke’s corner over the line, after busy keeper Buchanan misjudged the cross. Clever build-up play between Lowry and Declan Caddell resulted in the fifth goal with Lowry’s resulting strike from outside the box finding the back of the net. Caddell was in action again when his pass from the wing found Jonathan McMurray, who cut inside the box before firing home to complete the rout.

The Comrades

Despite playing most of the match with ten men, Comrades advanced to the next round of the Irish Cup with a narrow but deserved win over Dollingstown. The Comrades took the lead in the 15th minute. A Gary Donnelly cross led to the goal, with his ball played in from the right being tucked away by a cushioned finish across the ‘keeper by Cathal Farren from 6 yards out. It was a lead the hosts held for the remainder of the game despite being reduced to ten men on the 36^th minute after Owen McConville was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in November, Dergview made it two wins in a row with victory over Ballyclare Comrades at Dixon Park. Conall McGrandles might have given the home side the advantage at half-time only to clip the crossbar on 38 minutes. Ballyclare had the ball in the net early in the second half but Calvin McCurry’s finish was ruled out offside. And they hit the woodwork again on 72 minutes when McCurry cut in from the right only to send his effort against the far post. But what proved to be the winner came on 78 minutes through Bobby Deane who headed a corner at the far post beyond Declan Breen.

We welcome Dollingstown to Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon for the first round of this season’s Samuel Gelston’s Irish Cup.

Match Info

When: Saturday 7^th January – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Samuel Gelston’s Irish Cup

Entry: Pay at the gate – £10 (Adult) / £5 (Concession)

Match Sponsor: Brackenwood Property & Estate Management

Ball Sponsor: Red Mills Dog Food

The Opponents

Last week, two early goals saw Dollingstown defeat Portstewart at Planter’s Park. Cameron Purdy opened the scoring as early as the seventh minute before Daniel Gordon doubled up after a quarter-of-an-hour. The win sees the Dollybirds move into fourth spot in the Lough 41 Premier Intermediate table with games in hand over the sides above them.

The Comrades

Owen McConville bagged the late winner as Ballyclare Comrades defeated Warrenpoint Town at Milltown. Scoreless at the break, the home side came closest to breaking the deadlock early on when Ryan Swan turned an effort against an upright. ‘Point hit the post for a second time early in the second half, this time through Fra McCaffrey before a Steven Ball set piece suffered a similar fate after the hour. However, it was the visitors that left with all three points when McConville was on hand to head home a Gary Donnelly corner with just three minutes to go.

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.