Match Photos: Graeme Bolton Photography 

Match Highlights Video: Camera - Ryan Tweedie; Editing - Graeme Bolton

Saturday 15th August 2009 - Labrokes.com Championship 1

Ballyclare Comrades team

Subs: 12.Andy Simms, 14.Keith Armstrong, 15.Johnny Gowdy, 16.Mark Drysdale

Comrades substititions

Andy Long (32')

Mark Drysdale (32')

Darren Munster (72')

Andy Simms (72')

Kyle Agnew (72')

Johnny Gowdy (72')

Goals

Mark McClelland (44')

Trevor Parkhill (79')

Ian Bellingham o.g. (80')

Comrades cards

Andy Long (14')

Simon McGowan (30')

David Officer (40')

Sam McWilliams (59')

Comrades man of the match

Mark McClelland

Comrades grabbed their first point of the new Championship 1 campaign with a hard fought victory over Glebe Rangers at a windy Riada Stadium in Ballymoney.

After a very encouraging display against Donegal Celtic in the County Antrim Shield in midweek, manager Gordon Chambers reverted to a more familiar 4-4-2 line up, with Mark McClelland returning up front after injury, replacing the suspended midfielder Stuart Galbraith.

Glebe started the game with the strong wind at their backs and were first to threaten. On 4 minutes Wharry sent a well struck shot from 25 yards towards goal, but Allen Huxley was well placed to save.

In the 10th minute Comrades had a decent chance to take the lead with their first real venture into the Glebe box. A swift move up-field saw Mark McClelland link up with Darren Munster who then lofted the ball to Ricky Moore, unmarked on the left side of the 6 yard box. Unfortunately for him the ball bounced at a difficult height and he scooped a first-time effort wide, when he may have been better advised to control the ball first.

The wind was proving increasingly difficult for both sides and the game was therefore unsurprisingly scrappy. There was, however, a moment of danger from the home side on 28 minute when a good low cross from the left found Steele whose first time effort from 10 yards flew just wide of the post.

Comrades’ defence had been coping fairly well against the wind, restricting the home side to mostly a few speculative efforts. However, on 32 minutes Andy Long had to retire injured, to be replaced by Mark Drysdale.

The half continued in with the pattern of rather disjointed play, as both sides struggled with the conditions. A feature was Comrades picking up a number of bookings and there was obvious unhappiness at some inconsistency in the refereeing, with fouls by Glebe players going unpunished.

Just as the half looked like ending scoreless, Comrades snatched the lead, a minute before the break. Kyle Agnew did very well to win the ball outside the Glebe box and then slide a pass in to set Mark McClelland free on the right of the area. The big Comrades striker then produced a sweet finish from 8 yards, slotting the ball low wide of keeper Kane and into the bottom corner of the net.

The second half saw Comrades with the wind at their tail, but again it did not prove that much of an advantage, although they did go on to have the bulk of the attacking possession.

Four minutes in and Comrades showed an intention to shoot on sight, when Ricky Moore did well to set up David Officer for a shot from 20 yards, but Kane saved comfortably.

Chances were still few and far between for either side, but at this stage Comrades looked fairly comfortable with their lead and if anything looked the more likely side to score again.

On 64 minutes David Officer produced a lovely turn and a resulting shot from 20 yards which went just over the bar. Then, five minutes later, Comrades used the wind to their advantage, with Allen Huxley pumping a huge kick towards the Glebe box, where Mark McClelland managed to muscled past a defender and get his foot to the bouncing ball, his effort going just over the bar.

The home side whilst battling gamely, had rarely serious threatened the Comrades goal in the second half, but on 79 minutes they were back on level terms; a couple of missed tackles and poor marking allowing Parkhill the time and space to drill a shot past Allen Huxley from 8 yards.

Comrades’ disappointment at this setback was very short lived, however, as they struck back a minute later to regain the lead. A free-kick was won 25 yards out towards the right touchline. Andy Simms then whipped a wicked ball into the box, which took a touch off the head of defender Bellingham and flew into the net past the stranded keeper.

Five minutes later Comrades nearly sealed the victory when Mark McClelland nipped in to steal the ball after a woeful mix up between the Glebe keeper and defenders, but Kane made amends, quickly blocking McClelland’s effort from 13 yards.

The final few minutes saw Glebe press for an equaliser, but Comrades were able to repel their attacks and hang on to the precious three points.

This was a pleasing result for Comrades, who will be relieved to get their first league win notched up on the second Saturday of the season. It is hard to judge the performance, given the very difficult conditions, but it is clear that this Comrades side may not be the strugglers many have suggested they might be after so many personnel changes in the summer. Gordon Chambers looks like he could be developing a useful squad for the season ahead.