Category: Pre-Match Guide

We welcome Crusaders to Dixon Park tomorrow evening for the quarter final of the ToalsBet.com Co Antrim Shield.

Match Info

When: Tuesday 2^nd November – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: ToalsBet.Com Co Antrim Shield Quarter Final

Entry: Pay at the gate – £10 (Adult) / £7 (Concession) (Reminder that season tickets are not valid for cup games)

Match Sponsor: Brackenwood Property & Estate Management

Ball Sponsor: Riverside Autowash

The Opponents

Crusaders currently occupy 6^th position in the Danske Bank Premiership having played 2/3 games less than those above them, due to following Covid 19 protocols. They marked their return to action following their enforced break with victory over Warrenpoint Town at Milltown on Saturday. The Crues moved in front on 17 minutes when Johnny McMurray followed up with the finish after ‘Point keeper saved Paul Heatley’s initial effort. It was 2-0 ten minutes after that following Adam Lecky’s glancing header from a corner but the home side responded quickly to pull a goal back when Alan O’Sullivan converted from the spot after referee Lee Tavinder awarded a penalty for handball. Warrenpoint’s comeback was complete seven minutes into the second half with O’Sullivan’s second of the game when, despite Declan Caddell’s best efforts to clear, he squeezed the ball home from an acute angle. Crusaders regained the lead just after the hour, however, thanks to a Heatley finish past Mitchell after Ben Kennedy had found him with a perfectly delivered pass. ‘Point were reduced to ten men with seven minutes remaining when Daniel Byrne received a second booking following a challenge on Kennedy … and Kennedy himself completed the scoring a couple of minutes after that when he raced clear on the counterattack.

The Comrades

The Comrades missed out on the chance to go level on points at the top of the Lough 41 Championship on Saturday following a three-goal home reversal to Loughgall. 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. The game ended on a sour note when a melee developed near the touchline in front of the visitors’ dugout and escalated to involve most of the players. After order was restored the referee sent off Jason Johnston and Loughgall’s Ferris. Paul Harbinson spoke of his disappointment following the game and admitted the level of performance was concerning. Speaking on tomorrow evening’s upcoming fixture, Harbinson said “It’s an opportunity for us to maybe blow the cobwebs out and get players game time. I’m not overly concerned with winning the Co Antrim Shield, I’m more concerned about ensuring that our performances improve”.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met was in a pre-season friendly back in September 2020 where Crusaders were the victors in a 2-1 scoreline at Dixon Park. The last competitive fixture these two sides had was back in March 2014, where Crusaders stormed to a 5-0 victory at Seaview in the quarter final of the Irish Cup.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 30^th October – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

Match Sponsor: Terry Coulter Cars

Ball Sponsor: Anonymous

The Opponents

Loughgall go into tomorrow’s game off the back of last week’s 1-0 victory over league leaders, Ards. Scoreless at the break, the only goal of the game came on the hour mark when Andrew Hoey ran onto a flick into the area to take the ball past Conall McGrandles and fire beyond Brian Neeson inside the near post. Loughgall could have doubled their advantage moments later but Pablo Andrade turned his effort against the upright. Ards ended the game with ten men following Jaimie McGovern’s dismissal for a challenge on Dale Malone. Loughgall currently sit 5^th in the Lough 41 Championship table, 5 points behind Ballyclare Comrades.

The Comrades

Paul Harbinson’s men had to be content with a point from a goalless draw against Institute at Dixon Park last Saturday. The visitors had a great chance to move in front just before the hour. Curtis Woods was adjudged to have upended Dunne inside the box but, from the penalty that followed, Liam Walsh could only look on as his effort was turned away by the diving Richard Purcell. The Comrades were reduced to ten men on 74 minutes when Howard Beverland was dismissed for a challenge on Liam Walsh but ‘Stute failed to take advantage and, indeed, have John Connolly to thank with a couple of saves late in the game to deny Liam McKenna and Ciarán Dobbin. Following the game, Harbinson said “I think we have to look at that as points dropped. That’s a game at home where we are expecting to go in and perform to the level that we did last week and if we do that, maybe we get more out of the game and we certainly expect to work harder than we did, so it’s an overwhelming disappointment”. Harbinson will be looking for his squad to return to the form that saw them put 4 past Annagh United the week previous.

