Match Sponsor: Cavehill Coaches - Tel: 90862300

Ball Sponsor: Freddie Parkinson Photography - Tel: 07850466606  

Match Photos: Graeme Bolton Photography 

Video Highlights: Camera - Ryan Tweedie,  Edited - Graeme Bolton

Ballyclare Comrades team

Subs: 12.Scott Irvine, 14.Keith Armstrong, 15.Johnny Gowdy, 16.Mark McClelland, 17.Ronnie Burns

Ballinamallard United: Morrison, McConkey, Crilly, Liggett, Stafford, Hutchinson, McManus, Kee, Higginbottom, Crawford, Flaherty. Subs: McGuigan, Kerr, Beacom, McKenna.

Comrades substitutions

Kyle Agnew (73')

Scott Irvine (73')

Niall Devine (77')

Keith Armstrong (77')

Anto Crawford (83')

Ronnie Burns (83')

Comrades cards

Simon McGowan (52')

Andy Forsythe (63')

Comrades man of the match

Simon McGowan

After a number of weeks of cup action, Comrades got back to the hunt for league points with a match against Ballinamallard United, played in beautiful sunny conditions at Dixon Park. Despite the game ending scoreless, the fans who attended could have no complaints over the entertainment provided.  

With a number of options at his disposal, manager Gordon Chambers chose to start with Anto Crawford and August player of the month Ricky Moore in attack. In defence, Niall Devine came into the side at right-back.

From the start both sides looked to play constructive attacking football, which was pleasing to the eye and the game was highly competitive.

The first chance fell to the visitors in the 10th minute when Kee whipped a free-kick in from the left and found the head of Higginbottom 8 yards out. Comrades were relieved to see his resulting effort fly just past the base of the post.

Two minutes later and Comrades had a great chance to take the lead. Superb play by Anto Crawford, proving a handful for the ‘Mallard defence, saw him turn past his marker on the right side of the 6 yard box and then square the ball to the arriving Darren Munster, who looked set to score until his effort was kept out by a great block from keeper Morrison.

Comrades were looking threatening in attack and on 14 minutes they created another chance when a great long ball from Darren Munster looked to have set Ricky Moore free of the defence, but his shot from 14 yards, under pressure from a desperate tackle by a defender, flew wide.

Although Comrades were having the bulk of the attacking possession, the visitors were looking dangerous from set pieces. On 23 minutes Comrades conceded another free-kick as ‘Mallard attacked down the left. Once again, Kee sent in a dangerous ball which this time found Stafford, who headed just wide from 7 yards.

On 25 minutes the visitors were at full stretch to keep the scores level, with on target shots from Darren Munster and Anto Crawford from inside the penalty area being keep out by blocks by defenders. Then, a minute later, great footwork by Niall Devine down the right wing saw him jink past his marker and then fire a well struck shot narrowly wide of the far post from 27 yards.

Comrades would have been good value for a lead at this stage and on 32 minutes they might have got the breakthrough when Simon McGowan picked up a clearance from a corner outside the ‘Mallard box and struck a 20 yard shot, which cannoned off bodies in the box and fell to Andy Long in a good position, 12 yards from goal. However, the Comrades defender lifted his effort a couple of feet over the bar.

A minute later Anto Crawford created more mayhem in the visitors’ box and the ball fell to David Officer whose shot from 11 yards was deflected wide by another good block from a defender.

The last significant action of the half saw ‘Mallard come close on 45 minutes, with an Andy Crawford effort from 25 yards flying just wide of the target.

The second half continued with Comrades having marginally more of the attacking possession but Ballinamallard also looking dangerous going forward. However, both sides’ defences were well drilled and chances became harder to find.

On 61 minutes Comrades almost benefited from a fumble on the edge of the box by visiting keeper Morrison. However, he was able to redeem himself, getting back to dive at David Officer’s feet and block any attempt on goal.

Comrades were giving it their all to try to grab what would have been a deserved lead, but the ball just would not break for them in and around the penalty area to provide that much sought golden opportunity. Gordon Chambers introduced his three allowed substitutes late on in the half, but the visitors’ defence still would not be breached.

In fact, it was ‘Mallard who came closest to breaking the deadlock on 80 minutes, when Beacom cut in from the left and struck a fierce shot from the edge of the box, which Allen Huxley had to turn wide of the near post.

The game ended with neither side able to find the back of the net. However, it had been far from a dull affair and Comrades fans were encouraged by a good committed display from their revamped side, which looks very capable of being competitive in this season’s league campaign.