Category: Pre-Match Guide

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 1^st January – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

Match Sponsor – Agnew, Mitchell & Cairns Accountants

Ball Sponsor – Ross’s Joint

The Opponents

Annagh United have been flying recently and currently occupy 2^nd spot in the Lough 41 Championship table. Their fixture at the beginning of the week vs Loughgall had to be postponed in line with the NIFL’s covid case policy. The last time Annagh played was away to Dundela on 18^th December where Stephen Murray bagged both goals as Annagh United brought Dundela’s recent good run of form to a halt at Wilgar Park. Scoreless at the break, Murray opened the scoring with just over a quarter-of-an-hour remaining when he ran onto Peter Duffin’s pass to slot past Marc Matthews. Then, with three minutes remaining, Murray brought his tally for the season to nine goals to complete the scoring.

The Comrades

The Comrades put an end to their long run without a league win with a victory against league leaders Newry City on a foggy day in the border town on Monday. After an even opening period when Comrades were able to get forward on a number of occasions, the hosts began to dominate possession, although they were largely frustrated in the first half by some resolute defending from the visitors. In the 37th minute the visitors stunned the large holiday home crowd with a superb goal to take the lead. Lee McCune surged forward from left-back and then played a ball across which deflected into the path of Ciaran Heggarty. The young striker had his back to goal 25 yards out but produced a wonderful turn and shot which saw the ball dip over the outstretched hand of the ‘keeper and under the bar. The second half saw the Comrades defend well all over the pitch as they proved very difficult to break down and the visitors held out gallantly in the final minutes to secure a morale-boosting win and send the travelling supporters home happy. The result keeps the Comrades in 8^th position in the Lough 41 Championship table as they chase the tight pack above. Speaking on tomorrow’s upcoming fixture, manager Paul Harbinson said “They (Annagh) are flying again. We’ll focus and prepare and fingers crossed we’ll get another result”.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met was back in October when the Comrades came away from the BMG Arena with a 4-1 victory. Liam Hassin opened the scoring for the visitors as early as the sixth minute after Andrew Mooney had done well to tee him up. Mooney got on the scoresheet himself on 19 minutes with a close range finish after a Gary Donnelly caused confusion in the home defence. Annagh pulled one back midway through the first half when unfortunate Comrades defender Ashton McDermott headed the ball into his own net whilst attempting to clear Lee Upton’s flick from Craig Taylor’s long throw into the box. However the Comrades restored their two goal lead just after the hour through Ian Fletcher before, with four minutes remaining, Ciaran Heggarty added a fourth from six yards after Hassin knocked the ball into his path.

We travel to Newry Showgrounds tomorrow afternoon to take on Newry City in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Monday 27^th December – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Newry Showgrounds

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (Concession) / U12 FREE

The Opponents

Newry are flying high at the moment and currently occupy top spot in the Lough 41 Championship table. Last week, a Daniel Hughes goal proved enough for leaders Newry City to defeat bottom of the table Queen’s University at The Dub. Hughes squeezed the ball past keeper Conan Doherty at the right post to maintain an eight point lead at the top for Darren Mullen’s side after they had been held by the Students for almost an hour.

The Comrades

Last week, Ards proved too strong for the Comrades as they swept to a 4-2 victory at Dixon Park. 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. The result saw the Comrades drop to 8^th position in the Lough 41 Championship table. Speaking on tomorrow’s upcoming fixture, Paul Harbinson explained how the Comrades must “try so hard to put away the narrative of where we are and just focus on the game to see what we can get from it.”

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met was back in September when the Comrades secured a narrow 1-0 victory over table-toppers Newry at Dixon Park. Scoreless at the break, the only goal of the game came seven minutes into the second half through Gary Donnelly who finished on the half volley from six yards out after Tom Mathieson had teed the ball up.