Last Time Out

Loughgall took home all 3 points the last time these two sides met back in August with a 2-0 win at Dixon Park. The first quarter of the game was evenly balanced with chances at a premium. However, Comrades had an excellent opportunity to take the lead on 21 minutes when Andrew Mooney ran onto a long ball played from deep by Ciarán Dobbin and outpaced a covering defender to run in on goal, but he couldn’t beat the ‘keeper with his effort from inside the box. Loughgall hit the front in the 28th minute. A ball over the top caught out the Comrades defence and it was then played in from the wing to Hoey who made space and struck an excellent finish just inside the post from the edge of the box. The home side continue to frustrate their supporters and failed to test the Loughgall ‘keeper in the latter stages of the match. Their disappointing day was completed a minute into injury time when the visitors sealed the victory with a second goal. They all too easily won the ball in the centre of the field from a Comrades clearance, and it was then played through to Forde who raced clear and finished confidently from fourteen yards.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 23^rd October – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

Match & Ball Sponsor: Extra Care

The Opponents

Institute come into tomorrow’s game following a 2-1 defeat at home to Newry City last Saturday. Newry came from a goal down to claim all three points at the Brandywell. ‘Stute moved in front after just eight minutes when the on-form Brendan McLaughlin beat City keeper Steven Maguire with a sublime chip. That was how it stayed until 60 seconds from the break when Stephen Lawless levelled for the visitors from close range. And Newry’s winner came a couple of minutes before the hour mark courtesy of James Teelan’s finish into the roof of the net following a sustained period of pressure. Institute currently occupy 10^th spot in the league table on 12 points, just 6 points adrift from the top 6, with a game in hand.

The Comrades

Paul Harbinson’s men made it three wins from three as they put 4 past Annagh United last Saturday, keeping them in contention at the top of the table. The Comrades started the game on the front-foot and soon got their reward. In the 6th minute their excellent pressing paid off when Liam McKenna robbed an opponent inside the Annagh half and fed the ball forward to Andrew Mooney. The striker could have taken on a shot but had the awareness to see Liam Hassin arriving in a better position on the left side of the box and fed him a perfectly weighted ball which Hassin fired into the roof of the net from 12 yards for his first goal for the club. The second goal for the away team came in the 19th minute. A corner played low into the box saw it ricochet about the box and then fall to Andrew Mooney who drilled it in from 7 yards. The two-goal lead for Comrades didn’t last long and five minutes later the hosts were right back in the game. A dangerous long-throw into the box from Taylor, a feature throughout the game, saw Ashton McDermott head into his own net, giving ‘keeper Richard Purcell no chance. The second half saw the Comrades step things up again and on 64 minutes, a Gary Donnelly free kick forced Hughes to make a save and the ball rebounded out to Ian Fletcher who the struck a fine controlled effort wide of the keeper and inside the far post from 10 yards. The destination of the points was put beyond doubt in the 86th minute. With Annagh pushing men forward, Gary Donnelly set Liam Hassin clear to run free from the halfway line and, when he reached the box, he squared unselfishly to Ciaran Heggarty who had arrived in support and was able to finish confidently from 10 yards. That keeps the Comrades in 3^rd position in the Lough 41 Championship table with both Ards and Newry City, above, winning their respective matches.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met was at the beginning of the season, when a dominant first half display secured the Comrades’ three points from their trip to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. Paul Harbinson’s men were quick off the blocks and soon had the lead. In the 5th minute, with his third corner in quick succession, Liam McKenna whipped in a beauty which went in at the near post despite a defender’s effort to keep it out. In the 22nd minute the visitors doubled their lead. Curtis Woods played an excellent ball into the box from the by-line, finding Adam Gray who took a touch and produced a composed finish from 10 yards. Comrades continued to look threatening and on 36 minutes they went three up. Liam Hassin burst into the box and was brought down for a penalty. Joe Tully stepped up to take the spot kick, but ‘keeper McCann was able to save it. However, the ball fell back kindly into the path of Tully who this time made no mistake. The second half was a rather different affair, and on 83 minutes Institute got what proved only to be a consolation goal when Pomeroy converted from the spot after Chris Ramsey had fouled an opponent in the

