Comber claim bragging rights in derby battle

19 February 2014

COMBER maintained their Indian sign over Killyleagh in this Premier Section derby clash at Parkway on Saturday.

The victory means Comber have not tasted defeat home or away to their Showgrounds rivals for the third successive season.

Defeat came at a heavy cost for Stephen Johnston’s YC who lost goalkeeper Alastair Coburn, forced off for hospital treatment for a broken jaw in two places and then had central defender Hugh Dickson sent off.

Comber, who have been stabilised under the management of Phil McDonagh which included a scoreless draw at The Showgrounds earlier in the season, got off to a bright start with striker Andy McIntyre putting them ahead after just eight minutes, Coburn powerless to stop it going in.

Killyleagh rallied with teenage winger Stevie Kennedy causing problems on a pitch which played well, despite the heavy rainfall of the previous seven days.

Some neat play from the YC in the opening 45 minutes produced half chances for Adam Neale and Ryan Montgomery but all in all they were well patrolled by the Rec back line.

Any time they looked like slicing through, Peter Kelly comfortably dealt with what was thrown at him.

Then came the incident in which Coburn picked up his horrific injury. Killyleagh were forced to reshuffle with central midfielder Ian Mannus taking over between the sticks.

Half-time arrived with just the solitary goal to show for all the endeavours of both teams.

Johnston demanded more from his young side in the second half and again they produced some neat build-up play.

In their best of their moves Darren McConnell threaded through for Kennedy but Killyleagh were out of luck around goal.

Dickson was given his marching orders by referee Trevor Moutray for a full-blooded challenge which even the Rec bench acknowledged was an unlucky sending off.

It was all uphill for Killyleagh now and although Johnston’s youngsters played well, the Rec started to enjoy themselves.

They could afford the luxury of a missed penalty before Tony Tumelty put it beyond doubt in injury time with his 17th goal of the season.

At the end Rec manager McDonagh said: “There is nothing like winning a derby and I thought we controlled the game and fully deserved the three points.’”

Not surprisingly YC manager Johnston disagreed. But now he is facing a Clarence Cup clash away to Immaculata without his ‘keeper and central defender Dickson.

• The man of the match award, sponsored by David McNarry MLA, was awarded to Comber’s Peter Kelly.

Comber Rec 2

Killyleagh YC 0

AMATEUR LEAGUE PREMIER

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder