Paul Harbinson and Ciaran Heggarty share their thoughts as Ballyclare Comrades finally get back to winning ways against top of the table Newry City AFC.
Pre-Match Guide | Newry City 27/12/21
We travel to Newry Showgrounds tomorrow afternoon to take on Newry City in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.
Match Info
When: Monday 27th December – Kick-Off 3:00pm
Where: Newry Showgrounds
What: Lough 41 Championship
Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (Concession) / U12 FREE
The Opponents
Newry are flying high at the moment and currently occupy top spot in the Lough 41 Championship table. Last week, a Daniel Hughes goal proved enough for leaders Newry City to defeat bottom of the table Queen’s University at The Dub. Hughes squeezed the ball past keeper Conan Doherty at the right post to maintain an eight point lead at the top for Darren Mullen’s side after they had been held by the Students for almost an hour.
The Comrades
Last week, Ards proved too strong for the Comrades as they swept to a 4-2 victory at Dixon Park. Ards might have moved in front as early as the opening minute when presented with a penalty but Kyle Calderwood’s spot-kick was saved by Jack Ferguson. The deadlock was broken on ten minutes, however, when Ciaran Heggarty nodded Ballyclare in front from Ian Fletcher’s free-kick. However, two goals in quick succession midway through the first half tipped the balance in Ards’ favour. Conall McGrandles levelled on 21 minutes with a header from Patrick Cafolla’s corner before, four minutes after that, Ross Arthurs made it 2-1 with a finish in off an upright. Ards further extended their advantage just before the hour when Cafolla found the net but Ballyclare came back into proceedings on 73 minutes through Chris Ramsey’s header from Ashton McDermott’s cross. But Salou Jallow made sure of the points for Ards deep into stoppage time after rounding Ferguson to calmly slot home. The result saw the Comrades drop to 8th position in the Lough 41 Championship table. Speaking on tomorrow’s upcoming fixture, Paul Harbinson explained how the Comrades must “try so hard to put away the narrative of where we are and just focus on the game to see what we can get from it.”
Last Time Out
The last time these two sides met was back in September when the Comrades secured a narrow 1-0 victory over table-toppers Newry at Dixon Park. Scoreless at the break, the only goal of the game came seven minutes into the second half through Gary Donnelly who finished on the half volley from six yards out after Tom Mathieson had teed the ball up.
WATCH: Match Reaction | Paul Harbinson on Ballyclare Comrades 2-4 Ards
Paul Harbinson shares his thoughts on Ballyclare Comrades falling short against Ards. Five goals are presented throughout the interview.
Pre-Match Guide | Ards 18/12/21
We return home tomorrow afternoon as the Comrades welcome Ards to Dixon Park in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.
Match Info
When: Saturday 18th December – Kick-Off 3:00pm
Where: Dixon Park
What: Lough 41 Championship
Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (Concession)
Match Sponsor – Ballyclare Radiator Services
Ball Sponsor – Country Diner Catering
The Opponents
Ards currently occupy 6th spot in the Lough 41 Championship. Last week, they travelled to Blanchflower Park where they were defeated 2-1 by HW Welders. Scott Davidson opened the scoring for the Welders on 28 minutes when, on the counter, he got on the end of a low driven ball across the box to smash the finish past Brian Neeson. The Welders then doubled their advantage early in the second through substitute Matthew Henry after Davidson found him in space inside the area to beat Neeson at the near post. Ards managed to pull one back on 78 minutes after Salou Jallow found Paddy Cafolla on the edge of the area who then turned and sent a clinical strike past Ben McCauley from 12 yards, but the Welders done enough to hang on to all 3 points.
The Comrades
Two goals midway through the second half saw Dergview defeat Ballyclare Comrades at Darragh Park last week. Scoreless at the break, the Comrades came close to open the scoring on a number of occasions. Ciaran Heggarty flashed a header just wide early on before turning provider to tee up Gary Donnelly to send a 20-yard effort the wrong side of the target. Heggarty continued to be a threat, with another header coming from a Lee McCune cross while, early in the second half, he twice tested Dergview keeper Alan Buchanan albeit with no success. However, that all counted for nothing on 67 minutes when the home side moved in front courtesy of Cathal Farren’s successfully converted spot-kick. Then, just six minutes after that, it was 2-0 after a good team move teed Matthew Kirk up to beat Richard Purcell with a sublime finish. The result sees the Comrades drop to 8th position in the Lough 41 Championship for the first time this season. Speaking on tomorrow’s fixture, Paul Harbinson is looking forward to “getting back home again and feeling the buzz of our hometown, feeling the buzz of our home community. We’re all in this together and we will get there.”
