Comber Rec hold on to a narrow win after a tough battle against Drumaness Mills who gave their all
The NAFL,
Premier League Division,
Venue: Park Way, Comber: 26th October 2024,
Final Score: Comber Rec 3 2 Drumaness Mills
This league clash started off quite sedately for a Premier Division One match but both teams had their hearts set on taking the points and it was just a matter of time before the temperature rose to boiling point as they both struggled to get a clear advantage.
But it was the home side Comber who settled into the task well and both sides were probing and testing defences.
Elliot Wilson had a half chance with a header but Drumaness keeper Conor McGourty was out sharply to get the situation under control. Then Matthew Tumilson crossed to Brett Conville who headed just wide.
Comber seemed to step up the initiative with a number of attacks the Drumaness leapt forward with a move from Thomas McNeill to Adam Kearney to Jack Sharvin who was playing deep feeding balls up front. Sharvin was waiting at the goal but Corey Pollock was quick off his mark.
Comber seemed to be playing sharper exerting more pressure as the game developed. On 22 minutes Brett Conville was getting his eye in and volleyed from 30 yards low on target to the inside right hand post but McGourty just managed to block it.
A minute later it was Drumaness pressing forward and Sharvin unleashed an ambitious shot from 40 yards well hit but it went a fraction wide past the post.
Drumaness them made another attempt at the Comber goal when Adam Kearney broke loose and made a strong solo run but referee Adrian Reynolds blew for offside.
Then Comber defender Lex Walker worked the ball up the left wing and found himself in front of the goal at close quarters where he managed to knock it in to open the scoring for Comber on 25 minutes.
Drumaness then stepped up their pressure and in the 32nd minute Jack Sharvin converted a penalty to equalise after Adam Kearney was floored in the box.
Then Comber came back out with both guns blazing. Walker was playing a good game on the left side of the pitch causing issues for Drumaness.
Play certainly started to get a bit more physical at this stage as both teams battled for another goal before half-time.
Towards the end of the first half, Stefan Mason started coming more into the game for Drumaness and made a great cross to Andrew Watson who first timed it but Pollock managed to get it under control.
Then Mason crossed to Kearney whose shot was just held by keeper Pollock.
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As the second half started, both teams seemed much energised and this proved to be a more intense half.
Sharvin crossed early to Mason who passed back to Sharvin who lashed the ball at the Comber goal but was inches wide of the post just 2 minutes in.
As the tackles started getting heavier, the game stopped and started more erratically.
Drumaness missed an opportunity as the visitors pressed forward as Sharvin made a great cross and Mason who chanced a flying header and was just over the bar.
Then as Comber made a big push forward, Dylan Wilson got a half chance and slotted in to put Comber in the lead on 53 minutes.
Then 4 minutes later Brett Conville put Comber ahead again from a Lex Walker Cross.
Comber were focussed on winning this match but Drumaness were not rolling over, and they stepped up to the plate with several solid attacks. In one effort, sub Damien Turley almost headed in from a powerful header from near the back of the box.
Then in the 80th minute when matters were getting heated, keeper Corey Pollock made a hard challenge on Sharvin and a penalty was awarded.
Sharvin stepped up to the spot and scored well putting Drumaness just a goal away within reach of salvaging a point with a draw.
But then the match got very messy and undisciplined and referee Reynolds by the end of the match had dished out 10 yellow cards, five for each team. There were a couple of scuffles as players argued in the heat of the moment, and managers substituted players accordingly.
In the last 10 minutes Drumaness were certainly going for it, but by the skin of their teeth Comber held on to claim the bragging rights and the 3 points with a 3-2 victory.
It was a gruelling match for both sides.
Comber Rec: Corey Pollock (GK) 2 Matthew Gibson 3 Lex Walker 4 Stuart Moore 5 Reece Whittle 6 Kristopher Gaw 7 Dylan Wilson 8 Stephen Fleck 9 Brett Conville 10 Matthew Tumilson (C) 11 Elliot Wilson. Subs: 12 Brandon Nelson, 14 Christian Irvine 15 Dylan Donaldson.
Drumaness Mills: Conor McGourty (GK) 2 Owen Wright 3 Thomas McNeill 4 Sean Paul Holland 5 Gary Murdock (C) 6 Andrew Watson 7 Eoin Murray 8 Keegan Domican 9 Stefan Mason 10 Jack Sharvin 11 Adam Kearney. Subs: 12 Lewis Casement 14 Damien Turley 15 Declan Looney.
