Under 13s Match Report

Ballyclare Colts vs Comber Rec

Comber traveled to the Valley on Saturday for their knock out cup match against Ballyclare.  Going into this match the players were reminded that they hadn’t won since October and this simply wasn’t good enough.  The lads seemed to take this on board as they started the game at a high tempo.  Passing was fluent and Comber looked a threat in attack from early on.  Karl Johnson was given the task of man marking Ballyclares tall striker, who was quite a handful when he could get the ball down and run at the defence.   Comber were creating chance after chance to go 1 up throughout the 1st period, but just couldn’t find the net.  Connor Black came close early on after the ball fell to him outside the box and he struck first time.  He and the rest of the team were just about to turn away and celebrate when the Ballyclare keeper leaped full stretch and tipped it over the bar.  A great save and a fine effort from Connor.  Adam Childs also came close but 1 touch too many in the box led to him being closed down.  The Ballyclare keeper also made a superb double save mid-way through the half from close range.  Comber were almost punished for their lack of finishing when Ballyclares big striker  managed to break away form his marker and got through on goal, but Sam Manley in goals denied Ballyclare the lead with a good stop from close range.   This was a let off for Comber who could have been well in the lead by this stage.  Harvery was torturing the defence down the right flank and was delivering good crosses but still Comber couldn’t find their 1st goal.   The half time whistle went with the score still level at 0 – 0.  A great half from Comber who were managing to play some fine football on the bumpy pitch.

HALF TIME 0 -0

The second half began similar to the 1st with Comber looking the stronger team.  Again chances arrived but Comber couldn’t find the net.  Just when it looked like it was going to be one of those days for Comber they went into the lead.  Sam Manley produced a great save again form a 1 on 1 with the Ballyclare striker.  Manley palmed the ball out, the Comber defence got it away from danger and a through ball from midfield fell to the feet of Combers Ben Davidson who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.  This turned out to be the winning goal as Comber stayed strong and were closing down the opposition before they had a chance to find a pass.  The back four were superb and Karl Johnson wasn’t giving the big striker a chance on the ball now.  The full backs Jacob Hamilton and Bradley Porter also played very well at the back, winning the ball and moving it on to the wingers Harvey and Lex.  The final whistle went and Combers hard work had finally paid off, a long awaited win which sees them progress to the next round, well done to all the boys.

Combers Man of The Match this week was very close as everybody played very well but is jointly awarded to Johnny Burgess and Karl Johnson.  Johnny had a great game in the centre of midfield and Karl man marked very well in defence.

M.O.M Johnny B & Karl Johnson