We return home tomorrow afternoon as the Comrades welcome Ards to Dixon Park in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 18^th December – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

Match Sponsor – Ballyclare Radiator Services

Ball Sponsor – Country Diner Catering

The Opponents

Ards currently occupy 6^th spot in the Lough 41 Championship. Last week, they travelled to Blanchflower Park where they were defeated 2-1 by HW Welders. Scott Davidson opened the scoring for the Welders on 28 minutes when, on the counter, he got on the end of a low driven ball across the box to smash the finish past Brian Neeson. The Welders then doubled their advantage early in the second through substitute Matthew Henry after Davidson found him in space inside the area to beat Neeson at the near post. Ards managed to pull one back on 78 minutes after Salou Jallow found Paddy Cafolla on the edge of the area who then turned and sent a clinical strike past Ben McCauley from 12 yards, but the Welders done enough to hang on to all 3 points.

The Comrades

Two goals midway through the second half saw Dergview defeat Ballyclare Comrades at Darragh Park last week. Scoreless at the break, the Comrades 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. The result sees the Comrades drop to 8^th position in the Lough 41 Championship for the first time this season. Speaking on tomorrow’s fixture, Paul Harbinson is looking forward to “getting back home again and feeling the buzz of our hometown, feeling the buzz of our home community. We’re all in this together and we will get there.”

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met. Ards stormed to a comprehensive 3-0 victory at Clandeboye Park back in September. Ards opened the scoring on the half-hour mark when a ball played into the box wasn’t cleared by the Comrades and fell to Cafolla who drilled an excellent finish into the net from the edge of the box. On 42 minutes, the hosts doubled their lead; a well-worked move opened up the Comrades defence and created the chance for Arthurs to blast an unstoppable finish past Jack Ferguson from 16 yards. Ards finished off a deserved win with another goal late in the game. Comrades were exposed by a quick break up-field which beat the offside trap and the ball was played low into the box by Jallow, setting up McCurry to finish from 10 yards.

It’s back to league action as we travel to Darragh Park tomorrow afternoon to take on Dergview in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

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

Where: Darragh Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

The Opponents

Dergview currently occupy 9^th spot in the Lough 41 Championship. A win tomorrow would see them leapfrog the Comrades who are just 2 points ahead in 7^th. Last week, a Darren Murray second half hat-trick saw HW Welders defeat Dergview 3-1 at Blanchflower Park. Scoreless at the break, Murray fired the Welders in front just short of the hour mark with a great finish. Jamie Browne levelled for Dergview on 69 minutes with a chipped finish past Ben McCauley into the corner of the net. The Welders were reduced to ten men on 78 minutes after Michael McLellan picked up his second booking in the space of few minutes for unsporting behaviour. However, the home side responded positively and duly moved back into the lead with a couple of minutes remaining with Murray’s second of the afternoon … and the same player followed that up with his hat-trick goal deep into stoppage time.

The Comrades

It’s been a rough patch for the Comrades of late. Without a win in their last 7 league outings, things didn’t get much easier as they suffered a heavy 8-0 defeat to East Antrim rivals, Larne, during the week in the Semi Final of the ToalsBet.com Co Antrim Shield. It was always going to be a tough task against the full-time Danske Bank Premiership side, but a goal inside the first 5 minutes, followed by two individual errors sent the Comrades in at half-time 3-0 down. The second half saw Larne even more dominant, with their constant movement and extra fitness bamboozling a tiring Comrades team and the Larne men went on to score 5 more to see out a thumping victory. Despite a difficult night and difficult patch, Paul Harbinson spoke after the game about how it’s time to “lift ourselves, take the shackles off, stop with all of the pressure talk, just focus on our jobs and get back to this group of players who want to play for each other. Even after (the Larne match), the players grouped together, they’re in it together and we’re fighting for each other”.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in October, an Andrew Mooney double helped Ballyclare Comrades defeat Dergview at Darragh Park. Scoreless at the break, both goals came midway through the second half. The 24-year-old opened the scoring on 63 minutes with a back post header six yards out after Tom Mathieson had knocked the ball over following a mazy run. And Mooney doubled his tally just five minutes later when, following a botched attempt at a clearance, he dispossessed a defender to tuck the ball past keeper Alan Buchanan. Benny Igiehon pulled one back for Dergview with ten minutes remaining but it wasn’t enough to spark a late comeback.

