Category: Pre-Match Guide

We travel to The Dub tomorrow afternoon as we face Queen’s University in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

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

Where: The Dub

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate (£8 adult / £5 concession)

The Opponents

Queen’s University have had a tough start to the season to date, losing 5 of their opening 6 games with their only victory coming against Dundela. Last week, they played host to top of the league Newry City where The Students were on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline. Newry opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark, the only goal in a close fought first half. And that was how it stayed until a minute into stoppage time when substitute Stephen Lawless bagged Newry’s second to make sure of the points for the visitors. The Comrades can be sure, however, that Queens’ league form doesn’t accurately reflect the quality of their team and Paul Harbinson’s men will need to be on top of their game if they want a result.

The Comrades

Paul Harbinson’s men travel to The Dub following last week’s 2-2 draw with Knockbreda. Liam McKenna continued his excellent form in front of goal as the full-back got both goals in the game, taking his tally to 5 goals in 7 games this season. Newcomer, Ian Fletcher, made his debut for the Comrades as he put in a solid performance at full-back. Speaking on the upcoming game, manager Paul Harbinson said “We are focused entirely on going to Queen’s and trying to improve on our performance. Let’s not talk about results, let’s talk about how our performance needs to improve, our concentration and our basics need to improve. That’s what we will be focused on until the game is over and then we’ll look to the next one.”

Last Time Out

We last faced Queen’s University just over a month ago in the Bet McLean League Cup first round. The Comrades progressed to the next round after defeating Queen’s 2-1. Comrades opened the scoring in the 29th minute. A great ball over the top from Elliot McKim discomforted the Queen’s defence and found Joe Tully. He then managed to slip the ball to Liam McKenna who made space to fire a great finish low into the bottom corner of the net from 7 yards for a goal on his competitive debut for the club. Comrades went in at the break with a narrow advantage, but it was the visitors who began the second half on the front foot. They got their reward with an equaliser in the 53rd minute when Matthew Hughes struck an excellent shot from 25 yards into the net giving Purcell little chance. Three minutes later however Comrades’ lead was restored. Liam McKenna played the ball into the box from a free kick near the by-line. Queen’s couldn’t clear it and it broke to Ciaran Heggarty who thumped his effort into the net from 8 yards for another goal for a club debutant. The final minutes of the match saw the visitors press for an equaliser, but the home defence held out well to seal the victory.

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

Match Info

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

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (adult) / £5 (concession) – Kids under 12 free entry with paying adult

The Opponents

Knockbreda come to Dixon Park following a 3-1 victory over Queen’s last Saturday. They were hot out of the blocks as Lee McGreevy scored within the opening minute before Ethan Devine made it 2-0 (the clock hadn’t even reached double figures yet). Their last away outing was to Wilgar Park, where Dundela fell victims to a very similar story, with Knockbreda running out 4-3 victors. Lee McGreevy needed just 20 seconds this time to find the back of the net and Knockbreda found themselves 3-0 up with 35 minutes gone. Knockbreda manager, Colin McIlwrath, will be urging his players to start like a house on fire once again as they visit Dixon Park this Saturday.

The Comrades

A late Liam McKenna strike was enough to see the Comrades squeeze to a narrow victory over HW Welders last Friday night. The game was a relatively quiet affair with both teams evenly matched. The signing announcement just before the game of experienced Irish League defender, Howard Beverland, was sure to give the squad a boost in confidence and the 31-year-old didn’t disappoint the Dixon Park faithful as he put in a man of the match performance. We’ve had a couple of outgoings since last week as well, with defender, Kyle Crawford, and young forward, Josh McGreevy, both leaving the club to join Ballymoney United. Paul Harbinson did manage to capture the signing of 24-year-old ex-League of Ireland full-back, Ian Fletcher, on deadline day. The manager will be hoping his new players gel quickly with the squad as we enter a jam-packed September schedule.