We travel to the BMG Arena tomorrow afternoon to take on Annagh United in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 16^th October – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: BMG Arena

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

The Opponents

Annagh currently sit in 4^th position in the Lough 41 Championship, just 3 points behind the Comrades. They go into tomorrow’s game following Tuesday night’s 2-1 AET victory over Armagh City to progress into the semi final of the Mid Ulster Cup. Last Saturday, they were in league action at The Dub where they took on hosts, Queen’s University. The visitors moved into the lead after just seven minutes when Stephen Murray chipped keeper Daniel Devine from an acute angle after latching onto a Ruairi McDonald flick. And Ciaran McGurgan’s side doubled their advantage five minutes before the break courtesy of Ryan Harpur’s tap in after the ball fell loose when Lee Upton’s initial header came back off an upright. The two first half goals were enough for Annagh as the game finished 2-0.

The Comrades

The Comrades travel to the BMG Arena following last Friday night’s 1-0 victory over Dundela at Dixon Park. Liam McKenna popped up with yet another important goal as the visitors made a mess from a throw-in deep in their own territory and an attempted clearance fell to Andrew Mooney near the by-line. He then played the ball across to McKenna who was free to knock it into the net from close range. In the end, the one goal was enough to give Comrades the victory in a tight match where their defensive strength on the night held them in good stead. Speaking on his side’s resolute defending on the night, Paul Harbinson said “How often have we spoken about how important it is to be solid at the back and have leaders on the pitch? With Howard Beverland and Chris Ramsey, you’ve two leaders who just want it. I mean there was times they were fighting each other for the ball, to win headers and to win tackles. Curtis Woods and Ian Fletcher came in and did their jobs and Ashton McDermott in front was really solid”. Speaking on tomorrow’s trip away to Annagh, Harbinson expects a “really, really tough battle on the tighter 3G pitch, so we’ll have to be focused”. The Comrades manager will be looking to avoid a repeat of August’s tie against Annagh which saw the Comrades 4-0 down at the break and down to 10 men. He spoke about the need to “remind the players of what we did, the mistakes we made and how easy we made it for Annagh, with no disrespect to Annagh, they’re doing extremely well”. With the first full set of Championship games now completed, the Comrades occupy third spot in the table, just 1 point behind Newry in second and 3 points behind Ards who are the current league leaders.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, a disastrous first-half Comrades performance helped Annagh storm to a comprehensive 5-1 home victory. After an even opening few minutes, the pattern for the rest of the half was set in the 7th minute when Jack Ferguson attempted to clear a high ball played into the box but lost out to Duffin who got to the bouncing ball first and then had the simple task of finishing into the empty net. Things got much worse for Comrades on 18 minutes. Elliot McKim didn’t get enough on a header back to the ‘keeper allowing Murray to nip in and McKim then hauled him back and got sent off for denying a goal-scoring chance. In the 29th minute they doubled their lead, when they opened up the Comrades defence down the right before Duffin played the ball across for Murray who finished with a fine first-time effort from 16 yards. Three minutes later it was 3-0. Jack Ferguson was penalised for picking up a back pass and from the free kick inside the box Comrades weren’t alert enough, as the ball was played to the unmarked Campbell who finished from 12 yards. Comrades’ horror first half was rounded off in the 42nd minute with the concession of another goal. Claiming for a foul, they lost the ball cheaply on halfway, with Taylor taking full advantage to run forward and finish very well with a low shot from the edge of the box. The visitors’ improved second half performance earned them a consolation goal in the 78th minute when good persistence from Ciaran Heggarty and Chris Ramsey at the edge of the box allowed Ramsey to break through and drill the ball in from 11 yards. Annagh weren’t finished however and a minute into injury-time Ruairi McDonald struck a great low shot from 25 yards into the bottom corner of the net past the despairing dive of Ferguson.