Last Time Out
The last time these two sides met. Ards stormed to a comprehensive 3-0 victory at Clandeboye Park back in September. Ards opened the scoring on the half-hour mark when a ball played into the box wasn’t cleared by the Comrades and fell to Cafolla who drilled an excellent finish into the net from the edge of the box. On 42 minutes, the hosts doubled their lead; a well-worked move opened up the Comrades defence and created the chance for Arthurs to blast an unstoppable finish past Jack Ferguson from 16 yards. Ards finished off a deserved win with another goal late in the game. Comrades were exposed by a quick break up-field which beat the offside trap and the ball was played low into the box by Jallow, setting up McCurry to finish from 10 yards.
WATCH: Match Reaction | Paul Harbinson on Dergview 2-0 Ballyclare Comrades
Paul Harbinson reflects on Ballyclare’s away defeat to Dergview.
WATCH: Match Reaction | Chris Ramsey on Dergview 2-0 Ballyclare Comrades
Chris Ramsey shares his thoughts as the Comrades suffered another away defeat to Dergview.
Pre-Match Guide | Dergview 11/12/21
It’s back to league action as we travel to Darragh Park tomorrow afternoon to take on Dergview in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.
Match Info
When: Saturday 11th December – Kick-Off 3:00pm
Where: Darragh Park
What: Lough 41 Championship
Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (Concession)
The Opponents
Dergview currently occupy 9th spot in the Lough 41 Championship. A win tomorrow would see them leapfrog the Comrades who are just 2 points ahead in 7th. Last week, a Darren Murray second half hat-trick saw HW Welders defeat Dergview 3-1 at Blanchflower Park. Scoreless at the break, Murray fired the Welders in front just short of the hour mark with a great finish. Jamie Browne levelled for Dergview on 69 minutes with a chipped finish past Ben McCauley into the corner of the net. The Welders were reduced to ten men on 78 minutes after Michael McLellan picked up his second booking in the space of few minutes for unsporting behaviour. However, the home side responded positively and duly moved back into the lead with a couple of minutes remaining with Murray’s second of the afternoon … and the same player followed that up with his hat-trick goal deep into stoppage time.
The Comrades
It’s been a rough patch for the Comrades of late. Without a win in their last 7 league outings, things didn’t get much easier as they suffered a heavy 8-0 defeat to East Antrim rivals, Larne, during the week in the Semi Final of the ToalsBet.com Co Antrim Shield. It was always going to be a tough task against the full-time Danske Bank Premiership side, but a goal inside the first 5 minutes, followed by two individual errors sent the Comrades in at half-time 3-0 down. The second half saw Larne even more dominant, with their constant movement and extra fitness bamboozling a tiring Comrades team and the Larne men went on to score 5 more to see out a thumping victory. Despite a difficult night and difficult patch, Paul Harbinson spoke after the game about how it’s time to “lift ourselves, take the shackles off, stop with all of the pressure talk, just focus on our jobs and get back to this group of players who want to play for each other. Even after (the Larne match), the players grouped together, they’re in it together and we’re fighting for each other”.
Last Time Out
The last time these two sides met in October, an Andrew Mooney double helped Ballyclare Comrades defeat Dergview at Darragh Park. 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.
Pre-Match Guide | Larne 7/12/21
We travel to Inver Park Park tomorrow evening to take on Larne in the ToalsBet.com Co Antrim Shield Semi-Final.
Match Info
When: Tuesday 7th December – Kick-Off 7:45pm
Where: Inver Park
What: ToalsBet.com Co Antrim Shield Semi-Final
Entry: TICKET ONLY. No cash gate will be available. Comrades fans will be in the McKay Stand at Inver Park, and tickets priced at £10 adult and £6 concession are available at the link below:
The Opponents
Larne are currently sitting 4th in the Danske Bank Premiership, just 4 points off top spot. Last week, Three second half goals helped Larne eventually get past Warrenpoint Town at Inver Park. The game got off to a bright start with chances at both ends inside the opening couple of minutes. Ben Doherty fired just over from a David McDaid cut back for Larne while, for ‘Point, Kealan Dillon sent the ball a little too high. That trend continued with Alan O’Sullivan being denied by Michael Argyrides with Ronan Hale then seeing an effort blocked soon after. Then, midway through the first half, Conor Mitchell made a point blank save from Doherty before ‘Point responded with a Thomas Maguire deflected shot dropping narrowly off target. Larne moved in front on 48 minutes courtesy of Albert Watson’s back post header after he broke free to connect with Doherty’s corner from the right. McDaid then made it 2-0 six minutes after that after running onto a Mark Randall through ball to keep his composure to slot past Mitchell. And Larne’s third arrived with 20 minutes remaining after Hale combined with Tomas Cosgrove to fire into the bottom corner.
