So, from the league to the cup this midweek. The task takes a different footing as another County Antrim Shield crusade kicks off; the question on everyone’s lips being whether the team that wrestles the regional crown off Larne and denies them a historic quadruple emerges this campaign. While Bangor, now a second-tier side, may not have previously consider this the number one piece of silverware they would have focused on, the ‘bin lid’ does somewhat rise in the trophy stakes given their departure from intermediate football.
The draw has yielded some intriguing potential permutations as well. The Seasiders know that, should they advance from the round of 16 this year, the odds are firmly stacked in favour of either a glamour tie against one of the Irish League’s crème de la crème or a clash with one of their league equals for a spot in the semi-finals of this 135-year-old tournament. There is likely to be a keen focus placed by Lee Feeney in doing well in the Shield, and an added appetite among the players to perform.
Comrades clash has an added dimension as Bangor bid to build up a cup run
For the first time this season, Bangor’s focus turns away from the Playr-Fit Championship.
And, given the way the County Antrim Shield draw has panned out, Lee Feeney must surely recognise that a great opportunity lies ahead.
With some Premiership big guns tied together and no fewer than four all-lower-league duels teed up to be played this midweek, at least four – potentially five, if Knockbreda shock Ballymena United at the Warden Street Showgrounds in the sole first-versus-second-tier tussle of the last-16 – Championship and/or Premier Intermediate League sides will take to the field in the quarter-finals.
| Co Antrim Shield | First Round (5-6/9/23) | |
| Ards (2) | vs* | Queen’s University (3) |
| Ballymena United (1) | vs | Knockbreda (2) |
| Bangor (2) | vs | Ballyclare Comrades (2) |
| Carrick Rangers (1) | vs | Cliftonville (1) |
| Crusaders (1) | vs | Glentoran (1) |
| Dundela (2) | vs | Newington (2) |
| Harland and Wolff Welders (2) | vs | Ballymacash Rangers (3) |
| Linfield (1) | vs | Larne (1) |
The Seasiders will want to be among that number.
Last season’s Shield First Round pitted Feeney’s charges at home against Cliftonville, and a spirited account from the boys in yellow and blue ensured a penalty shoot-out was forced after the 90 minutes of football ended goalless.
Paddy McLaughlin’s men inched through, a 5-4 victory on penalty kicks that sealed the Reds’ passage into the last-eight.
Heartbreak after such a sterling account.
On the cusp of a massive upset:
In the First Round of last season’s County Antrim Shield, Bangor pushed Cliftonville all the way to penalties, however it was to end agonisingly for the Seasiders as Jordan Hughes (left) was the unlucky one to see his spot-kick miss the mark. The Reds took the 5-4 shoot-out win in sudden death and advanced. Image from Sarah Harkness.
This year, the dynamic will be slightly different. The opposition this time is more of an equal.
Ballyclare Comrades will visit Clandeboye Park and, at the time of action, the teams are split by just a single place in the league standings.
Fifth-placed Ballyclare and sixth-placed Bangor. It is a buzzword that has come into force during recent times – finely poised.
The form book:
- 5/8/23 – Ballyclare Comrades 3-2 Bangor
- 12/8/23 – Dundela 4-0 Ballyclare Comrades
- 19/8/23 – Ballyclare Comrades 2-1 Portadown
- 26/8/23 – Institute 1-0 Ballyclare Comrades
- 2/9/23 – Ballyclare Comrades 2-1 Ballinamallard United
The two teams have already acquainted once this campaign, when Tuesday’s hosts were the visitors to Dixon Park and left empty-handed and bitterly disappointed.
For a first bow back in senior football after seven long years out, the display perhaps merited at least a share of the spoils given the input of Scott McArthur twice sent the Seagulls soaring into the lead – but an early lesson of the ruthlessness of this division was laid bare when, just two minutes from time, line-leader Darius Roohi headed home the winner from a Ballyclare set-piece.
The Comrades only led for two minutes of regulation. But it was enough for three points.
Five games deep into the second-tier season, it has certainly been an education. This week, though, Bangor can show they have learned their lesson.
The examination comes with knock-out stakes.
History lesson:
The opening day tussle between Bangor and Ballyclare Comrades was a renewal of acquaintances for the first time in over seven years since the Seasiders were relegated from the second-tier, with the Dixon Park hosts running out slender 3-2 victors courtesy of a headed winner by Darius Roohi with only minutes left to play. Image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
Spirits have been buoyed following the last-gasp nature of Lewis Francis’ equaliser at the weekend – his first senior goal.
The centre-back, rising up from the back as Feeney rolled the dice in pursuit of a dramatic late leveller, produced the goods to snatch a draw in the seventh minute of added-time.
The Magherafelt prospect, who has been one of the team’s most consistent performers and shining lights during his burgeoning season-long loan from Dungannon Swifts, rose high and made himself available in the middle of an Institute sandwich. As Seanna Foster magicked up a dream cross with his wand of a right foot, Francis (19) rewarded his service with a mighty header low into the bottom right corner.
