Stubborn Defence Not Enough
Saturday 21st April 2001
Smirnoff Irish League First Division
Bangor 2-0 Ballyclare Comrades
Ballyclare Comrades team & performance ratings
Andy McDonald 5
Kieran Kane 7, Paul Caldwell 7, Robbie Budden 7, Jamesie Kirk 7
Paul McAtee 5, Ciaran Duffin 5, Keith Millar 6, Ricki Culbertson 5
Innes Gray 6, Eddie Hill 7
Subs: Gary Bell 6 (76 mins, for Kane), Gary Burns 5 (89 mins, for McAtee), Terry Tennyson 5 (89 mins, for Kirk).
Comrades came to Bangor to try to frustrate their opponents, but left a well beaten side. The goals that beat them may have been due to uncharacteristic mistakes from keeper Andy McDonald, but it can't be denied that Bangor were the better side, even though they did not play particularly well.
The game opened as it was to continue, with Bangor pressing forward and Comrades either happy to defend, or unable to create any attacking moves of their own. Comrades defence, however, was well organised and determined and managed to snuff out many of the Bangor attacks before they could materialise into a shot on goal.
On 16 minutes, the first real threat on goal came, when Paul Millar got onto the end of a Crothers cross and saw his effort well saved by McDonald. Bangor continued to press, but the Comrades defence generally dealt rather easily with the experienced Bangor strikers. Despite forcing a series of corners, the home side were not convincing in providing a real threat to the Comrades rearguard.
Whilst they were coping well defensively, Comrades were unable to create anything much in the way of attacking play. The only real chance came on 25 minutes, when a defensive mistake left Culbertson free on the left. He cut inside the box, but then shot wastefully wide, when he should have tested the keeper. Other than this Comrades failed to create anything in the first half, with Hill and Gray toiling away up front, with absolutely no service.
The second half opened with a five minute spell, which was to be Comrades best of the game. The whole attitude of the side seemed to have changed and for this short period, they pressed Bangor back and created two good chances. On 46 minutes, Kane got a dangerous low cross in from the right, which managed to elude both defenders and Comrades players as it flew across the 6 yard box. Then three minutes later, Eddie Hill, working tirelessly as usual, created space to get in a right wing cross, which was headed just wide by the stooping Innes Gray.
At the other end, Andy McDonald suddenly appeared to be having a fit of the jitters and his handling looked suspect. This was to lead to a Bangor goal on 53 minutes. McDonald came for a cross from the right and could only palm the ball down into a crowd of player. In the ensuing scramble Percy, McRae and Knell all saw efforts blocked, before Paul Millar stabbed the ball home.
From this point on Bangor reasserted their dominance, but unlike the first half, they now looked really threatening in their attacking play, as McDonald's jitters appeared to transfer itself to the Comrades defence. On 58 minutes, ex-Comrades hero McRae had the ball in the net, but his header from a Candlish cross was ruled off for offside. Then, on 64 minutes, Knell headed against the bar from a Douglas corner.
Comrades best effort of the game came in a rare attack on 67 minutes. Eddie Hill did very well to make space in a crowded box, only to see his well struck shot saved from close range by Currie.
Bangor sealed the game on 83 minutes, when Andy McDonald let a Dykes cross slip from his grasp and gave McRae the easy task of shooting home, into an empty net, from 15 yards. From this point on Comrades were really on the wrack and Bangor ought to have increased their lead on at least three occasions in the final minutes. Comrades finished a well beaten side.
This was a poor display by Comrades against a Bangor side not firing on all cylinders. The defence played resolutely and Eddie Hill gave his all up front, but Comrades were generally overrun in midfield areas, were they seemed to lack quality as compared to their Bangor counterparts.