We invite Dundela to Dixon Park tomorrow night for our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Friday 8^th October – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

Match Sponsor: G.M Pressure Washing

Ball Sponsor: The Mortgage Shop, Ballyclare

The Opponents

Dundela have had a surprisingly poor start to the campaign and currently sit second from bottom in the Lough 41 Championship. However, the East Belfast side seemed to have turned a corner since the arrival of manager Niall Currie. They swept to a four-goal victory over neighbours HW Welders in the East Belfast derby at Wilgar Park last Saturday to record their first win in the Lough 41 Championship this season. Eoin Kane opened the scoring for the Duns as early as the second minute after meeting a free-kick to direct a header past keeper Ben McCauley. The Welders had the ball in the net soon after but it was ruled out offside, and they fell further behind on 20 minutes when Guillaume Keke headed home a cross from the left at the near post. That was how it stayed until Jay Magee added a third for Niall Currie’s side on 69 minutes following a goalmouth scramble. Keke then doubled his tally, and completed the scoring, with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining courtesy of a right-footed effort into bottom corner.

The Comrades

The Comrades got back to winning ways last Saturday with a 2-1 victory away to Dergview. An Andrew Mooney double secured the points for the Comrades. 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. Howard Beverland & Ian Fletcher both returned to the starting line-up on Saturday following their injuries.

Last Time Out

December 2019 was the last time these two sides met as Dundela came away from Dixon Park with all 3 points. In the end it took just one goal to separate the two sides. The Duns got off to the brighter start with Jay Magee seeing Ballyclare keeper Ben McCauley doing well to tip his 20-yard free-kick over after eight minutes. Unfortunately, the first half turned out to be a scrappy affair with the next real effort of note not arriving until stoppage time when McCauley was on hand to deny Owain Beggs. Ballyclare had a great chance early in the second half when Joe Tully laid the ball off for Gary Donnelly 12 yards out but Ryan McBride did well to save. Dundela were next to threaten when, on 71 minutes, substitute Carl McComb was thwarted at the near post by McCauley while, at the other end, Tully fired over from seven yards. What proved to be the only goal of the game came with just less than a quarter-of-an-hour remaining when Tiarnan McNicholl fired home from just inside the area. Both sides had efforts late on with Tully and Beggs coming close but Dundela held on to secure the points.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 2^nd October – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Darragh Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

The Opponents

Dergview currently sit 9^th in the Lough 41 Championship, 5 points behind the Comrades in 5^th. They go into tomorrow’s game following a 3-2 defeat away to Knockbreda last Saturday. Goals from Benny Igiehon and Cathal Farren in the second half threatened to undo Knockbreda’s 3-0 lead from the first half but the hosts were able to hold out. Dergview have only been beaten once at home this season, a 2-0 defeat to Newry City, and recently took Danske Bank Premiership side, Carrick Rangers, to extra time in the Bet McLean League Cup. Manager, Tommy Canning, will be looking for a reaction from his side following last week’s defeat.

The Comrades

The Comrades go to Darragh Park following last week’s disappointing 3-0 defeat away to Ards. After a somewhat cautious start to the game at both ends, it fell to Patrick Cafolla to open the scoring just before the half-hour mark when he found the top corner from around 20 yards from goal. Ards then doubled their advantage on 43 minutes through Ross Arthurs to take a commanding lead into the break. Andrew Mooney came closest in the second half for the Comrades when he rattled the crossbar. However, Calvin McCurry made sure of the points for Ards four minutes from time. Paul Harbinson made no excuses following the game and said his side were poor and must improve on consistency. Speaking on tomorrow’s trip away to Dergview, Paul Harbinson said “We’re going to have to go and work hard on our competition as Dergview have been playing fantastic football, in the middle of the park they dominate, and we didn’t do that tonight (against Ards) and haven’t done that for a while. We need to question ourselves and look at what we do next”.

Last Time Out

January 2020 was the last time these two sides met in the Championship. Two quickfire goals were enough for the Comrades to get the better of Dergview at Dixon Park. The sides traded chances during the opening phases with Joe Tully dragging an effort wide for Ballyclare while Paul Smith just failed to hit the target for the visitors. Dergview keeper, Alan Buchanan, was then called into action to turn a Gary Donnelly shot around the upright while Jordan Malone headed just over later in the first half. Ciaran Dobbin came closest early in the second half when his header from a Donnelly corner was touched onto the crossbar. But, on 57 minutes, the Comrades eventually found a way through when Donnelly dinked Buchanan from eight yards after connecting with a Tully through ball. And, around sixty seconds later, it was 2-0 when Tully got his name on the scoresheet with a 20-yard drive. Dergview attempted to hit back; Emmett McNabb fired just wide from six yards while Smith was denied by Ben McCauley. The home keeper came to Ballyclare’s rescue again in the closing moments to thwart Smith again, but Dobbin almost added a third for the home side in stoppage time when his effort came off the keeper and onto the bar.

