Month: September 2022

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

Match Info

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

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (OAP & U16) / £3 (U12 in the company of an adult)

Match Sponsor: Metal Technology

Ball Sponsor: Richard Greer Cars

The Opponents

Ray O’Sullivan knocked home the winner last week as Warrenpoint Town defeated Annagh United at Milltown to make it four wins in a row. ‘Point might have moved in front inside the opening ten minutes when Kealan Dillon struck an upright while, later in the first half, the visitors were also denied by the woodwork. However, what proved to be the only goal of the game arrived just before the hour after O’Sullivan saw his effort deflected past keeper Eoin Hughes. The win sees ‘Point move into third place in the Lough 41 Championship table.

The Comrades

Last week, A goal at either end of the game handed Institute the points from Ballyclare Comrades’ visit to the Brandywell. Shaun Leppard opened the scoring for ‘Stute as early as the ninth minute, with the home side thinking they had doubled their advantage soon after when Cathair Friel found the net only for it to be ruled out offside. Friel came close again early in the second half only to hit the post from a header before, five minutes from time, he did get on the scoresheet with a slotted finish below visiting keeper Declan Breen. The result sees the Comrades fall to 6^th place in the Lough 41 Championship.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met was back in April 2021 where Ryan Swan struck 15 minutes from time at Milltown to edge Warrenpoint past the Comrades and into the Irish Cup last 16. Francis McCaffrey had put Barry Gray’s men in front just before the interval only for Paul Harbinson’s hard-working side to draw level through Ciaran Dobbin early in the second period. Swan blasted home what proved to be the winner on 75 minutes after Gallagher had headed a McCaffrey cross off the post.

We travel to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium tomorrow evening to take on Institute in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Friday 23^rd September – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Institute picked up a first win of the campaign with a three-goal victory away to Dergview last week. Scoreless at the break, substitute Jamie Dunne opened the scoring just a couple of minutes into the second half with a touch into the bottom left corner. Dunne then doubled his tally on 71 minutes after rounding off a flowing team move before Cormac Burke knocked home Institute’s third from the spot with eight minutes remaining.

The Comrades

The Comrades had a weekend to forget last week with a 5-2 defeat away to Newington. Darren Stuart opened the scoring for the Swans with two goals midway through the first half. He headed into the top corner on 21 minutes to break the deadlock before doubling up soon after with a confident finish from inside the box. Ballyclare pulled one back before the break, however, when Calvin McCurry headed home from Conall McGrandles’ corner. The Swans restored their two goal cushion early in the second half through Robert McVarnock who got on the end of a long ball to direct a header past Richard Purcell. Then, four minutes before the hour, Gary Warwick made the most of some indecision in the visiting defence to make it 4-1 … and he added a fifth later in the half after pouncing on a loose ball. Darius Roohi grabbed a late consolation for the Comrades with a finish from the edge of the box.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met Brendan McLaughlin bagged the stoppage time winner as Institute defeated Ballyclare Comrades at the Brandywell. ‘Stute had gone in front after just 12 minutes when Mark McFadden smashed the ball home following a scramble in the box from a corner. The visitors might have levelled midway through the first half but Ian Fletcher was unable to beat keeper John Connolly from the spot. However, Ballyclare did find their equaliser four minutes after the interval courtesy of Andrew Mooney’s composed finish after he had pounced on an underhit back pass. And that was how it stayed until three minutes into stoppage time when McLaughlin popped up with a back post header to secure a crucial three points for ‘Stute.

We travel to Solitude tomorrow afternoon to take on Newington in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 17^th September – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Solitude

What: Lough 41 Championship

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

The Opponents

Newington’s opening five league games have them sitting midtable in the Lough 41 Championship with one win, two draws and two defeats. Their last outing was away to Warrenpoint during the week in the Bet McLean League Cup where they fell at the first hurdle due to a Luke Walsh first half header for ‘point.