Missed Chances Cost Comrades Victory
Tuesday 17th April 2001
Smirnoff Irish League First Division
Ballyclare Comrades 1-1 Larne
Ballyclare Comrades team & performance ratings
Jason McAuley 8
Kieran Kane 6, Paul Caldwell 6, Robbie Budden 7, Jamesie Kirk 7
Terry Tennyson 5, Ciaran Duffin 6, Keith Millar 7, Ricki Culbertson 7
Innes Gray 6, Eddie Hill 6
Subs: Tom McCourt 6 (57 mins, for Tennyson), Gary Burns (not used), Gary Bell (not used).
Comrades came into this game against managerless Larne hoping for a long overdue victory over their local rivals. They were to be let down, however, by some poor finishing, in a game they ought to have won.
Comrades started brightly, but after the first five minutes, it was Larne who seemed to pose the most threat and gained a degree of territorial advantage. The Comrades goal had some narrow escapes, with Larne just unable to put the finishing touch to several dangerous moves.
At the other end, the Comrades attack was being well marshalled by the experienced Larne defenders. However, on 34 minutes, Comrades came very close to taking the lead, against the run of play. A corner was gained on the left, and Keith Millar sent the ball into the box, where it fell to Eddie Hill. In the packed goal mouth he shot from close range, through a sea of bodies, only to see his effort cleared off the line by McIlveen.
Almost immediately after this incident, Larne broke clear to take the lead. McIlveen got free on the left and sent a cross in towards the edge of the box towards Love. Love seemed to be well marked, but managed to strike the ball sweetly on the volley past Jason McAuley, who stood no chance of stopping it.
Larne went into half time with a lead they deserved, but the second half was to be a different story. Only three minutes after the restart Comrades were level. Larne keeper Cushley dropped a Jamesie Kirk cross, under pressure from Eddie Hill and the ball fell to Ricki Culbertson, who was able to plant it into an empty net.
For a period after the goal, Larne reasserted their authority and gained territorial advantage. During this time Jason McAuley, standing in for the suspended Andy McDonald made some excellent saves. The most notable of these came on 62 minutes. Love beat Comrades offside trap, to meet a deep Kerr cross. McAuley however, pulled off a magnificent save to deny the Larne striker his second goal of the evening.
Comrades by this stage were looking increasingly dangerous on the break and, on 64 minutes, Innes Gray broke clear of attentions of McKinstry to blast off the edge of the post, into the side netting. Then three minutes later Tom McCourt met a Hill cross with his head, only to see the ball cleared off the line by a Larne defender.
In the last quarter of the game, Comrades swift attacks were causing a real threat to the Larne defence. On 68 minutes the ball was played into the box by Kieran Kane and found Keith Millar. Millar hesitated when he probably should have shot and a great chance was lost, even though a resulting shot from Duffin was well saved by Cushley. On 76 minutes, Keith Millar tried to play the ball through to Hill, but the ball came off a defender straight into the path of Tom McCourt. The ex-Larne man was straight through on goal and appeared to have rounded the keeper, but somewhat off balance he screwed his shot horribly wide of an empty net.
Comrades supporters were now bemoaning these wasted chances. Another great opportunity was to be thrown away on 82 minutes. With Larne caught square at the back and pushing upfield, Ricki Culbertson was played through and cut in from the left to be one on one with the keeper. He tried to place the ball wide of Cushley, into the far corner of the net, but only managed to fire it wide of the goal.
Comrades really ought to have had the game sown up during the last 20 minutes or so, but they owed a debt to keeper Jason McAuley, during this spell, when he made another good save from a Love header, on 80 minutes.
These were two points lost for Comrades. With the chances which fell their way in the second half, they ought to have converted more of them and won the game. Nevertheless, it was good to see them able to leave the Larne defence looking ragged at times.
Scoreline Does Comrades No Justice
Saturday 14th April 2001
Smirnoff Irish League First Division
Ards 3-1 Ballyclare Comrades
Ballyclare Comrades team & performance ratings
Andy McDonald 7
Kieran Kane 7, Paul Caldwell 7, Robbie Budden 6, Jamesie Kirk 6
Paul McAtee 8, Ciaran Duffin 6, Keith Millar 6, Ricki Culbertson 6
Innes Gray 7, Eddie Hill 8
Subs: Gary Bell 6 (85 mins, for Hill), Gary Burns (not used), Terry Tennyson (not used).
