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We travel to Wilgar Park this evening to take on Dundela in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Tuesday 11^th April – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Wilgar Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Dundela and Warrenpoint Town battled to a share of the spoils at Milltown on Saturday. The Duns moved in front after a quarter-of-an-hour. David McMaster did well down the right flank before finding Jonah Mitchell to took the ball past a defender before beating Conor Mitchell from 20 yards. Macauley Cairns kept the visitors in front on 36 minutes when he produced a fantastic save to thwart Adam Carroll’s close range header. However, ‘Point did find a way through early in the second half when Luke Wade Slater saw his effort from a corner find the net in off defender Jaimie McGovern.

The Comrades

Ballyclare Comrades stretched their unbeaten Championship run to eight games with victory over Annagh United at Dixon Park. Darius Roohi opened the scoring after just five minutes when he picked up the loose ball some 25 yards from goal and fired low into the corner. Ballyclare did have the ball in the net again on 36 minutes but this was ruled out by the officials, but Annagh levelled ten minutes after the break through Stephen Murray sent a curling left foot effort into the top corner. However, the home side secured the points nine minutes from time when 16-year-old Michael Leetch fired into the corner of the net.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in February, Ballyclare Comrades clocked up a third successive league victory with a one-goal defeat of Dundela at Dixon Park. Scoreless at the break, the only goal of the game arrived nine minutes into the second half when Gary Donnelly’s free-kick from the left was headed past Sam Johnston by Conall McGrandles.

We welcome Annagh United to Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon for our first post-split Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 8^th April – 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: McConnell’s Bar Doagh

Ball Sponsor: S&J Irvine Funeral Directors

The Opponents

Annagh United enter the post-split period occupying 3^rd position in the Lough 41 Championship. Their poor form in recent weeks continued with defeat to Ballinamallard United in their last game pre-split. A goal in each half helped the Mallards defeat Annagh at the BMG Arena. Mark Stafford opened the scoring with just less than a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock following a bright start to the game that also saw Annagh come close on a couple of occasions. That was how it stayed until seven minutes from the end when Patrick Ferry found the net.

The Comrades

Following Ballinamallard United’s dramatic defeat away to Knockbreda last weekend, the Comrades enter the post-split period occupying 6^th position in the Lough 41 Championship. Newington and Ballyclare Comrades battled to an equal share of the points and goals at Solitude for their last game pre-split. The Swans moved in front after 13 minutes with a confident finish after collecting a pass into the box. Darius Roohi levelled for Ballyclare three minutes from the break with a header from Cillin Gilmour’s cross before, right at the end of the half, Conall McGrandles nodded the visitors in front at the near post after Paul Donnelly had sent over a corner. But it ended honours even when, on 73 minutes, Eamonn Hughes converted from the spot for Newington.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in March, the Comrades defeated Annagh 3-1 at the BMG Arena. Scoreless at the break, Ian Fletcher opened the scoring around the hour mark with a high ball into the box that keeper Ronan Burns dropped into the net. Callum Ferris doubled up soon after with a close range header before Joe Tully steered a volley into the net with just over five minutes remaining. Peter Duffin did pull one back for Annagh after that but it proved to be scant consolation as Ciaran McGurgan’s side fell to a third defeat on the bounce.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 25^th March – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Solitude

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Newington drew 2-2 with Ballinamallard United at Ferney Park last week. The visitors raced into the lead after just three minutes when Darren Stuart found the net before doubling their advantage after the half-hour mark when Michael Morgan made the most of some poor defending. Patrick Ferry pulled one back for the Mallards in first half stoppage time, with Richard Clarke then levelling early in the second half from the spot.

The Comrades

Harry Adair bagged the late winner as Ballyclare Comrades defeated Warrenpoint Town at Dixon Park last week. The 21-year-old popped up in stoppage time with a left foot finish in off the far post after connecting with a Darius Roohi ball. Roohi had opened the scoring on 11 minutes with a back heel finish after Gary Donnelly had squared the ball into his path. ‘Point levelled ten minutes before the break when the unchallenged Ryan Swan headed past keeper Declan Breen. Callum Ferris restored home advantage early in the second half after Liam Hassin’s initial shot came back off the crossbar, but Kealan Dillon hit Warrenpoint’s second soon after from 25 yards. The stoppage time winner sees the Comrades go into the last game pre-split in 5^th spot, 2 points ahead of Ards in 7^th.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides back in December Ballyclare Comrades and Newington shared the spoils from an evenly matched middle of the table clash at Dixon Park. Although scoreless at the break, the visitors did twice come close during the opening 45 minutes when Darren Stuart broke through to fire straight at Declan Breen and then again after half-an-hour only to be denied by a goalline clearance. The sides traded chances in the second half but it took Darius Roohi to break the deadlock with 14 minutes remaining when nodded home a Gary Donnelly free-kick from four yards. However Newington grabbed a point deep into stoppage time when Jack Reilly fired home a great shot from outside the box.

