Comber Rec win a place in the Border Cup final after beating Derriaghy in a match they dominated
The NAFL,
Border Cup Semi-Final 2024,
Venue: Blanchflower Stadium, Belfast, 12 11 24,
Final Score: Derriaghy CC 0 1 Comber Rec
Comber Rec and their many fans are delighted that they have got through to the Border Cup final once again at Seaview in Belfast having mis-fired last year just after winning the Steel & Sons Cup.
Commenting on their victory over Derriaghy CC, Comber manager Gareth McKeown said: “The players all played well as a team. It was a great game. Comber have been playing well for the past few games and they deserved this win tonight.”
From the first whistle, Comber went into attack mode bringing the game to Derriaghy CC and within the first few minutes the Derriaghy goal was under siege.
A terrific effort came from Comber in 5 minutes when Elliot Wilson glanced a header on target but keeper Jonah made a great reflex save pushing the ball out only to see Stuart Hanna blast the ball at the goal but again Nicholl made a brilliant save denying Comber an early goal.
Comber were quite relentless and just a short time afterwards Hanna made a neat cross to Dylan Donaldson who almost got the touch for a goal.
The Derriaghy bench after 15 minutes of Comber pressure were shouting to their players to settle down.
Elliot Wilson was making some great runs up the left wing but Derriaghy were holding on and defending well.
But Derriaghy did have a few breaks from their own half and on one occasion Gareth Henderson unleashed a powerful volloew on target but Corey Pollock gathered the ball up safely.
Derriaghy won a corner on 25 minutes but Comber cleared the challenge without much fuss.
SEE ACTION PHOTOS ON THE DOWN NEWS FACEBOOK PAGE
Basically much of the time in the first half Derriaghy were on the ropes. Comber keeper Corey Pollock was communicating well with his defence, and the Comber midfield and forward were up for the game.
As the second half progressed, Derriaghy tried to rally and Steven Shearer did manage to get off a strong volley but it was held well by Pollock. As the minutes passed Derriaghy tried to force themselves into the game, and play did become more physical.
On 60 minutes Dylan Wilson replaced Brett Conville.
But Comber stayed focussed and came back on Derriaghy, starting with a good run through the middle by Dylan Donaldson. And Dylan Wilson too started pressing forward mor, Comber having weathered the efforts of Derriaghy.
And once again Comber captain tested Derriaghy keeper Nicholl with a hard volley which he was well saved.
Donaldson made a subtle short creative chip into the Derriaghy goal mouth opening opportunity for a shot at goal but it was just cleared in time by the Derriaghy defence.
The game then entered a period where play drifted to and fro. Then Comber on 70 minutes stepped up the heat again on Derriaghy. Paul Lowry came on to replace Elliot Wilson.
SEE ACTION PHOTOS ON THE DOWN NEWS FACEBOOK PAGE
Lex Walker won a corner for Comber and in the following action there was a clutter of players bunched in the front of the Derriaghy goal but Dylan Wilson’s magic boot found the ball and sunk it at short distance into the back of the Derriaghy net on 75 minutes to the jubilations of his team-mates and the large crowd of Comber supporters. The relief was palpable.
There was never going to be much by the way of goals in this match as both teams were basically playing well, but never-the-less Comber had the clear edge. On 84 minutes, Kris Gaw came on as sub and Stephen Fleck retired to the bench.
Derriaghy made a last gasp effort to equalise and forced two corners but both were cleared safely. Then Comber attacked again and Dylan Wilson received a cross from Donaldson and he volleyed at the goal on target but once again Jonah Nicholl blocked the shot.
As the match hurtled to its almost inevitable conclusion, Comber Rec celebrated their win over rivals Derriaghy CC and were over the moon to once again have the opportunity to lift the coveted Border Cup against the winner of the other semi-final being played this evening at 8pm at Seaview, between Immaculata and Crumlin Star.
Comber manager Gareth McKeown will now be aiming to get his squad in tip-top shape for this Border Cup final.
SEE ACTION PHOTOS ON THE DOWN NEWS FACEBOOK PAGE
Derriaghy CC: 1 Jonah Nicholl (GK) 2 Gareth Henderson 3 Marc Fell 4 Barry Moore 6 Jordan Malone 7 Curtis Black 8 Lewis Higginson 9 Steven Shearer 10 Nick Beta 11 Timothy Clarke 15 Joseph Reid. Subs: 12 Colin Crawford 14 Ethan Taggart 16 Michael O’Hanlon.
Comber Rec: 1 Corey Pollock (GK) 2 Stephen Fleck 3 Lex Walker 4 Christian Irvine 5 Reece Whittle 6 Brandon Nelson 7 Dylan Donaldson 8 Simon Hanna (C) 9 Brett Conville 10 Matthew Tumilson 11 Elliot Wilson. Subs: 12 Kristopher Gaw, 14 Dylan Wilson 15 Paul Lowry.