Last Time Out

Our last competitive fixture against Knockbreda was in March 2020 when the Comrades came away from Breda Park with all 3 points following a 3-1 victory. Gary Donnelly struck the opening for the Comrades on 11 minutes with a close-range finish after Nathan O’Neill found him with a cushioned header. Then, six minutes later, JB Dobbin made it 2-0 after sliding home the loose ball when ‘keeper, Lewis Deane, kept out efforts from Samuel McIlveen and Oisin Barr on the follow up. Knockbreda pulled one back on the stroke of half-time through Fra Rice after he nipped in to capitalise on a mix-up between Ben McCauley and Kevin Hagan. However, with just over a quarter-of-an-hour remaining, O’Neill made sure of the points for the Comrades with a header from six yards after Dobbin crossed into the box. This turned out to be the last game we played before the league was called to a halt due to the global pandemic.

We invite Harland & Wolff Welders to Dixon Park tomorrow night in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Friday 27^th August – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (adult) / £5 (concession)

Club Shop will be open before the game and during half time.

The Opponents

The Welders have had a mixed bag of results since the start of the season. They started with a thumping 5-0 victory over Queen’s in the opening week and then narrowly lost out to both Newry City and Ards the following week. However, Gary Smyth’s men got back to winning ways last weekend with a 1-0 victory away to Knockbreda and so they’ll be looking to carry that momentum into tomorrow night’s game.

The Comrades

Much like our opponents, the Comrades come into Friday night’s fixture with a mixed bag of results since the start of the season. Paul Harbinson believes a ‘lack of heart’ was our downfall in last week’s 2-0 defeat to Loughgall. The manager will be hoping that the arrival of Tom Mathieson and return of Adam McCart freshens up the changing room again and helps bring back the form from the opening games of the season (could we even see another new face arriving at Dixon Park before tomorrow night… who knows?). Elliot McKim will be available for selection again following his suspension in the game vs Annagh United.

Last Time Out

January 4^th 2020 was the last time these two sides met in the Irish Cup 5^th Round at Dixon Park. The Welders took a 1-0 lead into the break after a mistake at the back left their striker 1 on 1, only to calmly slot the ball past the on-rushing ‘keeper. The Welders had most of the clear-cut chances in the 2^nd half but it was the Comrades who were most clinical as a lovely turn and low shot from Lukasz Adamczyk found the bottom corner to draw the scores level before Adamczyk got involved again, this time teeing up Adam Gray with only minutes remaining. The Comrades held out for a 2-1 victory and progressed to the 6^th round.

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

Match Info

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

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate as normal from 1pm – £8 (adult) / £5 (concession)

Reminder to all supporters that there will be a fun-day event (Ballyclare Comrades is Getting Active about Emotional Health & Wellbeing Event) taking place at Dixon Park on Saturday. Free entry from 11:30am-1:00pm (attendance at the event will also grant you free access to the game vs Loughgall). You can read more about the event here.

The Opponents

Loughgall come into the game having won 2 and lost 1 of their opening 3 league games, much like the Comrades. They come to Dixon Park following a 2-1 victory over Dergview last Saturday with goals from Andrew Hoey & Nedas Maciulaitis. The visitors are tipped to be in and around the promotion places come the end of the season and so will be looking for all 3 points come Saturday.

The Comrades

The Comrades come into the game following a heavy defeat to Annagh United last Saturday. A nightmare of a first half saw Ballyclare go in at the break 4-0 down and with only 10 men on the pitch. Elliot McKim was shown red within the first 20 minutes of the game and will now miss tomorrow’s game. Despite facing a mountain of a task in the second 45, Paul Harbinson’s men were much improved after the break and had reduced the deficit to 3 through skipper, Chris Ramsey, until a 90th minute wonder-strike from Ruari McDonald restored Annagh’s 4 goal lead. The manager spoke after the game about the ‘heart-breaking’ scoreline but believes it has helped to pull the squad ‘out of the clouds’ following two big victories in the opening games of the season. “Loughgall are, what we would consider, title contenders and so it’s another massive massive game for us ” said Harbinson.

Last Time Out

It was all square the last time these two sides met on 22^nd February 2020 as the Championship match at Dixon Park ended in a 1-1 draw. The Villagers needed just five minutes to open the scoring when Ross Hunter headed home from six yards after Peter Campbell had crossed from the left. Ballyclare responded positively, striking the woodwork through Ciaran Dobbin before Gary Donnelly carved out the equaliser on 24 minutes with a close-range finish after meeting a free-kick floated into the box. The Comrades enjoyed more of the better chances as the game went on but it was Loughgall who came closest to snatching all 3 points in stoppage time, had it not been for a great stop from ‘keeper, Ben McCauley.

