Month: December 2022

We welcome Newington to Dixon Park this afternoon for our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Monday 26^th December – 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: Ballyclare Radiator Services

Ball Sponsor: Studio 51, 51 Main Street Ballyclare

The Opponents

Last week, goals from substitutes Padraig Slane and Aodhfionn Casey helped Newington defeat HW Welders at Solitude. Scoreless at the break, the deadlock was finally broken on 73 minutes when Slane picked up the ball in the area and beat keeper Sam Johnston with a low hard ball driven into the bottom corner at the near post. Then, just four minutes after that, Casey doubled Newington’s lead when Gary Warwick cut the ball back from the touchline for Casey to fire home from the edge of the area just inside the right post. The Welders did bag a late consolation in stoppage time when Michael McLellan knocked home the rebound after his initial effort had been touched onto the crossbar.

The Comrades

The Comrades are returning to action for the first time since the beginning of the month following recent fixture postponements. Their last time out saw them battle to an equal share of the goals away to Knockbreda. Scoreless at the break, ‘Breda moved in front just three minutes into the second half with Anto Burns’ finish into the roof of the net from a Max Greer low ball across the box. But the visitors levelled just after the hour to secure a point when Darius Roohi found Calvin McCurry six yards out to beat Jonah Nicholl.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in September, the Comrades had a weekend to forget 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.

We travel to Lakeview Park this afternoon to take on Loughgall in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

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

Where: Lakeview Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Last week, leaders Loughgall came from behind to claim a point from Institute at the Brandywell. The Villagers had the majority of chances in the scoreless first half, but fell behind not long after the interval when Cathair Friel ran onto a through ball from Mark McFadden to beat Berraat Turker with a composed finish. But Loughgall levelled with just over a quarter-of-an-hour remaining through Tiernan Kelly after connecting with a corner.

The Comrades

Before last weekend’s fixture was postponed, Conall Curran knocked home the only goal of the game as Ballyclare Comrades defeated Institute at Dixon Park. The Comrades man struck on 81 minutes from close range after connecting with a low ball delivered by Kyle Beggs. The result sees the Comrades leapfrog Institute into 6^th position in the Lough 41 Championship.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in October, Lough left Dixon Park with all three points following a four-goal victory over Ballyclare Comrades. Scoreless at the break, Championship player of the month Nedas Maciulaitis edged the Villagers in front on the hour after he was quickest to react to the loose ball from a Nathaniel Ferris effort. He then made it 2-0 nine minutes later after connecting with an Ally Teggart pass … and Teggart himself got on the scoresheet after that with a deflected finish from just outside the box. Benji Magee completed the scoring with a couple of minutes remaining just after Ryan Masterson had smashed an effort against the crossbar.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 10^th December – 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: Abbey Real Estate

Ball Sponsor: The Mortgage Shop. You Talk. We Listen.

The Opponents

Last week, Annagh United hit three goals without reply past Dundela as second met third in the Lough 41 Championship. Stephen Murray fired Annagh in front on 18 minutes with a left footed effort after Ruairi McDonald had teed him up. Then, nine minutes into the second half, the roles were reversed when Murray found McDonald who duly lifted the ball over Macauley Cairns and into the net. Ben Eagle then completed the scoring in stoppage time after Conor Mullen had pounced on a defensive mistake to create the opening.

The Comrades

Last week, Knockbreda and Ballyclare Comrades battled to an equal share of the goals at Breda Park. Scoreless at the break, ‘Breda moved in front just three minutes into the second half with Anto Burns’ finish into the roof of the net from a Max Greer low ball across the box. But the visitors levelled just after the hour to secure a point when Darius Roohi found Calvin McCurry six yards out to beat Jonah Nicholl.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in October, both sides had to settle for a point from Ballyclare Comrades’ visit to Annagh United. Paul Finnegan edged Ciaran McGurgan’s side in front on 18 minutes from Adam Glenny’s delivery. It was a lead they held until the closing moments when Darius Roohi headed home an equaliser from a Cathal Farren free-kick.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 3^rd December – Kick-Off 2:00pm

Where: Breda Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Last week, Knockbreda lost out to Ballinamallard United who came from behind to defeat Knockbreda at Ferney Park. ‘Breda held the advantage at the break when the unmarked Ewan McCoubrey headed past Michael Lynch. The Mallards levelled on 70 minutes after ‘Breda defender Ross McCaughan turned a Peter Maguire effort into his own net. The visitors were reduced to ten men soon after when Tamer Atrach was dismissed for violent conduct before, five minutes after that, Caolan McAleer bagged the winner for Harry McConkey’s side.

The Comrades

Last week, Conall Curran knocked home the only goal of the game as Ballyclare Comrades defeated Institute at Dixon Park. The Comrades man struck on 81 minutes from close range after connecting with a low ball delivered by Kyle Beggs. The result sees the Comrades leapfrog Institute into 6^th position in the Lough 41 Championship.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in September, Ballyclare Comrades edged past Knockbreda by the odd goal in five at Dixon Park. 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.