NAFL Premier Division
Comber Rec 2
Abbey Villa 2
By Martin Strain
A LATE Abbey Villa equaliser and a last-gasp Comber Rec goal-line clearance forced a draw when the two sides met in a dramatic local derby on Saturday.
Goals from Villa’s Ryan Moore and Rec’s Chris Murray had the two sides level at the break, before the latter gave his side the lead from the penalty spot later on.
Substitute Philip McCullough was on hand to restore parity in the final five minutes, and it took a Comber defender hurling himself across the goal line to prevent David Clarke from finding an open net and ensure the points were shared.
A good crowd was present to see the game get underway, with the home team playing away from the pavilion end in the first half.
Comber started the game on the front foot, and ex-Villa favourite Murray hit a fine effort from distance that drifted just wide of the goal as early as the second minute.
From the visitors’ perspective, the first 10–15 minutes were something of a struggle as they tried to adapt their game to match their opponents.
However, despite enjoying the better of the play, Comber were not really causing the away defence too much trouble.
As the game progressed past the 20-minute mark, Villa began to settle better, forcing a run of corner kicks which caused all sorts of problems for the home defence, and they would not have to wait long for an opener.
Moore controlled a flicked-on header that fell to his feet deep inside the penalty area, calmly taking the ball in his stride, skipping past advancing goalkeeper Corey Pollock and slotting into an open goal.
Goals change games, as the saying goes, and straight after taking the lead, Abbey seized the momentum.
They looked dangerous on a couple of occasions, and it was goalscorer Moore who had the next serious effort, pulling a shot wide from distance.
As the half ended, Murray had a couple of quick-fire attempts at the away goal. From his second well-struck shot, the ball took a deflection off a Villa defender and flew past the ‘keeper, levelling the scoring at 1–1.
The momentum had swung again, and Comber pushed hard for a second in the five minutes remaining before the break. Villa’s defence stood firm, however, meaning the teams went in all square at half-time.
The second half got underway, and just like the first, it was Comber who started the stronger of the two sides.
Villa were again slow out of the blocks, as the home side piled on early pressure. That dominance lasted for the first 10 minutes or so, with the visitors struggling to keep possession, especially in the attacking areas.
That said, Abbey’s defending was outstanding, and several players put in excellent shifts. By the mid-way point of the half, they had settled again and were much more like their old selves.
The game was played at a terrific pace and, as it stretched, both teams created good chances, although neither were able to make them count.
With just 10 minutes remaining, Comber broke forward and Chris Murray cut in from the left wing, driving deep into Villa territory.
‘Keeper Ross Murray and defender Matty Edwards, who was absolutely outstanding all afternoon, both went in to challenge. The appeals were loud, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.
Chris Murray stepped up and sent Ross Murray the wrong way, firing into the bottom right corner to give Comber the lead for the first time in the match.
It looked as though the travelling side would be denied the point their performance deserved, but they showed tremendous character to hit back.
Two young substitutes combined, as a long ball was flicked on by Clarke, falling to McCullough, who took it in his stride, beat his man, and drove into the box.
Instead of looking for a cross, he struck a low, powerful shot across the ‘keeper and found the bottom corner – a wonderful finish for 2-2.
Five minutes remained, and both teams went for the win. Chances came and went at both ends, but the best fell to Villa.
A through ball into the box fell between Clarke and Pollock, who rushed out and appeared to crash straight into the striker, without getting a touch on the ball, prompting a huge penalty shout.
However, before the referee could decide, the ball broke loose and Clarke looked set to knock his shot into an empty net, only for a retreating defender to throw himself across the line and make a magnificent, last-ditch clearance.
Comber Rec will hope to go one better and make it three points this Saturday, travelling to face East Belfast at 2pm, while Abbey Villa have a Steel and Sons Cup tie at home to 18th Newtownabbey OB to contend with.
Comber: C Pollock, M Gibson, L Walker, K Calderwood, C Irvine, B Nelson, D Wilson (captain), C Murray, L Hutton, F Bayliss, D Donaldson. Subs: T Mathieson, E Wilson, K Gaw.
Villa: R Murray, M Dempster, A Arthurs, S Robbie, M Edwards, L Gault Reid, J Barnes, Convery, J Angus, R Moore, S Shannon. Subs: D Clarke, R Arthurs, P McCullough.