The Comrades travel to Tandragee Road this Saturday in our latest Lough 41 Championship clash; this time the hosts are Annagh United.

Match Info

When: Saturday 14^th August 2021 – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Tandragee Road

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate, £8 (adult) / £5 concession

The Opponents

Annagh have been the victim of injury-time heartbreak in the opening 2 league games of the season. A victory against Ards on the opening day looked very much on the cards until they conceded with 6 minutes to go to level the scores at 2-2. They then received a further sucker-punch as Ards scored in the dying moments of the game to snatch victory away from Annagh. A similar story occurred on Tuesday evening where Knockbreda hosted Annagh at Breda Park. Goals from Campbell and Duffin had Annagh United 3-2 ahead right up until the 93^rd minute when Knockbreda delivered another sucker punch blow, and the game finished all square. Annagh will be looking to chase those lost points when we travel to Tandragee Road on Saturday.

The Comrades

Another solid display on Tuesday evening against Institute seen the Comrades run out 3-1 winners and has us sitting top of the Lough 41 Championship going into gameweek 3. Manager, Paul Harbinson, hailed the professionalism of his squad following the long-distance travel to the Brandywell on Tuesday evening. Liam McKenna got the first goal direct from a corner kick, following a little confusion as to whether it was an own-goal or not. “His delivery is frightening,” said the boss “I love the fact he is so confident stepping up to every ball and we just know we’re going to get something from it.” Adam Gray and Joe Tully once again found the scoresheet and seem to have hit the ground running at the start of this campaign. There’s a long way to go for the Comrades but they will be hungry for more success as we travel to Tandragee Road tomorrow afternoon.

Last Time Out

Our last trip to Tandragee Road was a successful one as we ran out 4-0 winners against Annagh United in the 2016/17 Championship season. Annagh later went on to get relegated that season and have remained in the Premier Intermediate League until last season when they were promoted back into the Championship following the mathematical formula used by NIFL to award automatic promotion places.

The Comrades travel to the Brandywell this Tuesday evening to take on Institute in our next league fixture.

Match Info

When: Tuesday 10th August 2021 – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

What: 2021/22 Lough 41 Championship

Entry: For supporters, of either club, you may now buy your tickets via the following link: https://institutefc.co.uk/tickets.html

As an appreciation to football supporters, Institute have decided to reduce the admission rate to £5 (Adult) and £3 (12-17yrs) for their first home game.

U12’s free when accompanied by a paying adult – Tickets for U12’s can also be requested on ticket website when Adult ticket is purchased.

Supporters bus: There is a supporters bus running to the Brandywell and back to Ballyclare on Tuesday evening with limited seats available. Contact Justyn Wallace for more info.

The Opponents

Institute suffered a 5-0 away defeat to Dergview in the opening game of the season on Saturday and so manager, Sean Connor, will be looking for a reaction from his team come Tuesday evening. ‘Stute have a very young side this season, with @NIStats on twitter (Marshall Gillespie) calculating that they had the youngest starting XI in the Lough 41 Championship with an average age of 21.7 years old (the Comrades had an average age of 25 years old on Saturday, for comparison).

The Comrades

We had an emphatic start to our 2021/22 Lough 41 Championship campaign with a 5-1 victory over Ballinamallard United at the weekend. After going a goal down early on in the game, the Comrades fought back to see out, what ended up being a comfortable victory over the County Fermanagh side. Paul Harbinson hailed the work rate of his team while emphasising that “We’ve only won one game, it counts for nothing. It sounds great, but it means nothing.”

Last Time Out

You have to go back to the 2017/18 season for the last time we played Institute. ‘Stute were the victors that day, going in at the break 2 goals to the good. A second half comeback looked on at a stage when goals from an OG and Mark Kelly gave the Comrades some hope, but Institute proved too strong and ran out 4-2 victors on the day. Institute later went on to win the league that season and gained automatic promotion to the Premiership.

The Comrades take on the Mallards in the opening fixture of the 2021/22 Lough 41 Championship campaign.