We travel to Inver Park Park tomorrow evening to take on Larne in the ToalsBet.com Co Antrim Shield Semi-Final.

Match Info

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

Where: Inver Park

What: ToalsBet.com Co Antrim Shield Semi-Final

Entry: TICKET ONLY. No cash gate will be available. Comrades fans will be in the McKay Stand at Inver Park, and tickets priced at £10 adult and £6 concession are available at the link below:

https://embed.futureticketing.ie/c/larne-fc/event/7f4a35c8-62e2-4089-860c-322f1d369c4b?fbclid=IwAR1e0pGFLGeJ733HkVcWXvJh3uP3Un_tbNEB290hCON-76MddhKu_1UiOHg

The Opponents

Larne are currently sitting 4^th in the Danske Bank Premiership, just 4 points off top spot. Last week, Three second half goals helped Larne eventually get past Warrenpoint Town at Inver Park. The game got off to a bright start with chances at both ends inside the opening couple of minutes. Ben Doherty fired just over from a David McDaid cut back for Larne while, for ‘Point, Kealan Dillon sent the ball a little too high. That trend continued with Alan O’Sullivan being denied by Michael Argyrides with Ronan Hale then seeing an effort blocked soon after. Then, midway through the first half, Conor Mitchell made a point blank save from Doherty before ‘Point responded with a Thomas Maguire deflected shot dropping narrowly off target. Larne moved in front on 48 minutes courtesy of Albert Watson’s back post header after he broke free to connect with Doherty’s corner from the right. McDaid then made it 2-0 six minutes after that after running onto a Mark Randall through ball to keep his composure to slot past Mitchell. And Larne’s third arrived with 20 minutes remaining after Hale combined with Tomas Cosgrove to fire into the bottom corner.

The Comrades

Friday night saw Dundela sweep to a three-goal victory over the 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. The result keeps the Comrades in 7^th spot in the Lough 41 Championship.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met was in October 2020 in the first round of this very same competition. Albert Watson opened the scoring at Inver Park in the 20^th minute after Jack Ferguson had saved the initial header from a Larne corner, Watson followed in with the rebound. Dean Jarvis doubled Larne’s lead in the 72^nd minute when a heavily deflected free-kick left ‘keeper Ferguson no chance. That was how it stayed as Larne ran out 2-0 winners and progressed to the next round.

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

Match Info

When: Friday 3^rd December – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Wilgar Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

The Opponents

Dundela currently occupy 11^th spot in the Lough 41 Championship. Last week, they battled to an equal share of the goals against Newry City in difficult conditions at a blustery Wilgar Park. James Teelan opened the scoring for Newry after eight minutes. He got on the end of a touch forward to flick the ball past Kyle Owens and beat Marc Matthews with a near post right foot finish. The Duns levelled almost immediately, however, through Guillaume Keke with a half volley from point blank range after a Tony Kane free-kick from wide on the right had been knocked on inside the box. And the frantic start continued with a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock when Johnny Taylor fired the home side into the lead from another Kane set piece, a corner on this occasion, after the ball fell loose from Jay Magee’s initial header had been well kept out by Steven Maguire. That was how it stayed until four minutes from the hour when Darren King levelled for Newry to ultimately secure a share of the spoils.

