East Antrim Youth League Larne Colts 0 : 2 Comber Rec
Sandy Bay
Saturday 8th march 2008
The Under 13s made the long trip to Larne to find that Sandy Bay was anything but sandy! Indeed the referee advised that if Comber hadn’t had to travel so far he would have considered calling off the game.
Within a minute of the kick off Comber should have been awarded a penalty when Wilson was taken out waist high in the box. How and why the referee didn’t give it is still a mystery and at this point the Comber management were clearly worried that the referee was going to be similar in nature to the one in the previous match! The game was nip and tuck and Larne had the first real chance which was denied when Hackett came quickly off his line to smother the ball at the feet of the on-rushing Larne attacker. On 12 minutes Comber went a goal up when Hanna beat his man on the right wing and cut the ball back for the in-coming Clifford to side foot into the net. The Larne line went crazy claiming offside which was entirely unjustified given that the ball had been cut back but the referee stood firm dispelling any early doubts about him. Indeed it should be said at this point that the ref went on to have a fine game. The remainder of the first half was fairly even with Comber doing most of the attacking but failing to trouble the Larne keeper despite the fact that they had the wind in their favour.
In the second half Comber expected to be put under more pressure as they faced the wind but again the match was fairly much a midfield battle with chances for either side few and far between. Comber got their second goal on the 10 minute mark when Hanna received the ball from a throw in. At this point there seemed little danger but he turned his marker expertly leaving himself in the clear and with the simple task of placing the ball under the Larne keeper. Two nil up but anything but comfortable Comber had to continue to battle for the remaining 20 minutes. Larne pressed for a goal but the outstanding Walker continued to make last gasp tackles to save the day when required. Larne looked most dangerous from the set piece and Comber did well to defend a number of awkward corners in the final 15 minutes. When the referee blew for full time the boys knew they had been in a real battle on a heavy pitch and were delighted to have got the rewards for their efforts and maintain 3rdposition in the league table.