The Comrades

The Comrades came from two goals down to advance past Ballinamallard to the next round of the Bet McLean League Cup on Tuesday night after a thrilling encounter at Dixon Park. The visitors grabbed the lead in the opening 30 minutes when a counter-attacked ended with Declan Breen having to make a good save from a McAleer effort from inside the box, but Reece Byrne was first to the loose ball, slotting home from 6 yards. With Comrades reeling from going behind, Mallards doubled their lead in the 33^rd minute when they beat the offside trap and Edgar ran free to finish confidently past Breen. The hosts pulled a goal back on 37 minutes when a Mallards player blocked a Liam Hassin effort with an outstretched arm inside the box and a penalty was awarded which Darius Roohi confidently dispatched. The hosts had a great chance to level the scores on 71 minutes when they were awarded another penalty after a great move down the left ended with a ball into the box being blocked by another outstretched Mallards arm. Recently introduced substitute Cathal Farren stepped up to take the penalty but his effort placed just inside the post was kept out by a superb save from Ray. Incredibly, five minutes later, Comrades were awarded their third penalty of the night when Calvin McCurry was chopped down in the box. This time Gary Donnelly took the responsibility to shoot from the spot and he made no mistake to equalise for his team. The game moved to extra-time and on 101 minutes the guile of Gary Donnelly unlocked the visitors’ defence to find Conall Curran who finished confidently from 15 yards to put Comrades ahead for the first time in the game. In the dying moments of the game the visitors were caught out pressing forward when ‘keeper Ray was robbed of the ball just inside the Mallards half by Liam Hassin who ran forward to slot home into the empty net and seal victory for Comrades.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in a competitive fixture was almost exactly 4 years ago in the County Antrim Shield at Dixon Park. The scores were tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes, but it was the Comrades who would progress to the next round with 2 goals in the second half securing the victory.

We welcome Ballinamallard United to Dixon Park tomorrow evening for the first round of the Bet McLean League Cup.

Match Info

When: Tuesday 13^th September – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Bet McLean League Cup – Round 1

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (OAP & U16) / £3 (U12 in the company of an adult). A reminder to all season ticket holders that season tickets are not valid for cup competitions.

Match & Ball Sponsor: Ballyclare Comrades FC Supporters Club

The Opponents

The Mallards are yet to record a victory in the Lough 41 Championship after their opening 5 fixtures this season. Their last outing was a 2-1 home defeat to Dundela at Ferney Park. The visitors moved in front after 11 minutes through Eamon Fyfe who connected with a Tony Kane corner to head past keeper Michael Lynch. Ballinamallard levelled, however, around the half-hour mark through Caolan McAleer. And that was how it stayed until midway through the second half when supersub Rhys Annett followed up with the winner after Kane’s initial effort had been pushed away.

The Comrades

The Comrades suffered the disappointment of a penalty shoot-out defeat to Dundela last week to exit the County Antrim Shield away at Wilgar Park. The home side started the strongest and took a deserved lead on 10 minutes when Igiehon received the ball in the box after an incisive thrust up the right and turned neatly to fire low into the far corner of the net. Dundela looked very capable of increasing their lead and they would have only for great goalkeeping from Declan Breen. The Comrades levelled the scores in the 68th minute when Joe Tully played a ball which eluded the home defence and set substitute Conall Curran free in the box and he coolly knocked the ball over the ‘keeper from 6 yards. Both sides pushed for a winner, however, it was the Comrades who may have come closest on the 89th minute when Darius Roohi played a great ball in from the left edge of the box which was met by a diving Joe Tully header from 9 yards that came out off the underside of the bar. Then, from the rebound, ‘keeper Cairns produced a great save to turn Conall Curran’s effort onto the bar. At the final whistle, the match moved straight to penalties to decide the winner. The hosts went first, and Magee scored, with Darius Roohi then levelling with Comrades’ opening penalty. However, it was Comrades who were the first to blink when Cairns saved Joe Tully’s effort which was Comrades second. All the next penalties were converted with Gary Donnelly and Conall Currran successful for Comrades until Dundela had the chance to wrap up victory with their fifth penalty. Goalkeeper Cairns stepped up to take it but was foiled by a save from Declan Breen. However, Cairns was to be the Dundela hero after all as he saved the next penalty taken by Elliot McKim to send his team through.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, the Comrades and Mallards fought out a scoreless draw in the season opener at Dixon Park. Ballinamallard squandered an early chance to seize the advantage when, after a quarter-of-an-hour, BJ Banda struck the crossbar with a penalty after he had been brought down by Conall McGrandles. For Ballyclare Joe Tully perhaps came closest just before the break only to be denied by a goalline Mark Stafford clearance. Stafford saved the Mallards again later in the game with another header off the line to thwart Cathal Farren while Banda had a late chance only to send the ball wide from a good position.