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

Match Info

When: Friday 24^th September – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Clandeboye Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

The Opponents

Ards are currently sitting 3^rd in the Lough 41 Championship, with an identical start to the season as the Comrades with 5 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses in their opening 8 games. They come into tomorrow night’s game following a 2-1 defeat away to Institute last Saturday. Institute stunned Ards with a dramatic stoppage comeback to claim victory at the Brandywell. The visitors, going into the game in second spot, moved in front on 29 minutes after Ross Arthurs smashed the ball home following a scramble in the box. It was a lead they held for almost the remainder of the game until that heart stopping finale despite playing the remaining quarter-of-an-hour with ten men following Christopher Crane’s dismissal for an off the ball incident involving ‘Stute’s Joel Gorman. ‘Stute levelled in the 90th minute in somewhat bizarre circumstances. Ards keeper Brian Neeson came out to punch a corner clear but the ball came off Jack Millar and looped back over Neeson into the net. Then, in the fifth minute of added time, Brendan McLaughlin fired ‘Stute’s winner into the roof of the net amid unbelievable scenes. Ards will be looking to get back to winning ways at Clandeboye Park tomorrow night.

The Comrades

The Comrades have been in fine form recently with 4 wins in their last 6 outings. The only defeat in that period has been to Danske Bank Premiership champions, Linfield. Tomorrow night’s game is a quick turnaround from Tuesday night’s victory over Queen’s University in the ToalsBet.com Co Antrim Shield. Having played Queen’s 3 times now this season, manager Paul Harbinson spoke of the challenge to “motivate players and get them up for a game where they are naturally psychologically thinking that they’ve already won this and it should be an easy game. But it’s never an easy game, Queen’s always come with a good plan, they play good football and they were really hard at it. So it’s a psychological one and thankfully we were on the right side of it.” Matthew Herron grabbed his first competitive goal for the club on Tuesday evening, while Andrew Mooney took home the Man of the Match award following his 2 goals on the night. Speaking on the quick turnaround for tomorrow night’s upcoming fixture, Paul Harbinson said “It’s a really really quick turnaround, we’ve done our homework as we always do and we’ll hope that the information that we’ve got is the right information. We’re going there with as much ammunition as we ever do, yes it’s a quick turnaround but that’s football, get on with it.” Full back, Ian Fletcher, is set to miss the next couple of weeks following an injury to the head last Saturday, while the Comrades manager is hopeful that Howard Beverland will be back in contention for tomorrow night’s squad.

Last Time Out

January 2020 was the last time these two sides met where they played out a 2-2 draw at Clandeboye Park. The Comrades moved in front after 20 minutes when a Jordan Malone free-kick into the box was adjudged to have been handled by William Armstrong with Joe Tully stepping up to convert from the spot-kick that followed. Kym Nelson levelled for Ards just after the half-hour mark with a header from six yards after he was picked out by a set piece from the left. Ballyclare regained the advantage a couple of minutes from the break with Tully’s second of the afternoon, a lob over keeper Brian Neeson after Tom Mathieson had delivered a long ball forward. Ards might have restored parity early in the second half when Michael McLellan sent a long range effort against the crossbar but they did equalise again just before the hour thanks to Craig McMillen’s rifled finish after a David McAllister effort rebounded out to him.

We invite Queen’s University to Dixon Park tomorrow evening in the first round of the ToalsBet.com County Antrim Shield.

Match Info

When: Tuesday 21^st September – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: ToalsBet.com County Antrim Shield Round 1

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

A reminder to season ticket holders that season tickets are not valid for cup games.

Match & Ball Sponsor: Dominos, Ballyclare

The Opponents

Queen’s University’s bad start to the season continued on Saturday with a 3-1 defeat away to Dergview. That’s now 7 defeats in their opening 8 games in the Lough 41 Championship for the Students. However, the Comrades have faced up against Peter Thompson’s men twice already this season and know from the close encounters of both games, that Tuesday evening will be anything but easy.

