Comber Rec Faces Crumlin Star in a Battle of the Titans at Seaview in Belfast on Tuesday 20 5 25
Tonight at Seaview in Belfast, (Tuesday 20 5 2025), NAFL Premier League rivals Comber Rec And Crumlin Star once again face off this time in an end-of-season Clarence Mayes cup match that should be an absolute thriller writes Jim Masson.
Both teams have met on a number of occasions in league and cup matches, the most prominent being when Comber Rec won by a single goal against the Star on 27th December 2024 at Seaview to claim the coveted Border Cup.
Comber have kept up their strong form since this win against their nemesis Crumlin Star. Their campaign through the qualifying matches in the Clarence cup have been impressive.
The beat Hollywood Utd 2-1, Newtwonbreda 4-0, Drumaness Mills 2-1, Willowbank 5-0, Bloomfield 0-5, Aquinas 0-2, Newtownards Rgs 1-0.
And in the Premier League this past few weeks Comber have performed strongly with two wins over Dromara (4-1 and 5-1), and a win over Newtownards (1-0). But Comber were beaten by Abbey Villa on an off day on 22nd April 1-2 in a close fought match.
So Comber Rec are on form and are no strangers to Seaview. They flopped in their Border Cup bid there in 2023/24 but they could be excused as they had a week previously won the Steel and Sons Cup.
Comber are a solid side with an excellent goalkeeper in Corey Pollock and they have sound defenders who can score goals. With a well organised midfield, their front line is always foraging for goals. Comber will be giving this match 101% and will no doubt be cheered on by their barmy army of dedicated fans.
They have a good record over the the years having won the Steel and Sons cup in 1991/92 and recently in 23/4. But Comber did win the Clarence Cup back in 2013 and have won the Border Cup 3 times altogether.
But despite these past accolades, what matters is what happens on the pitch in that frantic 90 minutes when both teams go head-to-head and it will be gloves off for both teams from the first whistle tonight.
But whatever happens in this match tonight, the drama is not quite over.
The Premier League is on a knife-edge with Crumlin Star leading at the moment on 53 points having played 24 games. Also on 53 points is Derriaghy CC with 53 points for 26 games.
But stalking the top two teams is Comber Rec just a point behind on 52 points with just 23 games played, so the bragging rights for the Premier League will go to the wire.
AND, the League title may all hang on the clash at Park Way on the 24 May, just 4 days away, against Crumlin Star. This will be a highly-charged and very competitive match and could decide the league.
But poor Mossley will be in for a very tough end of season three matches caught up in the battle for the league title between Crumlin Star and Comber Rec. The Star has to play them once, and Comber twice as the matches unfold for the season.
Drumaness Mills are sitting comfortably in sixth place, well away from any threat of relegation. They too have had a good season. Their 3-4 win over Crumlin Star, who probably hadn’t fielded their full team as it was close to the Clarence Cup final, may well prove to have been a critical stumble for Crumlin Star in their League title bid.
But Crumlin Star are a very gritty side and will be totally focussed on the cup match ahead tonight against Comber Rec FC
Good luck to both teams !
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