Comber Rec struggle in poor weather conditions against Cumlin Star
The NAFL Premier League,
Venue; Park Way, Saturday 23rd March 2024,
Final Score: Comber Rec 1 3 Crumlin Star.
It was not a good day at the office for Comber Rec as they were looking for a win against their old adversaries Crumlin Star to keep their Premier League hopes alive and were defeated on their home turf. But all is not yet lost writes Jim Masson.
Next Saturday Comber Rec play away from home against East Belfast currently topping the NAFL Premier League and this promises to be a key match in how the top of the league will shape up.
Comber had midfielders Matthew Tumilson and Reece Whittle out of action through injury so that left a gap to be filled in a key part of the team.
The match started off with a cross to the home side’s goal area showing that Crumlin Star meant business from the whistle. And true to form they kept Comber under pressure for significant sections of the match.
There was an early chance from Comber’s Stephen Kennedy who made a fine cross to skipper Simon Hanna who had a bad connection in the box as he tried to first time it.
Comber played with the wind driving down the pitch in the first half making ball control quite difficult but Crumlin Star were bringing the game to Comber.
On one attack by the visitors, defender Matthew Gibson made a fine intervention preventing a possible goal opportunity for Crumlin.
In the early stages Comber looked confident enough and managed to contain the opposition.
Dylan Wilson missed a chance when a cross from the left found his head in the goal area and his header on target came off a defender for a corner.
Wilson was getting geared up and made another attempt with a good run to the edge of the Crumlin box but he was taken down by defenders but earned a corner.
The ball went to Elliot Wilson who ran at the keeper but keeper Ciaran McNeill got there first and gathered the ball under his control.
( CHECK 20 Images on Facebook from the Match by Jim Masson – Down News )
On 28 minutes Dylan Wilson sent a solid pass into the box from the left but it ran through and a goal-scoring chance was missed.
Then Dylan Wilson received a cross and his volley came off a defender for a corner. The game see-sawed and then it was Crumlin’s chance to strike as Kevin Lynch broke through the Comber defence but eventually lost possession.
A short time later Crumlin’s Niall Hawkins took a volley and it hit the Comber crossbar. Both teams were pressing and the game was relatively balanced in the first half.
Comber were trying hard but Lady Luck was just not with them on the day. In one quick attack, captain Simon Hanna was taken down by Crumlin’s Stephen Smyth as he pressed into the visitors’ half.
Comber made a strong charge at the Crumlin goal just before half-time when the teams were drawn 0-0 despite their efforts to score.
As the second half got under way, an invigorated Comber side made several powerful fast runs at the Crumlin goal then in the 50th minute, Kennedy made a lovely pass through from the left to Elliot Wilson who delivered a clinical finish striking the ball into the middle of the Crumlin net.
And then when the game resumed, Wilson almost scored again after a quick break. But that seemed to herald the end of the chances for Comber.
Ten minutes later striker Stephen Smyth equalised and this saw Crumlin pushing harder to get the edge to beat Comber in their own back yard.
Seven minutes later Stephen Kennedy was almost through for a goal after a long ball from keeper Pollock but Crumlin keeper Ciaran McNeill blocked the shot.
Then at the other end Lex Walker made a crucial clearance from his box as Stephen Smyth threatened the Comber net. And again a long ball to Smyth almost paid off as Crumlin Star ramped up the pressure on Comber Rec.
Comber did make a few forays forward such as when Kris Gaw hit on target from outside the box but keeper McNeill picked the shot off well.
The match hung in the balance and Comber were finding the going against Crumlin quite heavy.
Gradually Crumlin were managing to get the better of Comber and a header by David Fearon saw Comber keeper Pollock making a good diving save to keep the ball out of his net.
Comber had a number of corners against them indicating the pressure that was being exerted on them.
Then in the 65th minute Crumlin worked the ball along the Comber goal line and Kevin Lynch eventually hammered it into the top of the goal to go into the lead.
( CHECK 20 Images on Facebook from the Match by Jim Masson – Down News )
The final coffin nail for Comber came in the 80th minute when Joseph McNeill smashed the ball into the top of the Comber net at close range putting them in the driving seat with a 2 goal advantage.
Comber did try and reply never giving up the ghost and a ball from Kris Gaw to Lex Walker saw the header just go wide of the Crumlin post.
Then midfielder Matthew Gibson went up for a header at the Crumlin goal but he was smothered by defenders.
Then a Comber tried to claw back a late goal Dylan Wilson made a run up the left and was taken down and a free lick was awarded. As he tried to run at the goal, he too was blocked by a wall of Crumlin defenders.
Crumlin tried to break the spell of Comber attacks that emerged at the end of the match and one o fthe best chances came when sub Robert McVarnock lashed a shot at the visitors’ goal but the ball went wide.
This was not one of the prettiest games of flowing soccer as it was increasingly peppered with fouls and stoppages. Probably the squally weather and strong wind was a factor, as was the teams were finely quite balanced despite the scoreline.
Next Saturday Comber play away from home to East Belfast who are current Premier League leaders and when the dust has settled at the end of the season, looking back, this match may be the one which determined the outcome of the Premier League.
Comber will need to field a strong side if they are going to take home the points, and their memories of their great Steel and Sons Cup win might help motivate them to do just that and focus their minds.
Comber Rec: 1 Corey Pollock (G) 2 Stephen Fleck 3 Lex Walker 4 Stuart Moore 5 Matthew Gibson 6 Kristopher Gaw 7 Dylan Wilson 8 Simon Hanna (C) 9 Elliot Wilson 10 Jordan O’Kane 11 Stephen Kennedy. Subs: 12 Robert McVarnock 14 Stuart Hanna 15 Brandon Nelson.
Crumlin Star: 1 Ciaran McNeill (GK) 2 Matthew Devine 3 AidaNeill (C) 4 Samuel McBurney 5 Mark Lyons 6 Joseph McNeill 7 Noel Halfpenny 8 Kevin Trainor 9 Kevin Lynch 10 David Fearon 11 Stephen Smyth. Subs: 12 Nial Hawkins 14 Paul Scullion 16 Patrick McIlkenny.
( CHECK 20 Images on Facebook from the Match by Jim Masson – Down News )