The Comrades

The Comrades come into the game following a 1-0 victory over early league leaders, Newry City, on Saturday. Newry started the better of the sides and were on top for most of the first half as Comrades struggled to put anything together. However, the visitors were largely kept at bay by the home defence and struggled to create chances despite having most of the possession. The second half, however, was a different story and Comrades were on the front-foot. Gary Donnelly got the only goal of the game in the 52^nd minute. It all started with Joe Tully beautifully controlling a high ball. He then set Tom Mathieson free to run to the edge of the box and send in a teasing ball which Donnelly made contact with, sending it goalward from six yards. Despite the ‘keeper’s effort to claw the ball away it crossed the line, quickly confirmed by the referee’s assistant. The hosts were able to see out the rest of the game to seal an important win. Ian Fletcher took a nasty knock to the head during Saturday’s game and had to go to A&E for stitches, while Howard Beverland also departed the field early as a precautionary measure for a tight hamstring. After a quick turnaround from Saturday, Harbinson may well look to shuffle his deck for Tuesday night’s cup tie.

Last Time Out

You have to go the whole way back to last week for the last time the Comrades and Queen’s faced up against each other. Comrades came away with all three points in the Lough 41 Championship after a hard-fought 3-1 win over Queen’s at The Dub. Paul Harbinson’s men started the better of the sides and bossed the first 15 minutes. However, the only effort of note during this period was in the 11th minute when Adam Gray produced a good turn and shot from 22 yards which went narrowly wide of the post. The rest of the first half was evenly balanced, with defences generally on top despite enterprising attacking play from both teams. As the game moved into its final quarter it looked like it might be heading for stalemate, and it took a wonderful goal on 72 minutes to break the stalemate, with Liam McKenna producing a lovely curler from 25 yards which dipped over the ‘keeper and just under the bar. The game now opened up for an exciting finish and Comrades doubled their lead in the 79th minute. A good run down the middle from Adam Gray discomforted the home defence and the ball broke to Ciaran Heggarty who cut into the right side of the box and struck a great effort wide of the ‘keeper into the top corner of the net from 17 yards. Five minutes later, the travelling supporters hopes of a stress-free end to the game were dented when Queen’s pulled a goal back. A ball played into the box caused danger and it broke to Clarke who rifled a shot into the net from 12 yards. After a nervous period with the hosts pressing, Comrades sealed the victory a minute into injury-time. Adam Gray did well to get into the box on the by-line and was tripped by a defender, leading to the award of a penalty. Gray stepped up himself to take the spot-kick, but his effort was blocked by ‘keeper Devine. However, Andrew Mooney was first to the loose ball, firing it into the roof of the net from the edge of the 6-yard box.

We invite Newry City to Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

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

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (Concession) (U12 free entry with paying adult)

Match sponsor: Agnew Mitchell & Cairns Accountants

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

The Opponents

Newry have been flying since the start of the season and currently top the Lough 41 Championship. They had a 100% record with 6 wins in their opening 6 games and only dropped their first points in the league last Saturday to Ballinamallard United, who brought Newry’s winning run to an end with a 3-0 victory over Darren Mullen’s men. Newry were in league cup action as well this week, where they were put out by a 2-1 defeat to premiership side, Warrenpoint Town. Brian Healy opened the scoring for Newry City with two minutes on the clock but this was cancelled out by Warrenpoint with a clinical finish into the bottom left corner just after the half-hour mark. After the break, Newry had the ball in the net with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining although this was ruled out offside. It took Warrenpoint’s Greg Moorhouse’s 101st minute diving header from Kealan Dillon’s cross to the back post to separate the sides and send Newry City out of the cup. With 2 defeats in their last 2 outings, Darren Mullen will be looking a reaction from his players at Dixon Park.

The Comrades

Paul Harbinson’s men come into the game after being on the wrong end of a 4-0 result on Tuesday night against Linfield. Despite the heavy defeat, Harbinson was in positive spirits following the game, praising his side’s “hard-work, ethic and working for each other”. The manager has challenged his squad to “stay concentrated for 90 minutes at Championship level every week” in the same manner that he seen his side concentrate for large spells against Linfield. On the upcoming Newry game, Harbinson said “There’s no easy game, as we’ve proven already, just as everyone has proven, everyone is taking points off everyone so we’ve just got to see can we focus and can we concentrate, and if we do that, that’s progress and we’ll be happy with that.”. Tuesday night also saw Matthew Herron make his competitive debut for the club while Eoghan Devine made his first completive start. Adam McCart also made his return to the starting lineup following a lengthy spell away from football and Adam Gray came off the bench to make his 200^th appearance for the Comrades.

