NAFL League Division 1
23rd April 2016
Comber Rec Killyleagh FC
This was certainly a match of two halves with the visitors Killyleagh looking just the more impressive in the first part, with Comber bouncing back in the second half.
There was a remarkable number of corners in the game testifying to the attacking energies of both teams. But it was Killyleagh who took first blood after seven minutes with a ball being put through to Jonathan Sharvin from a free kick. He collected the ball at the back of the box and turned under pressure from defenders unleashing a great volley past keeper Stephen Croft.
But Comber immediately fought back with a quick break and started to come into their stride. A heavy tackle by Killyleagh’s Gary Murray on Comber’s McAlea led to a free kick just outside the box but the resulting shot was way off target.
Killyleagh again piled on the pressure believing they could pull a win off from a Comber side that had not fully wakened up. Comber were not connecting well in their front line and the accuracy of the shooting was poor.
Killyleagh’s Stephen Lynch had a volley at the Comber goal but the keepers fingered the ball out for a corner over the bar as the match had gone 20 minutes into play. Again Killyleagh’s Phil Rogan made an excellent volley but that too failed to hit the net as Comber keeper Croft was on form.
Then half way through the first half, a moment of danger arrived for Comber when defender Neil Moore handled the ball a few yards outside the box. Phil Rogan took the free kick and it rocketed past the jaws of the Comber goal and Killyleagh’s Jonathan Sharvin and Jack Forbes raced in behind the back line to get a toe to the ball but the pace was just to much to reach it, but a good attacking effort.
At 30 minutes, it was Killyleagh who were doing the most of the challenging, and Comber’s confidence looked on the wane. Killyleagh’s left winger Stephen Lynch made an excellent solo run down the wing and attacked the goal with a pass to McConnell but keeper Croft managed to block his effort to slip the ball past him.
The Killyleagh back line of Murphy Russell, Murray and Kennedy was holding up well.
In one attack, Killyeagh’s Gary Murray volleyed and his shot was just inches on the wrong side of the post.
As the match careered towards half-time, it was Comber who put on a spurt and an excellent attacking effort from Marty Jones crossing to Gerard McAlea saw the shot just go wide of the back post. This was Comber’s best effort yet.
And just then, on the 46th minute, Daniel Smyth equalised for Comber to the delight of the home fans. Comber confidence had come back with a sudden rush.
As the second half started, it was all to play for, and Killyleagh keeper Coburn was tested with a hard volley from sub Eamonn Connor.
Comber were attacking more as the second half progressed often dominating the action, and on the sixteenth minute, the ball was playedd in from the left and Joe McKinney was in the right place to snatch a shot and hit the back of the Killyleagh net to put Comber in the lead.
The home side reared up now and Killyleagh knew they were in for a hard game. Smyth made a great cross to Dougherty but the shot was well held by keeper Coburn. By this stage the Killyleagh attacks had slowed right down as they were in defensive mode.
On 32 minutes, Comber’s Joe McKinney weaved the ball along the back line and almost pulled off a goal but for the quick reflexes of keeper Coburn.
The match suffered from a number of stoppages through injured as it became more physical. Then Comber sub Shane Murray raced dow the right wing chased by Killyleagh’s McConnell. As Murray entered the box, he unleashed a shot that Coburn could not hold down and it hit the back of the net for Comber’s third goal in the 37th minute.
Killyleagh quickly replied with an attack and midfielder Peter Strain had two goes at the Comber net. The visitors pressed forward but seemed lacking in firepower in their forward line to finish off the many opportunities they created.
Then it was Comber’s time to attack with both Jones and McKinney taking shots at the goal but were off target. Then in a corner, Smyth went up for a header and knocked it just over the top bar.
The game ended with Killyleagh’s Jonathan Sharvin blasting the ball at the Comber goal only to hit the woodwork.
It was a fast and physical game, with the younger side of Killyleagh losing out to a more experienced Comber who are positioned near the top of the table, whist Killyleagh are nearer the bottom. If Killyleagh could have capitalised on their real opportunities, the scoreline may have been different.
Comber Rec: Stephen Croft, Andrew Scoll, Neil Moore, Richard McClean, Darren McNamee, Gerard McAlea, Matt Crook, Jordan Dougherty, Marty Jones, Joe McKinney, Daniel Smyth. Subs: Eamonn Connor, Shane Murray and Steven Coory.
Killyleagh FC: Alastair Coburn, Johnny Murphy, Peter Russell, Gary Murray, Jordan kennedy, Jonathan Sharvin, Peter Strain, darren McConnell, Philip Rogan, Stephen Lynch, Jack Forbes. Subs: Robert Hagen, Mark Murray and Brian Strain.