Comrades fans were fully expecting a drubbing from high flying Ards, a team with a wage bill of £3,000 per week. The Comrades players however, paid a pittance in comparison, gave a spirited display and, but for some dubious refereeing decisions, could have caused shock at, soon to be demolished, Castlereagh Park.
The home side started off with the confidence of a team on a winning streak. As early as the 3rd minute, Andy McDonald had to be alert to save brilliantly from Gorman, after the striker had eluded the Comrades defence.
Gradually Comrades seemed to come to terms with the game and although still under pressure for most of the time, they did begin to venture attacks of their own. On 18 minutes, good work by Gray and Hill, lead to Hill getting free on the left side of the box. He hit an early low shot, which was well saved by Inglis, with Gray running in to snap up any rebound.
Comrades generally were dealing well with the Ards attacks, especially keeping ex-Comrades hero Davy Rainey very quiet. On 23 minutes however, slack marking was to let them down and give Ards the opener. A free-kick was conceded wide on the right and from the set-piece the ball was whipped in to the box. Gorman managed to elude his marker and planted a free header past McDonald.
The goal lead to a further period of Ards pressure, but a combination of poor finishing a good keeping from McDonald kept Comrades in the game. Indeed they might have grabbed an equaliser on 36 minutes, when from a deep free-kick from the right, Ricki Culbertson was found at the far post, but he just directed his header wide of the post.
Comrades held out to half-time and the came out for the second half with all guns blazing. For 20 minutes, they dominated the game and were unfortunate not to grab an equaliser during this spell.
As early as the 1st minute of the second half Comrades were denied a penalty, when Duffin went on a good run into the Ards box and appeared to be tripped. To the disgust of Comrade fans and players, the referee waved play on. This incident fired up the visitors and they pushed forward relentlessly. Paul McAtee in particular was giving Ards a very difficult time with his runs down the right, whilst Hill and Gray up front looked lively.
On 51 minutes, McAtee weaved his way clear on the right wing and sent a perfect cross over for Innes Gray. Unfortunately, the big striker could not direct his header on target and the ball flew wide. Then, on 56 minutes, McAtee himself cut inside and hit a shot which was well saved by Inglis.
The course of the game was changed on 65 minutes, when a controversial incident lead to two sending offs. Comrades failed to clear effectively from an Ards corner and the ball was played through towards McLean who was one on one with Andy McDonald. McDonald dived and got to the ball just in front of the Ards player, who reacted badly to the keeper's challenge and appeared to hit him whilst on the ground. McDonald then retaliated and the referee sent off both players. This was obviously a much bigger blow for Comrades as they now had to put an outfield player (Ricki Culbertson) into goals. Comrades supporters and the bench were outraged by the decision, particularly as a few minutes later an incident involving a foul by Jamesie Kirk and raised hands in retaliation by an Ards player, lead only to the booking of Kirk, with the Ards player getting off free.
The sending off of McDonald effectively killed off Comrades hopes of a revival. Eight minutes later the effect of the loss was shown, as Culbertson failed to hold a cross, dropping the ball at the feet of Curran, who scored with ease.
On 78 minutes it was Gorman again, scored for Ards. The ball was played into the box from the right and the striker shrugged off the attentions of Budden and shot crisply past Culbertson.
To their credit, Comrades, fired up by a sense of injustice, continued to try to get something from the game, even if only a consolation goal. They got their reward on 84 minutes, when good work from hunting in a pack, Hill, McAtee and Gray caused confusion in the Ards defence, and McAtee found the ball break kindly for him to slot home from the edge of the box.