Last Time Out

Boxing Day 2019 was the last time these two sides met as The Comrades and Newry City battled to a share of the Boxing Day spoils in an evenly contested encounter at Dixon Park. Newry opened the scoring a minute from the break with Kevin McArdle who cut inside from the right to beat McCauley at the near post with the ball initially striking the upright before going in off the keeper. The visitors might have doubled their lead just after the hour but John Boyle headed off the crossbar from around six yards out before Stefan Lavery fired just past the far post soon after. For Ballyclare, substitute Joe Tully directed a header on target from a Ciaran Dobbin free kick, but Lewis Hunter did well to make the save. However, Tully went one better with eight minutes remaining; after being upended inside the area he kept his composure to step up to calmly beat the Newry keeper from the spot. The Comrades might have secured the points in the closing minutes when Adam Gray struck the post from 20 yards but Lukasz Adamczyk was unable to keep the rebound on target and the game finished 1-1.

We invite Danske Bank Premiership Champions Linfield to Dixon Park tomorrow evening in the 2nd round of the Bet McLean League Cup.

Match Info

When: Tuesday 14^th September – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Bet McLean League Cup 2nd Round

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (adult) / £5 (concession) (U12 free entry with paying adult)

A reminder to season ticket holders that season tickets are not valid for cup games.

All supporters should be aware that there will be a strict gate policy; anyone leaving the ground during the game (including at half time) will not be able to get back into the ground.

Match Sponsor: Simpson Developments

Ball Sponsor: Ballyclare Fuels

The Opponents

Linfield come to Dixon Park following a 3-2 victory over Portadown in the Danske Bank Premiership at the weekend. They had to twice come from behind as Portadown led 2-1 at the break. Back came Linfield, however, on 67 minutes with Matt Green’s first goal for the club after he met Kirk Millar’s cross to turn it beyond Doherty. It then fell to Manzinga to claim the win for the visitors with five minutes to go when he got past a defender before unleashing a powerful drive into the net to grab his second of the game. The Blues have only played two league games with games being called off due to players away on international duty.

The Comrades

The Comrades got back to winning ways on Saturday with a 3-1 victory away to Queen’s University in the Lough 41 Championship. Three goals in the final 20 minutes helped Paul Harbinson’s men overcome the Students at the Dub. Liam McKenna once again popped up with the goods as he broke the deadlock with a 25-yard drive into the top corner. Ciaran Heggarty got his first league goal for the club just seven minutes later when the ball was slipped through to him and he confidently put the ball into the roof of the net. The students did pull one back before Ballyclare restored their two-goal cushion in stoppage time when Andrew Mooney knocked home the rebound after Adam Gray saw his initial penalty saved. Speaking on the upcoming game, Comrades skipper, Chris Ramsey said “It’s going to be a tough game. Linfield are the best team in the country, they’ve proved that over the last load of years and it’ll be tough for us. But we go into it with no pressure on us, we just have to go out and work hard and listen to how we’re being told to set up and if we stick to our shape, hopefully we can pull-off a bit of a surprise result.”

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in a competitive fixture was in the Irish Cup 5th Round in January 2019. A second-half goal from former Comrades player, Joel Cooper, was the only difference between the two sides on the day as Linfield progressed to the next round with a 1-0 victory at Windsor Park. Due to some heroic defending, the Comrades made it in at the break with the scores level at 0-0. Early in the second-half, Adam Gray had Ballyclare’s best chance of the game as a powerful shot from outside the box had Linfield ‘keeper, Roy Carroll, scrambling; the experienced international ‘keeper eventually got the ball under control though after his initial save bounced back into danger. Linfield’s persistence paid off as Casement’s deflected cross found the head of Andy Waterworth who flicked it on to Cooper and he headed in. The game finished 1-0 and Linfield progressed to the 6th round where they would face Crusaders.