The Comrades

Last week, the Comrades staged a late comeback to recover a two-goal deficit and salvage a point from HW Welders at Blanchflower Park. The Welders moved in front on 38 minutes through Alan McMurtry who smashed the ball home from eight yards after receiving a low cross from the left. Josh Boyd doubled the home advantage on 67 minutes with a back post finish when the ball was played across the box into his path. But Ballyclare pulled a goal back just five minutes after that through Liam Hassin with a 25-yard effort into the top corner after a set piece was only partially cleared. And the Comrades secured a point with four minutes left on the clock when Matthew Herron found the net from Tom Mathieson’s cross. The draw keeps the Comrades in 7^th spot in the Lough 41 Championship on 27 points.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met at the beginning of October, Ballyclare Comrades defeated Dundela by a single first half goal at Dixon Park. The Comrades crafted the first chance of the night after nine minutes when Chris Ramsey sent a header from a Liam McKenna corner onto the crossbar before the ball fell to safety. What proved to be the winner came with just over a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock after a mix-up in the Dundela defence allowed Andy Mooney to set up McKenna to score from a tap in. The rest of the game was an entertaining, end to end encounter but Ballyclare held on to secure all three points although keeper Richard Purcell had to be alert in the closing minutes to thwart a header from Guillaume Keke as the visitors searched for an equaliser.

We travel to Blanchflower Park tomorrow afternoon to take on Harland & Wolff Welders in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 27^th November – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Blanchflower Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

The Opponents

The Welders currently occupy 6^th position in the Lough 41 Championship, just 2 points ahead of the Comrades. Last Saturday saw the Welders just pipped by Annagh United in a 5-goal thriller at Blanchflower Park. The Welders moved in front on 17 minutes through Alan McMurtry after Annagh keeper Eoin Hughes fumbled his shot before dropping it over the line. Annagh levelled just after the half-hour mark when Ruairi McDonald sent over a cross which Stephen Murray rose to head past Ben McCauley. McMurtry restored home advantage just before the break with a near post finish but, nine minutes into the second half, Annagh levelled again after Murray cut the ball back for Lee Upton to touch home. However, the visitors moved in front for the first time with what proved to be the winner on 62 minutes after Murray again turned provider to tee up Craig Taylor to beat McCauley for a third time.

The Comrades

Despite last Saturday’s much-improved performance compared to recent weeks, the Comrades came home from their trip to Fermanagh with nothing to show. The deadlock was broken on 32 minutes when a corner was played to the back post where Morris got his head to the ball directing it back across goal. Richard Purcell stuck his leg out to block it, but the ball rebounded off him and into the net. The second half saw the visitors largely making the running, but it was not to be Comrades’ day and this was clear a minute into injury-time when Matthew Herron got onto a high ball down the middle and hit a shot from just outside the box only to see it take a deflection and strike the bar. The result keeps the Comrades in 7^th position in the Lough 41 Championship. Following the game, manager Paul Harbinson was feeling “upbeat” as he felt “the team came together and put in a much-improved performance”.  

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met was back in August where the Comrades ran out 1-0 winners at Dixon Park. With the opening 85 minutes of the game being goalless, the game looked to be heading to a deadlocked finish until Liam McKenna cut into the box from the left and struck an unstoppable shot from 14 yards which rifled into the roof of the net to the delight of the home supporters. This proved to be the winner as the hosts comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to seal the victory.

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

Match Info

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

Where: Ferney Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

The Opponents

The Mallards currently occupy 5^th spot in the Lough 41 Championship table, just 1 point ahead of the Comrades. Last week, they lost out to Newry City who stretched their lead at the top of the Lough 41 Championship following a two-goal victory at The Showgrounds. Declan Carville opened the scoring for Darren Mullen’s side on 27 minutes when the ball was laid off for him to slot home unmarked from just outside the six yard box. And that was how it stayed until four minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game when Fra Brennan found Jimmy Walker on the edge of the area and he sent a low drive below Rory Brown into the net.