Wheeling away to take the adulation of the home faithful, the picture of joy etched on the talented teen’s face really did tell a thousand words.
Mind you, once the stardust waned, Francis’ philosophical side in fact came to the fore when he reflected on the events that had ensued.
“Yeah, well I think the way we started the game, we didn’t start too well,” he reflected.
“We regrouped at half-time, came out, thought the first five minutes (of the second half) we played more like we could, more like we know we can, dealt with the (Institute) goal and then kicked on.
“We regrouped at half-time, came out, thought the first five minutes (of the second half) we played more like we could”
Bangor centre-back Lewis Francis would appreciate a full 90 minutes that was more like the second half against Institute
“We tried to play well but I think when we analyse the footage back, we can’t do that (start games slowly).
“We have to start games from the start, like we did last week (a 1-0 victory away to Portadown), we have to be consistent in this league and you get the results, but yeah, a point gained at the end of it.”
The quotes section:
“We tried to play well but I think when we analyse the footage back, we can’t do that (start games slowly). We have to start games from the start, like we did last week (a 1-0 victory away to Portadown), we have to be consistent in this league and you get the results, but yeah, a point gained at the end of it” – there was an honest reflection on the clash with Institute from Lewis Francis. Image from Sarah Harkness.
Fast starts have been in evidence already this term, shown by McArthur’s goals inside the eighth and 12th minutes versus Ballyclare and Portadown respectively.
On both occasions, they set the tone for the half, with Bangor playing positive and front-footed football that placed the opposition under pressure.
Stat attack:
Bangor have not exactly found a preference as yet regarding the timing of their goals this season. Three have arrived in the first half, while another three emerged in the second period – though both against Ballyclare came during the first portion.
Against Institute – Francis’ finish maintains a record of the Seasiders having scored in every league match so far this term – it was a flame that started from a flicker, only truly bursting into life after Kirk McLaughlin broke the deadlock for the visitors.
Top performer:
Perhaps, even for it being his first senior goal, it was not a massive surprise to see Lewis Francis on the scoresheet. His displays in the NIFL Premiership Development League came in for plaudits, and that has translated like a duck to water to the senior game where he has relished the responsibility in the centre of defence. Image from Sarah Harkness.
The final half-hour was exponentially more memorable than the first 60 minutes, but this is not something that Feeney and Co will want to become a running theme.
Not every game will be salvaged in the dying embers.
Ballyclare, who are perched two points above Bangor courtesy of a third three-point haul of the season last weekend, will sense the determination.
Stephen Small’s panel have taken plenty of home comforts given all nine of their points have come in front of the Dixon Park stands.
The season summary: Ballyclare Comrades (2022-23)
- Position: sixth-place
- Ground: Dixon Park, Ballyclare, Co Antrim
- Points: 55
- Goals for: 66
- Goals against: 63
- Top scorer: Darius Roohi (18)
- Manager: Stephen Small (since March 17, 2022)
In addition to that opening day triumph – Roohi’s double, having dealt blows at the end of each half, complemented a long-range half-volley by Michael Morgan in a 3-2 success – the Comrades have also registered 2-1 wins against first Portadown and, most recently, Ballinamallard United.
Player spotlight:
The early-season form of striker Calvin McCurry must surely have inspired his Ballyclare Comrades colleagues that he is one of the talismen to lead them forward. The highly-rated forward, who made the grade for the Cliftonville first-team prior to his Dixon Park switch, has delivered crucial goals against Portadown and Ballinamallard. Image from Paul Harvey/Ballyclare Comrades media.
Latterly, Cliftonville loanee Morgan and Calvin McCurry piled on the pain for the Mallards on Saturday; Alex Holder hauling the Fermanagh boys back within one with 15 minutes to play before being shown his marching orders in stoppage-time for a second yellow card.
Their away record makes for much less impressive reading from boss Small’s perspective.
A 4-0 reversal at Wilgar Park against Dundela was to be followed by a 1-0 scoreline against the team Bangor barely prised a point from, with the experienced Howard Beverland’s own goal helping Institute to victory at the Brandywell.
How eager they would be to see that gloomy record knocked on its head in a setting such as this when the stakes are at their highest.
Perfect record:
This season has very much been one of home comforts for Ballyclare Comrades thus far. Such is that they and Dundela are the only teams in the Playr-Fit Championship to have 100% home records – and they are the sole outfit to have retained that after three home matches. Image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
Ballyclare like a cup run; they reached last season’s Irish Cup quarter-finals, forcing Ballymena United to extra-time and leading through a rifled effort by Caomhán McGuinness, and the campaign before were in the semi-finals of this tournament – although an 8-0 humbling at the hands of Larne may make such an escapade live slightly shorter in the memory.
