Category: Pre-Match Guide

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.

We welcome HW Welders to Dixon Park tomorrow evening for our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Tuesday 8^th November – 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: Antrim & Newtownabbey Sports Forum

Ball Sponsor: Antrim & Newtownabbey Sports Forum

The Opponents

At the weekend, HW Welders lost out by the odd goal in five away to Warrenpoint Town. Adam Wixted opened the scoring with a great finish after six minutes, and doubled the home advantage right at the end of the first half following a good team move. Ryan Swan made it 3-0 not long after the break with a tap in. However Matthew Ferguson pulled one back for the Welders against the run of play just short of the hour, before reducing the deficit further a short time after that with a back post header. But Barry Gray’s side held on to ultimately secure all three points.

The Comrades

The Comrades faced defeat at home to Dergview on Saturday. 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.

Last Time Out

The two sides met just last weekend when Ballyclare Comrades swept to a comprehensive five-goal victory over HW Welders at the Blanchflower Stadium. Darius Roohi opened the scoring for the visitors after 12 minutes when he followed up from Ian Fletcher’s free-kick against an upright. Calvin McCurry made it 2-0 on 26 minues after being played through Roohi before, ten minutes into the second half, Harry Wylie added a third with a deflected half volley into the top corner. Roohi doubled his tally just five minutes after that after receiving the ball from Gary Donnelly with Cathal Farren completing the scoring with a left-foot finish with around a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 5th 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: Gordon Estates

Ball Sponsor: GPS Hillhead Road

The Opponents

Last week, Dergview recorded their first win of the campaign with a narrow victory over Annagh United at Darragh Park. Mikhail Kennedy bagged what proved to be the only goal of the game just before the hour with a successfully converted spot-kick awarded following a foul on Jamie Browne.

The Comrades

Last week, Ballyclare Comrades swept to a comprehensive five-goal victory over HW Welders at the Blanchflower Stadium. Darius Roohi opened the scoring for the visitors after 12 minutes when he followed up from Ian Fletcher’s free-kick against an upright. Calvin McCurry made it 2-0 on 26 minues after being played through Roohi before, ten minutes into the second half, Harry Wylie added a third with a deflected half volley into the top corner. Roohi doubled his tally just five minutes after that after receiving the ball from Gary Donnelly with Cathal Farren completing the scoring with a left-foot finish with around a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in August, 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.Calvin McCurry then completed the scoring in stoppage time.

We travel to the Blanchflower Stadium tomorrow evening to take on Harland & Wolff Welders in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Friday 28^th October – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Blanchflower Stadium

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

HW Welders picked up their first win under new boss Paul Kee with a three goal victory over Knockbreda last week. Jonny Frazer fired the Welders in front on 36 minutes after connecting with a header from the left at the back post. Charlie Dornan made it 2-0 on 69 minutes after his header from a corner crept over the line before, a few minutes after that, Matthew Ferguson got on the end of a through ball to smash home the third for the Welders.

The Comrades

A storming second half saw The Comrades come from 2 goals down to beat Dundela 5-2 at Dixon Park last week. Niall Currie’s side raced into a two-goal lead when a Tony Kane free-kick came off home defender Caomhan McGuinness early on followed by a Benny Igiehon nodded finish before half-an-hour was up. Home skipper Ian Fletcher reduced the deficit just before the break with a well taken free-kick, and this inspired Ballyclare to go on to claim the points through Darius Roohi, Cathal Farren and Calvin McCurry in the second half. Roohi equalised following a goal mouth scramble, with Farren edging Ballyclare in front with a lovely finish after an hour. McCurry then added a fourth on 77 minutes with a dink over Neil Shields before Roohi doubled his tally deep into stoppage time.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in February 2022 at the Blanchflower Stadium, the Welders came away the victors. 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.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 22^nd October – 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: Montgomery Transport Group

Ball Sponsor: Country Diner Catering

The Opponents

Last week, Dundela closed the gap on second place with a narrow defeat of Knockbreda at Wilgar Park. Niall Currie’s side moved in front midway through the first half when, from a Tony Kane corner, Michael Kerr rose highest to head past Jonah Mitchell into the corner of the net. ‘Breda levelled early in the second half through Tamer Atrach who finished off a good team move from six yards. But the Duns regained the lead – and ultimately the points – a couple of minutes later after Eamon Fyfe cut in from the right to beat Nicholl from an acute angle.

The Comrades

The Comrades came away with a point from the BMG Arena last week as they drew 1-1 with 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. The result keeps the Comrades in 7^th position in the Lough 41 Championship.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, just last month, the Comrades suffered the disappointment of a penalty shoot-out defeat to Dundela 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.