The Comrades

The Comrades’ poor run of form continued last week with a 2-0 home defeat against Queen’s University. 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. The result sent the Comrades into the bottom half of the table for the first time this season. However, the middle of table is extremely tight with only 3 points separating the Comrades in 7^th position and Ards in 2^nd position.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met was on the opening day of the season, when Ballyclare Comrades bounced back from going behind to record a comprehensive 5-1 victory at Dixon Park. Darragh Byrne opened the scoring for the Mallards with just over a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock when he cut inside on the right and fired into the bottom corner. However, Ballyclare responded immediately through Adam Gray with a finish from just inside the box before, three minutes after that, Joe Tully edged the home side into the lead with a six-yard header from Liam McKenna’s corner. McKenna delivered the set piece again a couple of minutes after the break for Ciaran Dobbin to extend Ballyclare’s lead. And Dobbin struck again on 54 minutes for his second of the afternoon, a strong strike from 20 yards. Andrew Mooney completed the scoring with 20 minutes remaining with a tap in moments after coming off the bench.

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

Match Info

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

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

Match & Ball Sponsor: Gordon Estates Management

The Opponents

Queen’s University’s season is still yet to really get going. With 15 games played, the students occupy bottom spot in the Lough 41 championship with only one victory on the board. Last week, Queen’s faced up against Ballinamallard and were on the wrong end of a 3-0 score line. BJ Banda opened the scoring for Harry McConkey’s side after 12 minutes and almost added another towards the end of the first half only to fire into the side netting. After the break a Jason McCartney cross skimmed the crossbar while Joshua McIlwaine saw a goalbound effort deflected away for a corner. However, McIlwaine did find the net to double Ballinamallard’s lead with just over a quarter-of-an-hour remaining before substitute Duwayne McManus completed the scoring with five minutes to go.

The Comrades

The Comrades failed to build on the momentum from last Tuesday’s victory over Crusaders as they slipped to fifth spot in the table on Saturday after losing by the odd goal in five away to Knockbreda. The home side moved in front after half-an-hour through Peter McDermott, a lead they held until just before the break when Liam McKenna levelled with a finish into an empty net. ‘Breda regained the advantage early in the second half thanks to Ethan Devine and went further ahead on 56 minutes when Karl Hamill knocked home number three. Joe Tully reduced the deficit midway through the second half from a Matthew Herron pass but Knockbreda held on to claim the points. Paul Harbinson will be looking for his squad to get back to winning ways, as that’s now only 1 point picked up from the last 9 available.

Last Time Out

This is just the 4^th time these two sides have met this season. The Comrades have got the better of Queen’s on all occasions to date, with the most recent being a 3-1 home victory in the ToalsBet.com Co Antrim Shield. The Comrades opened the scoring on 22 minutes as Curtis Woods got forward up the right wing and sent in a perfect cross to the far post where Andrew Mooney was there to head in comfortably from 5 yards. The home side were now playing some good attacking football, but they were rocked by an equaliser on 40 minutes. The ball was lost in midfield and ended up being played through to Glackin who calmly slotted it past the ‘keeper from inside the box. In the 70th minute Andrew Mooney did very well to hold the ball up on the wing and then feed Ciaran Heggarty who then managed to slip the ball through to Matthew Herron breaking into the box. Herron then produced a confident finish past the advancing ‘keeper from 12 yards for his first competitive goal for the club. Three minutes later Comrades increased their lead. A well-flighted Elliot McKim corner to the back post found the head of the unmarked Andrew Mooney who nodded in from close range.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 6^th November – Kick-Off 2:00pm

Where: Breda Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

The Opponents

Knockbreda go into tomorrow’s game currently occupying 9^th place in the Lough 41 Championship. Last week, a late winner saw Knockbreda defeat Queen’s University by the odd goal in five at The Dub. ‘Breda moved in front as early as the third minute courtesy of an Ethan Devine spot-kick although Queen’s did level on ten minutes when Adam Robinson tapped home from a free-kick. The visitors regained the advantage just after the half-hour when Lee Rea found the net at the third time of asking but, again, back came the Students when Marc McKenna equalised barely a couple of minutes later from the spot. Queen’s were reduced to ten men just before the break when Stephen McGuinness was dismissed for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity. From the resulting set piece Devine came close only to rattle an upright. Indeed, the home side did well to keep ‘Breda at bay for almost the remainder of the game before, five minutes from time, Karl Hamill scored the winner with a deflected finish past Conan Doherty.