The Comrades
Friday night saw Dundela sweep to a three-goal victory over the Comrades at Wilgar Park. The visitors started on the front foot, enjoying plenty of possession during the opening exchanges but they fell behind on 19 minutes when Jay Magee found the net with a header from a corner. Ballyclare attempted to work their way back into the game with Liam Hassin and Joe Tully both testing Marc Matthews but the home keeper proved equal to every challenge thrown at him. Still trailing, Ballyclare upped the tempo after the break and came close early on when Tully saw a header deflected over the bar. Liam McKenna then connected with a Ciaran Dobbin cross but, again, this went over as did another Tully effort on the hour. Then, with ten minutes remaining, Ballyclare were awarded a spot-kick but it was an evening when Matthews was proving unbeatable as he made the save from Chris Ramsey. That proved to be a decisive moment when the Duns immediately broke down the other end and doubled their advantage through Jordan Hughes before, with three minutes remaining, David McMaster made sure by turning home number three for Niall Currie’s side. The result keeps the Comrades in 7th spot in the Lough 41 Championship.
Last Time Out
The last time these two sides met was in October 2020 in the first round of this very same competition. Albert Watson opened the scoring at Inver Park in the 20th minute after Jack Ferguson had saved the initial header from a Larne corner, Watson followed in with the rebound. Dean Jarvis doubled Larne’s lead in the 72nd minute when a heavily deflected free-kick left ‘keeper Ferguson no chance. That was how it stayed as Larne ran out 2-0 winners and progressed to the next round.
Pre-Match Guide | Dundela 3/12/21
We travel to Wilgar Park tomorrow evening to take on Dundela in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.
Match Info
When: Friday 3rd December – Kick-Off 7:45pm
Where: Wilgar Park
What: Lough 41 Championship
Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (Concession)
The Opponents
Dundela currently occupy 11th spot in the Lough 41 Championship. Last week, they battled to an equal share of the goals against Newry City in difficult conditions at a blustery Wilgar Park. James Teelan opened the scoring for Newry after eight minutes. He got on the end of a touch forward to flick the ball past Kyle Owens and beat Marc Matthews with a near post right foot finish. The Duns levelled almost immediately, however, through Guillaume Keke with a half volley from point blank range after a Tony Kane free-kick from wide on the right had been knocked on inside the box. And the frantic start continued with a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock when Johnny Taylor fired the home side into the lead from another Kane set piece, a corner on this occasion, after the ball fell loose from Jay Magee’s initial header had been well kept out by Steven Maguire. That was how it stayed until four minutes from the hour when Darren King levelled for Newry to ultimately secure a share of the spoils.
The Comrades
Last week, the Comrades staged a late comeback to recover a two-goal deficit and salvage a point from HW Welders at Blanchflower Park. The Welders moved in front on 38 minutes through Alan McMurtry who smashed the ball home from eight yards after receiving a low cross from the left. Josh Boyd doubled the home advantage on 67 minutes with a back post finish when the ball was played across the box into his path. But Ballyclare pulled a goal back just five minutes after that through Liam Hassin with a 25-yard effort into the top corner after a set piece was only partially cleared. And the Comrades secured a point with four minutes left on the clock when Matthew Herron found the net from Tom Mathieson’s cross. The draw keeps the Comrades in 7th spot in the Lough 41 Championship on 27 points.
Last Time Out
The last time these two sides met at the beginning of October, Ballyclare Comrades defeated Dundela by a single first half goal at Dixon Park. The Comrades crafted the first chance of the night after nine minutes when Chris Ramsey sent a header from a Liam McKenna corner onto the crossbar before the ball fell to safety. What proved to be the winner came with just over a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock after a mix-up in the Dundela defence allowed Andy Mooney to set up McKenna to score from a tap in. The rest of the game was an entertaining, end to end encounter but Ballyclare held on to secure all three points although keeper Richard Purcell had to be alert in the closing minutes to thwart a header from Guillaume Keke as the visitors searched for an equaliser.
Match Tickets | Larne 7/12/21
Entry to our upcoming ToalsBet.com County Antrim Shield Semi Final clash against Larne next Tuesday 7th December is by TICKET ONLY. No cash gate will be available.
Comrades fans will be in the McKay Stand at Inver Park, and tickets priced at £10 adult and £6 concession are available at the link below: