Comrades crashed out of the Irish Cup with a shock defeat to Greenisland in difficult conditions at Dixon Park. They can have little complaint about the outcome as the visitors deserved their victory.
There was little between the teams in the early stages of the match with both teams struggling to get to grips with the strong swirling wind.
The first effort of note wasn’t until the 31st minute when Lewis Mearns did well to take down a high ball inside the box, but his resulting effort from eight yards was blocked and deflected wide by a defender.
Greenisland had as much of the play in the first half, although goalmouth action was at a premium at both ends and the sides went in at the break goalless.
Comrades opened the second half with a flurry of attacking. Two minutes after the restart they created a chance when Ryan McMenemy got free in the box and slipped the ball across to Nathan Best. He shot from 15 yards but saw his effort saved by McClelland.
A minute later Greenisland threatened when the ball was driven into the box from a free kick where McGeough got his head to it, however his effort went too close to Lewis Deane who made the save.
The weather began to deteriorate as the second half progressed, with driving rain adding to difficulties for the players.
The visitors grew in confidence as Comrades struggled to get a grip of the match. On 70 minutes a swift break saw Moore surge into the box where he was only denied by a last-ditch tackle from Logan Graham. The ball then broke to Harrison who shot on target only to be denied by a great sliding block on the line from Elliot McKim.
The hosts then tested the Greenisland keeper in the 77th minute when Liam Toman broke free up the left wing and cut inside before unleashing shot from 16 yards which McClelland did well to keep out.
A minute later Greenisland had a good opportunity when a ball over the top eluded the home defence and found McCullough in space in the box, but he sliced his resulting effort wide of the near post.
Greenisland looked increasingly dangerous on the counterattack, In the 82nd minute Moore broke free one-on-one with the keeper. His shot was blocked by Lewis Deane who had advanced from his goal. The rebound fell back to Moore who sent the ball back towards goal, with Deane having to scramble back to claw it wide of the post
At the other end Comrades fashioned a chance on 87 minutes when a good link-up between David Taylor and Daniel Gordon set up Stuart Hutchinson to shoot from just inside the box, but his effort was comfortably saved by McClelland.
Neither side could get the breakthrough before the referee below his whistle for the end of normal time. The game the progressed to extra-time which started with action at both ends.
Two minutes in, Bingham broke free into the box for the visitors and shot just over the bar.
Then, in the 97th minute Greenisland broke the deadlock. A ball played through unlocked the home defence and set Moore free into the box where he produced a finish by chipping the ball over the advancing keeper.
Comrades reacted to this and came close within a minute as Liam Toman’s shot from inside the box was kept out by super goal-line clearance from a defender. Then, moments later, Cameron Alexander found Daniel Gordon in the box, but he was denied by a good save from McClelland.
The hosts grabbed an equaliser in the 102nd minute when Stuart Hutchinson broke into the box and did well to hold onto possession before slipping the ball to Elliot McKim who sent a low shot past the keeper.
Two minutes later Comrades suffered a blow when Cameron Alexander picked up a second yellow card and was sent off.
Greenisland’s numerical advantage didn’t last long however as three minutes into the second period of extra-time McGeough also got a second yellow and was dismissed from the field of play.
Greenisland got the decisive goal on 112 minutes when Dunn hit a great strike from 25 yards which went over Deane and into the net.
Comrades pressed desperately to get another equaliser but to very little effect. In fact, the visitors could have added to their lead just before the final whistle as Bingham broke clear and shot just wide of the target.
Many thanks to Match Sponsor, Benny Craig & Co Hardware Stores, and Ball Sponsor, Ernest Hall Menswear.