The Comrades

It has been a rollercoaster of a week for the Comrades. Following the disappointment of last Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat to Loughgall, a result that stopped us from going joint-top of the Championship, Paul Harbinson’s men bounced back with a notable victory to shock Crusaders and advance to the semi-finals of the ToalsBet.com Co Antrim Shield on a dramatic night at Dixon Park on Tuesday. Joe Tully opened the scoring as early as the 3^rd minute after some great play down the right-hand side involving Ian Fletcher, Matthew Herron and Ciarán Dobbin ended with Dobbin taking advantage of a slip by a Crusaders defender to play a great ball across the box, finding Tully who calmly slotted in first-time from 6 yards. The Comrades continued to discomfort Crusaders and in the 6^th minute, a superbly flighted corner played in by Adam Gray saw Owens head into his own net. Despite dominating the first 45 minutes, the Comrades did let Crusaders back into the game early in the second-half after Gary Donnelly had rather controversially been adjudged to have fouled an opponent when making a clearance. Forsythe made no mistake from the spot to halve the deficit. It wasn’t long before Crusaders were back on level terms. They were very dangerous from set-pieces all evening and from a corner they scored on 59 minutes when Forsythe rose to head in from 9 yards. After an exhilarating game the final whistle brought more drama in the penalty shoot-out. Forsythe stepped up first for Crusaders but was denied by a Richard Purcell save. However, the scores were back level in the second set of spot-kicks when Gary Donnelly had his effort saved by Tuffey. It was 4-3 to Crusaders when young substitute Owen Taylor, making his debut for the first-team, stepped up to take a pressure penalty which he scored confidently. It was now sudden-death and on the seventh round of penalties Purcell saved right on the line from Thompson, allowing Liam Hassin the chance to step up to win the tie and spark joyous celebrations amongst the home supporters. Following the game, a delighted Harbinson said “I’m so proud of the boys. We’ve challenged them from the start that our performances in the last 2 weeks have been poor and tonight we had to make a lot of changes due to illnesses and injuries, and so tonight was just about go out, perform and can you put in a performance to be proud of, and I feel they should be. The performance throughout the 90 minutes was first class.” Moving on to tomorrow’s game, the gaffer said “Tonight’s done, we enjoy it, we celebrate it, we take the positives from it, but if we can’t do the same again on Saturday, then we’ve got to ask ourselves questions. So we’ve got to go on Saturday now and work hard.”

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met was back at the beginning of September where they played out a 2-2 draw at Dixon Park. The visitors started confidently and took an early lead in the 6th minute when Ethan Devine got onto the ball 25 yards out and struck a great effort which found the top corner of the net, giving the ‘keeper no chance. In the latter part of the half the hosts began to come into the game at last and it was from their first real piece of dangerous attacking play that they got an equaliser in the 37th minute. Andrew Mooney did very well to beat a defender on the by-line before laying the ball back in a crowded box towards Liam McKenna 8 yards out. McKenna got not the cleanest of strikes on the ball, but it went in off the inside of the post despite the efforts of the ‘keeper to prevent it crossing the line. A minute later and suddenly Comrades were in front. Good play by Adam Gray saw him run at the Knockbreda defence and play in a great ball from the left edge of the box which was met by a firm header from 6 yards by Liam McKenna who was again the man in the right position to score. The home side went in at the break with a lead, but they couldn’t hold onto it for long into the second half. Eight minutes in Knockbreda levelled the scores when a ball played in from the right was controlled well by Rea who swivelled and planted it into the bottom corner of the net from 8 yards. The visitors were reduced to ten men in the 88th minute when McCaughan was sent off for protesting too vehemently to the referee during an incident, but it was too late to have any impact on the game.