Match Info

When: Saturday 7th August 2021 – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: 2021/22 Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the turnstiles – Adult £8, Concession £5. Kids under 12 FREE (must be accompanied by a paying adult).

Season ticket holders, pass holders and directors to enter through the main gate, not the turnstiles.

Season tickets are available to purchase from our online store here or visit the club shop at Dixon Park on matchdays.

The Opponents

Ballinamallard will be looking to pick up where they left off in the 2019/20 Championship season. The Mallards were sitting in the playoff spots in second place when the league was called to a halt with eight games still to play. Since then, our upcoming opponents were knocked out of the 2020/21 Irish Cup First Round, following a marathon penalty shootout at home to Dergview. Pre-season has been very positive for Harry McConkey’s men with some promising friendly results, most recently being their 3-0 victory over Premiership opposition, Warrenpoint Town, last week.

The Comrades

The debutants were the stars of the show last week as goals from Liam McKenna and Ciaran Heggarty helped us overcome Queen’s University in the BetMcLean League Cup. Paul Harbinson will take confidence that his team remained composed throughout the 90 minutes and ultimately done enough to win the game, despite Queen’s making it extremely difficult throughout. We caught up with the manager during the week to discuss the mood in the camp, what he expects from Ballinamallard and the upcoming season – watch the interview at the link below:

Last Time Out

Two second half goals secured a 2-0 victory for the Comrades the last time these two sides met in October 2019 at Dixon Park. Scoreless at the break, Luckas Adamczyk opened the scoring on 67 minutes with an excellent turn and shot into the bottom corner from 11 yards after Ciaran Dobbin had touched the ball on. Then, a minute from time, Thomas Robinson made sure of the points with a 20-yard curling effort which Mallards keeper John Connolly couldn’t keep out despite getting a hand to it.

We’re back to competitive football this Saturday as we take on Queen’s University in the first round of the Bet McLean League Cup at Dixon Park.

Match Info

When: Saturday 31st July, 2021 – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Bet McLean League Cup First Round

Entry: Pay at the gate – Adult £8, Concession £5. A reminder to all season ticket holders that season tickets are not valid for cup competitions

The Opponents

Queen’s University come into the game in a very similar boat to the Comrades. No league campaign last year meant a ball was hardly kicked and unlike the Comrades, QUB decided not to take part in the Irish Cup. With the lack of recent match action, there’s very little to report on how the opponents might line-up this Saturday. If there’s one thing the Comrades can be sure of, it’s that Queen’s will be just as eager to hit the ground running in the first competitive game of the season.

The Comrades

If pre-season fixtures told the full story, they would say the Comrades have been defensively solid, yet struggled to find that killer instinct in the final third at times. We’re all aware there’s very little you can take from looking at friendly results though, with plenty of chopping and changing of teams. Fans will get a much better idea of how the team are performing come Saturday, in our first competitive fixture of the season. We may well see a few competitive debuts for some of the lads at the weekend.

Paul Harbinson’s summer signings have impressed throughout the friendlies and the manager had this to say about the upcoming fixture:

” It feels like it’s been the longest preseason in the world but thankfully at least it feels the same for all Championship clubs. We are so excited and relieved to finally be here at competitive football and with the new designation of Elite status, the season can get going with assurance that it’s here to stay.

“There will be a mixed bag this year of COVID instances and possibly increased injuries due to the year out, across the league, which will only add to the unpredictability of the Championship. We go forward positively and preparing for an enjoyable season of football.

“This week, we know what to expect from Queens, as Peter will have them well organised and disciplined as he always does. They are always very good with the ball and we will need to concentrate for 90 minutes if we want to compete.

“It’ll be nice to see familiar, and hopefully some new faces in the crowd cheering on the Comrades. We will give our all to ensure it’s worth the visit to Dixon Park.”

Last Time Out

2019/20 Championship Season was the last time we faced Queen’s. The Comrades were the victors that day with a 2-0 victory at Dixon Park in January 2020. Tom Mathieson opened the scoring in the first half before Joe Tully pounced on a mistake at the back to make it 2-0 with 6 minutes remaining. Queen’s ended the game with ten men following Marc McKenna’s stoppage time dismissal for a second yellow card after bringing down Gary Donnelly inside the box but, from the spot-kick that followed, Tully was denied by a save from Brown.