Comber Rec Challenges For Top Of NAFL Premier League
NAFL Premier League Match,
At Park Way, Comber,
Comber Rec 3 0 Derraighy CC.
This match despite being on a very cold day was a sizzler.
Comber got off to a very early start by attacking Derriaghy and Andrew Dumigan hammered in a well taken goal on 4 minutes from the back of the box giving keeper Jason Craughwell no chance, writes Jim Masson.
Comber piled on the pressure and before long the first of the 8 yellow cards was dished out – first was to Derriaghy midfielder Travis McFarlane in this hotly contested match.
Derriaghy fought back and Jordan Baker created a half chance from an attack on the left. But Comber were fired up and Brett McConville made a strong solo run at the Derriaghy goal.
He chipped the ball over the keeper and hit the top post.
The Comber Rec defence were working well together and Derriaghy found it difficult to penetrate. Both teams were pushing for advantage and the game became more physical as the minutes ticked by.
Up until 20 minutes, Comber keeper Corey Pollock was not tested. Then Derriaghy won a free kick at 40 yards but the effort was well held by Pollock as was a corner a short time later.
McFarlane was clipped as he attacked the Comber box and again referee Andrew Butler blew for a free kick in a dangerous position, but Pollock again held the ball well.
Comber then went into attack mode and Chris Gaw volleyed but was just wide. Then minutes later, Gaw had another chance and again was just inches off target.
The game sea-sawed to and fro and Derriaghy’s Curtis Brown made an excellent low volley which was blocked by an equally good save by Pollock.
Comber attacked again and Brett McConville unleashed a powerful shot forcing keeper Craughwell to make a fingertip save giving away a corner.
Jordan Nelson took the corner and Eliot Wilson rose up and produced an unstoppable glancing header to the back post to put Comber two goals up in the 28th minute.
Derriaghy fought back and won a corner, but it was cleared safely. Then Nelson picked up a yellow card for a heavy tackle. The free kick saw keeper Pollock rise up for the ball but he was injured in the ensuing collision.
On 38 minutes, Nelson made a terrific curling shot to the top right corner of the Derriaghy goal but was unlucky not to score.
Then as the first period was coming to a close in the 43rd minute, Comber captain Lex Walker found himself in front of the Derriaghy goal.
Walker managed to knock the ball over the line to stun a frustrated Derriaghy team making a come-back looking very unlikely for the visitors.
This was certainly a match of two halves. The first half was hotly contested by both sides and play flowed reasonably well. But the game became quite physical and 5 yellow cards were issued in the second period.
The game stopped and started as knocks and injuries piled up and both teams used up their subs, Derriaghy being the first to deploy a sub at 50 minutes.
Derriaghy had a much stronger second half keeping Comber on the back foot, and keeper Pollock received a second injury but stoically held on well.
On 50 minutes, Comber made a strong run at the Derriaghy goal and defender Curtis Brown made a crucial intervention to stop his side going 4-0 down.
In a Comber attack, McConville made an excellent overhead kick at the Derriaghy goal but keeper Craughwell read it well and held the shot.
And a short time later McConville was going one-to-one with Craughwell who managed to close him down with the ensuing shot just a fraction wide of the right hand post.
In the closing part of the match, play became scrappy as fouls and yellow cards abounded as Derriaghy tried to get on the scoresheet.
Comber had their last hurrah when Elliot Wilson made a charge at the Comber goal and was looking good for a late goal until defender Jason Malone made a crucial intervention.
This was a match that initially sizzled then fizzled. The players could be forgiven as it was a freezing cold day and and any knock was painful.
It was a convincing home victory for Comber against league leaders Derriaghy.
Comber are currently have 5 games in hand on 23 points and are placed second in the Premier League just two points behind leaders Derriaghy.
But lurking down the league table are 2021-22 league winner Rathfriland who have only played 8 matches so far and are on 19 points. So it is all to play for and the league championship is still quite open.
Comber REC: 1 Corey Pollock, 2 Stewart Moore, 3 Lex Walker, 4 Ross Whitehead, 5 Reece Whittle, 6 Chris Gaw, 7 Andrew Dummigan, 8 Jordan Nelson, 9 Brett McConville, 10 Matthew Tumlinson, 11 Elliot Wilson. Subs: 12 Josh McConville, 14 Matt Gilsen, 15 Simon Hanna.
Derriaghy CC: 1 Jason Craughwell, 2 Gareth Henderson, 3 Curtis Brown, 4 Jason Malone, 5 K Rice, 6 James Morgan, 7 Travis MacFarlane, 8 Andrew Foster, 9 Jordan Baker, 10 Nicholas Beta, 11 Ryan Jackson. Subs: 12 Martin McEvoy, 15 Carson Elliot, 16 Thomas Watson. .