Comrades could even have reduced the arrears further, when another good cross from the right, this time by Gray, was just too high for substitute Gary Bell, well placed in the box.
Comrades players, fans and officials at the end were seething at various injustices inflicted by refereeing during the match. However, they can take comfort from a whole hearted display, especially in the second half. Who know what might have happened had McDonald not been sent off ? The scoreline of 3-1 certainly flattered the home side, who now look well placed for promotion.
Treanor Punishes Comrades After Promising Start
Saturday 31st March 2001
Smirnoff Irish League First Division
Ballyclare Comrades 1-4 Armagh City
Ballyclare Comrades team & performance ratings
Andy McDonald 6
Paul McAtee 6, Robbie Budden 5, Paul Byrne 6, Jamesie Kirk 6
Ciaran Duffin 6, Terry Tennyson 5, Keith Millar 6, Ricki Culbertson 5
Tom McCourt 6, Eddie Hill 7
Subs: Gavin Burnside 6 (66 mins, for Duffin), Gary Burns (not used), Innes Gray (not used).
Comrades fans were left wishing for the end of the season, after a comprehensive defeat against promotion chasing Armagh.
The home side did start the game promisingly and had the better of the first half. On only 2 minutes Eddie Hill was played through, after good work by McCourt and Duffin, and struck a shot just wide of the upright, from the edge of the box. Then one minute later, Armagh conceded a free-kick at the edge of the area. Paul McAtee took the set-piece and his goalbound effort was well saved by Hutchinson, low to his left.
Comrades continued to look sharp and dangerous, with Eddie Hill tormenting the Armagh defence and Tom McCourt winning his fair share in the air. The lead was deservedly gained on 25 minutes, but in controversial circumstances. The linesman raised his flag for offside against Tom McCourt but, with the big striker heading away from goal, referee Snoddy waved play on and Eddie Hill, after his earlier sighter, made no mistake, finishing smartly into the bottom corner of the net, as Armagh's defence stood rooted to the spot, claiming offside.
Comrades could have increased their lead on 35 minutes, when livewire Hill jinked his way clear of two defenders, but saw his shot well saved by Hutchinson.
Although Comrades were on top, there were a few scares at the other end. In a flurry of activity around the 38th minute, Armagh pinned Comrades back, and it took a good goal line clearance from Budden to save the day.
It looked as if Comrades would take a merited lead into the interval, but a special goal from Armagh, just seconds before the whistle, robbed them of the advantage. Treanor fastened on to a weak headed clearance by Byrne and struck a sweet shot from 30 yards into the top corner of the net, giving McDonald no chance.
Armagh came out for the second half buoyed by their equaliser and looked the far more committed and confident side. On 52 minutes they took the lead, when Treanor latched on to a massive clearance by the Hutchinson, before cutting inside Budden to score with a stinging low shot.
Comrades looked far less threatening than they had in the first half and rarely troubled Hutchinson. The only real moment of danger came on 67 minutes, when Hill did well to get to the byline and drilled a low cross across the face of the goal, but no Comrades player could get the vital touch.
The visitors sealed the game on 72 minutes Again Comrades defence was unable to deal with a long ball from the back, with the wind behind it. Danger man McKinstry got the ball and advanced into the box, where Robbie Budden appeared to bundle him over. The Irish League's leading scorer picked himself up to convert the penalty, as everyone expected him to.
Comrades were now a well beaten side, but further humiliation was to follow on 79 minutes. as the impressive Treanor completed his hat-trick. He got clear of a sluggish defence to finish from just inside the box and cap a great performance.
Comrades never really threatened to reduce the deficit, as Armagh had got to grips with the dangers posed by Eddie Hill and Tom McCourt.
This was a desperately disappointing capitulation in the second half by Comrades, who could have gone in at the interval two goals up and deservedly so. In the end it was Armagh who well deserved their win. Comrades have patently failed to reproduce the form they showed in the Cup against Cliftonville and Glenavon, when playing teams in their own Division.
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