Nevertheless, their skill in navigating knock-out competition – prior to that Inver Reds date in December 2021, they valiantly conquered eventual Irish Cup victors Crusaders on penalties – should have Bangor on their guard come 7:45pm on Tuesday night.
Stat attack:
The foundation dates of Bangor and Ballyclare Comrades are split by just eight months, with the former preceding the latter by that one-year margin. The Comrades, who were established in 1919, came into being as a result of the intuition of the old “C” Company of the 12th Royal Irish Rifles – a battalion made up entirely of East Antrim men who fought during the First World War.
As mentioned, there is an opportunity for progression. A chance to set up quarter-final and semi-final dates against illustrious opponents.
You sense that the born winner in Feeney will not give up that golden nugget without a fight.
Bannsiders visit on agenda for Seasiders as BetMcLean Cup gets under way
Meanwhile, in other news ahead of kick-off, Bangor have learned their opponents for the last-32 of this season’s BetMcLean Cup.
It is most certainly a long trip journey-wise, with the Seasiders set for a traversal to the Ballycastle Road Showgrounds to take on last season’s sixth-placed side in the Premiership, Coleraine.
| BetMcLean Cup | Round One Draw | |
| Annagh United (2) | vs | Portstewart (3) |
| Ballinamallard United (2) | vs | Ards (2) |
| Ballymena United (1) | vs | Lisburn Distillery (3) |
| Carrick Rangers (1) | vs | Moyola Park (3) |
| Cliftonville (1) | vs | Institute (2) |
| Coleraine (1) | vs | Bangor (2) |
| Dollingstown (3) | vs | Glentoran (1) |
| Dungannon Swifts (1) | vs | Newington (2) |
| Glenavon (1) | vs | Dergview (2) |
| Harland and Wolff Welders (2) | vs | Newry City (1) |
| Larne (1) | vs | Knockbreda (2) |
| Limavady United (3) | vs | Dundela (2) |
| Linfield (1) | vs | Queen’s University (3) |
| Loughgall (1) | vs | Ballyclare Comrades (2) |
| Portadown (2) | vs | Coagh United (3) |
| Warrenpoint Town (3) | vs | Crusaders (1) |
It is a reversal of a tie that took place in this competition two years ago, when the Bannsiders ran out 5-0 winners at Clandeboye Park courtesy of a Cathair Friel hat-trick and finishes by Evan Tweed and Conor McKendry. The venue has this time been flipped, though, with Oran Kearney’s team set to roll out the red carpet.
Those in yellow and blue will be pitted as underdogs against the highest-ranking Irish League team in the north west of Northern Ireland, facing last term’s beaten finalists as they bid to continue their strong fortunes in this tournament of late.
Knowing that star men such as last campaign’s Premiership top goalscorer Matthew Shevlin, creative midfielder Jamie Glackin, tempo-setting Lee Lynch and former Larne trio McKendry, Andy Scott and David McDaid could be unleashed in advanced areas, Bangor must enter with a hunger in their belly to make it to Round Two.
Could they do it? That question will be answered on Tuesday, October 3 – kick-off is 7:45pm.
Star Brown receives Northern Ireland Under-19s call-up and makes Italy trip
Elsewhere, all at Bangor are delighted for and wish to congratulate defender Sean Brown as he embarks on a new adventure with the Northern Ireland Under-19 squad this week.
The right-back has captured the attention of new 19s chief Gareth McAuley and made the trip to Italy, where he could feature against Gli Azzurri and test himself at international level again.
Brown, who has risen through the under-age ranks – last year, he was a part of the Northern Ireland Under-18 Schoolboys side under Simon Nicks, where his defensive colleague and fellow Larne loanee Ben Walker also featured – will have the opportunity to impress the 80-times-capped McAuley, who recently took the Under-19s top job as the full-time successor to returning Cliftonville assistant Gerard Lyttle.
Notable season stats so far:
- Appearances – Five (four starts/one sub)
- Position – Right centre-back (three times), right wing-back (twice)
- Minutes played – 418 (out of 450)
- Points in games played – 7/15 (7/12 as a starter)
As one of three Irish League talents selected, alongside Glentoran duo Leon Boyd and Rhys Walsh, 18-year-old Brown has played the full match in each of the Seasiders’ last four games and has already earned acclaim for his role in the famous victories over Portadown and Ards.
Teenage kicks:
It is quite the feat that, out of 450 minutes on offer in league play, Sean Brown, Ben Walker and Lewis Francis have each surpassed 400 minutes at this early stage – and in Francis’ case, played every single minute available. With Brown’s transition to regular first-team football like a duck to water having impressed in cameos at Larne, he will represent on the international stage as continued reward for his hard work. Image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
Having received his first professional contract in east Antrim shortly before he put pen to paper on a season-long loan to the seaside, Brown has found himself living the dream in recent months – and that has arguably been topped off by this recognition of his talent and ability.
The friendly match with Italy takes place this Thursday, September 7, and the club wishes Sean and the whole NI squad the very best of luck.
Featured image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
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