Match Sponsor: Ballyclare Comrades Supporters Club

Ball Sponsor: Ballyclare Comrades Supporters Club

Match Photos: Graeme Bolton Photography

Tuesday 28th April 2009 - Ladbrokes.com IFA Championship

Ballyclare Comrades team

Bench: 12.Ronnie Burns  14.Andrew Ferguson  15.Stuart McCullough  17.Gareth Curlett  18.Marty McAvoy

Dergview: L.Forsythe, J.Carlin, Coulter, Dickson, Robinson, H.Carlin, Campbell, Burke, A.Lecky, Sproule, Ferry. Bench: Barclay, M.Lecky, Mullen, P.Carlin.

Comrades substitutions

Darren Nelson (77')

Ronnie Burns (77')

Goals

Ballyclare Comrades - Darren Nelson (69')

Comrades cards

Mark Craig (61')

Ryan Murray (90+1')

Comrades man of the match

Paul Caldwell

Comrades secured three vital points in their quest for a place in the top level of the IFA Championship next season with a narrow win over fellow strugglers Dergview at a sparsely attended Dixon Park.

Gordon Chambers made two changes from the side which had lost so disappointingly at Carrick at the weekend, with Darren Nelson replacing Ronnie Burns up front and Kyle Agnew coming in for Marty McAvoy on the right of midfield. He also lined the team up in a 3-5-2 formation, rather than the normal 4-4-2.

Comrades started brightly enough and in the 3rd minute created a half chance when a cross from the right by Darren Nelson found the head of Andy Simms, 8 yards out, but under challenge he could only head well over the bar.

Soon, however, the first half deteriorated into a very scrappy affair with goalmouth action virtually non-existent. Comrades had the bulk of possession but struggled with ideas to get beyond the Dergview defence. At the other end the visitors produced a few raking passes to set their wingers free, but the end product was not there.

Both keepers were under-employed in a frustrating first 45 minutes. Paddy Flood had almost nothing to concern him, although he would have been glad to see a shot from Adam Lecky from 20 yards sail over the bar on 15 minutes, after the Dergview striker had been put through by a piercing pass.

The first half had been a hugely disappointing affair, but there was some improvement in the second period, with Comrades pressing and looking rather more dangerous than their previous toothless display.

On 49 minutes an Andy Simms free-kick floated into the box was met by a header from Andy Forsythe, which sailed over the bar from 9 yards out. Then, a minute later, a long kick out from Paddy Flood caused problems for the visitors’ defence and Darren Nelson latched on to it in the box, but his first-time volleyed effort from 14 yards went straight at keeper Lee Forsythe.

Paddy Flood had been a virtual spectator until 55 minutes, when he had to pull off a fine save after Hugh Carlin struck a free-kick from 20 yards, which stung his hands.

The visitors continued with their tactic of long balls to their wingers, but the end result was still disappointing from their point of view, with the final delivery being poor. On 64 minutes Paddy Flood did have to be alert to grab the ball as Adam Lecky was about to latch on to it from a long kick out by the Dergview keeper.

Comrades, however, continued to look the more lively side. On 67 minutes Ryan Murray struck a good low effort from 30 yards, which Lee Forsythe had to uncomfortably push clear. However, there was nothing the Dergview keeper could do two minutes later when Comrades grabbed the crucial goal. Mark Craig and Darren Nelson challenged for a high ball in the box, which caused problems for the visitors’ defence. The ball broke to Nelson, 12 yards out to the left, who swung and completely missed an attempted volley. However, he had space for a second effort and made no mistake, arcing a shot over the keeper and into the far top corner of the net.

The goal seemed to lift Comrades and now they looked capable of adding to the lead. A minute later, they almost had another when a deep Andy Simms ball into the box from the left was met by Mark Craig challenging with the keeper close in to goal, but Lee Forsythe managed to divert Craig’s headed effort wide.

On 73 minutes Mark Craig and the Dergview keeper were again involved together when another high ball into the box caused confusion and Craig lifted the ball high over the out-rushing keeper, before seemingly being flattened by his challenge. The referee, however, surprisingly waved aside claims for a penalty.

Comrades, at this stage were looking comfortable with the lead, and likely to add to it. On 76 minutes a Simon McGowan pile driver from 35 yards flew narrowly wide of the post. Then, two minutes later, with Comrades pressing, the ball broke to Ryan Murray in the box. He then surged past a tackle before shooting from 7 yards, but his effort went too close to the keeper who was able to save.

Comrades had a great chance to seal the win on 86 minutes when a fine diagonal ball from Andy Simms set Mark Craig free on the right of the box. He shot from 8 yards, but Forsythe made a fine block to deny him.

This ensured a nervy final few minutes for Comrades and they were fortunate that their lead was not wiped on 89 minutes. A free-kick was conceded just outside the box and Coulter stepped up to curl a fine effort, which struck the top of the crossbar, with Paddy Flood beaten.

In the end the final whistle brought relief for the Comrades fans, who celebrated a win which puts their side in pole position to beat Tobermore United for the vital 14th league position.

Whilst the game was a poor affair, particularly in the first half, and Comrades performance far from spectacular, the three points are what really matters. There can also be satisfaction at another decent defensive display, as the side has looked more solid in that respect in recent matches.