We travel to Wilgar Park tomorrow evening to take on Dundela in the first round of the ToalsBet Co Antrim Shield.

Match Info

When: Tuesday 6^th September – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Wilgar Park

What: ToalsBet Co Antrim Shield – Round 1

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Dundela won on the road on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat of Ballinamallard United at Ferney Park. The visitors moved in front after 11 minutes through Eamon Fyfe who connected with a Tony Kane corner to head past keeper Michael Lynch. Ballinamallard levelled, however, around the half-hour mark through Caolan McAleer. And that was how it stayed until midway through the second half when supersub Rhys Annett followed up with the winner after Kane’s initial effort had been pushed away.

The Comrades

The Comrades edged past Knockbreda by the odd goal in five at Dixon Park on Saturday. The home side moved in front after nine minutes when Darius Roohi converted from the spot after Calvin McCurry had been brought down. And that was how it stayed before a couple of quick goals put Knockbreda in the driving seat. First, on the hour, Ross McCaughan headed home from a corner before, nine minutes later, Karl Hamill connected with a cross from the right to find the net at the back post. But Ballyclare levelled soon after courtesy of Cathal Farren’s far post header … with Joe Tully then grabbing what proved to be the winner on 82 minutes with a 25-yard drive.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met, just two weeks ago, the Comrades defeated Dundela at Wilgar Park thanks to a goal in each half. Calvin McCurry opened the scoring for the visitors after 20 minutes when Duns keeper Neil Shields failed to clear the ball. That was how it stayed until nine minutes into the second half after Darius Roohi doubled Ballyclare’s advantage despite a good start from the home side.

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

Match Info

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

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (OAP & U16) / £3 (U12 in the company of an adult)

Match Sponsor: Agnew, Mitchell & Cairns Accountants

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

The Opponents

A late Anthony Burns goal proved to be the difference between Knockbreda and Newington at ‘Breda Park last week. The 27-year-old struck right at the end of normal time to secure the points for the home side a few moments after the visitors had been reduced to ten men following Fra Brennan’s dismissal for a second bookable offence. Knockbreda currently occupy 5^th position in the Lough 41 Championship table, just 1 point behind the Comrades.

The Comrades

The Comrades fell to their first defeat of the season last week as Ards claimed all three points with a 2-1 victory at Clandeboye Park. Matthew Tipton’s side needed just over sixty seconds to move in front when Ross Hunter pounced on a mistake at the back to open the scoring. It was a lead they held until eight minutes into the second half after Calvin McCurry latched onto a Kyle Beggs pass to lob keeper Alex Moore. However, Eamon Scannell bagged what proved to be the winner with six minutes remaining with a header following a counter attack down the right. The result keeps The Comrades on 7 points from the opening 4 games, sitting 4^th in the Lough 41 Championship table.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in April 2022, they shared six goals in an entertaining encounter at Dixon Park. The Comrades moved in front after a quarter-of-an-hour when Adam McCart beat Daniel Oates with a bullet header but just a couple of minutes after that Ciaran Heggarty was on hand to level for ‘Breda. Ballyclare scored twice early in the second half to move firmly into the lead. Jason Johnston nodded home a Ryan Arthur free-kick before Liam Hassin tapped home a third after Kyle Beggs had sent the ball to the back post. ‘Breda reduced the deficit on 72 minutes through Karl Hamill on the counter attack before Lee McGreevy bagged the equaliser in stoppage time.