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

Match Info

When: Saturday 18^th February – 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: Philip Robinson Plastering

Ball Sponsor: After Schools Club

The Opponents

Warrenpoint Town moved clear in second spot, five points off the top, following a 2-1 victory over Institute at Milltown last week. Steven Ball fired Barry Gray’s charges in front on 37 minutes with a drilled effort following a good team move. It was a lead they held until three minutes into added time when Adam Carroll seemingly made sure of the win with a brilliant strike but ‘Stute hit back almost immediately through a Sean McCarron free-kick to set up a nervous finish.

The Comrades

The Comrades come home with all 3 points last Saturday following a trip to the BMG Arena where they defeated Annagh United 3-1. Scoreless at the break, Ian Fletcher opened the scoring around the hour mark with a high ball into the box that keeper Ronan Burns dropped into the net. Callum Ferris doubled up soon after with a close range header before Joe Tully steered a volley into the net with just over five minutes remaining. Peter Duffin did pull one back for Annagh after that but it proved to be scant consolation as Ciaran McGurgan’s side fell to a third defeat on the bounce.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides back in January, Owen McConville bagged the late winner as Ballyclare Comrades defeated Warrenpoint Town at Milltown. Scoreless at the break, the home side came closest to breaking the deadlock early on when Ryan Swan turned an effort against an upright. ‘Point hit the post for a second time early in the second half, this time through Fra McCaffrey before a Steven Ball set piece suffered a similar fate after the hour. However, it was the visitors that left with all three points when McConville was on hand to head home a Gary Donnelly corner with just three minutes to go.

We travel to the BMG Arena this afternoon to take on Annagh United in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

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

Where: BMG Area

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Annagh United lost out to Ards at Clandeboye Park last week following a two-goal defeat. Matthew Tipton’s side moved in front on 35 minutes through Adam Salley’s header past keeper Ronan Burns. Then, with just over a quarter-of-an-hour remaining, Ethan Taggart made sure of the points with a super finish.

The Comrades

Bobby Higgins grabbed a late equaliser for Ballyclare Comrades as they earned a point from Loughgall’s visit to Dixon Park on Tuesday night. The Comrades moved in front after 11 minutes when Darius Roohi tapped home the rebound after Callum Ferris’ initial effort was knocked out by keeper Berraat Turker. Loughgall levelled just after the half-hour mark through Ben Murdock’s drive through a crowded box before taking the lead early in the second half when Aaron Duke found the net. But, four minutes into stoppage time, Ballyclare hit back when Higgins directed a header beyond the visiting keeper.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in January Annagh United fought back from two goals down to earn a point away to Ballyclare Comrades. Scoreless at the break, Cillin Gilmour fired Ballyclare in front moments after the interval when the officials ruled his effort had crept over the line despite an attempted clearance. Then, five minutes after that, he doubled the home lead with a free-kick from distance which dipped just under the bar. That was how it stayed until seven minutes from time when Craig Taylor tucked the ball inside the far post on the counter attack. And Annagh secured a point in the sixth minute of added time when Niall McGinley found the net in a dramatic finale to the game.

We welcome Loughgall to Dixon Park tomorrow evening for our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

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

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: SM Plumbing & Heating

The Opponents

Loughgall stretched their lead at the top of the Championship with a narrow defeat of Newington at Lakeview Park last week. Although scoreless at the break the Villagers came close through Caolan Loughran and Tiernan Kelly. Kelly then went one better with the only goal of the game eight minutes into the second half after sending a 25-yard drive past keeper Nathan Kerr. Further efforts followed from Jamie Rea and Aaron Duke as the game progressed but, in the end, that one goal proved to be enough.

The Comrades

The Comrades narrowly lost out to Ballymena United at the weekend after 2 goals in extra time saw the Ballyclare men bow out of the Irish Cup at the Quarter Finals stage. Caomhan McGuinness shot the Championship side into a first-half lead with a shot that almost ripped out the netting and, a shock looked on the cards until United skipper Josh Kelly levelled just after the hour. Minutes before the 90 were up, McGuinness brought down Steven McCullough in the box and United were awarded a penalty. Davy McDaid took on the responsibility, but goalkeeper Declan Breen produced a marvellous save to send the game into extra-time. Only minutes into extra-time McDaid buckled under a challenge from substitute Ian Fletcher and substitute Andy McGrory – the club’s recognised penalty taker – made no mistake this time. But it was left to McDaid to seal the deal with a spectacular solo effort, spinning away on a 40-yard dash, before beating Breen with a low shot.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in January, Loughgall hit two late goals to come from behind to defeat Ballyclare Comrades at Lakeview Park. The Villagers had the ball in the net after just three minutes but Benjamin Magee’s finish was ruled out offside. The deadlock was broken just before the half-hour mark, however, when Ballyclare’s Gary Donnelly converted from the spot after Callum Ferris had been brought down inside the area. Ballyclare were reduced to ten men on 60 minutes after Ferris was shown a straight red card for violent conduct. It took Loughgall until the 86th minute to make their numerical advantage count through Nathaniel Ferris’ equaliser following a period of pressure. Then, deep into stoppage time, Pablo Andrade tucked home the winner after a scramble in front of goal.