Dylan delivers killer blow for Comber Rec

1 January 2025

COMBER Rec have entered the New Year on a high after claiming the Border Cup for the first time since 1958.

Underdogs Comber secured a narrow win over Crumlin Star at Seaview on Friday and made amends for defeat in last year’s final.

Dylan Wilson scored the only goal of the match in the second half and his side held on to bag a historic victory.

After a lacklustre start game spring into life in the 13th minute when Crumlin thought they had found their opening, but David Fearon’s miscued pass was too far in front of Joseph McNeill.

The next 15 minutes would pass by with a severe lack of opportunities for both sides and a lot of possession contested in midfield.

Comber finally found their feet after 28 minutes and were not too far shy of the mark when Wilson showcased his skill to turn his man and lay the ball off to Simon Hanna.

Captain Hanna displayed a deft touch to bring the ball under control and while his shot had the power, it did not quite have the accuracy and drifted inches over the crossbar.

Comber soon had another chance when Lex Walker got up well to connect with a corner, but the presence of a number of Crumlin defenders was enough to see his header sail wide.

Star were not disturbed by Comber’s pressure and soon played their way back into the action.

McNeill set off on a powerful, driving run, and just when it looked as though he would take them all on, a clinical challenge from Christian Irvine put paid to his efforts.

The game ignited in the latter stages of the first half and the both teams were perhaps unlucky not to enter the break with the lead.

Firstly, Walker’s throw-in was deflected into the path of Kristopher Gaw, who scuffed his shot and the gifted opportunity was wasted.

Dylan Donaldson was next to try his luck for Comber, but his strike was brilliantly blocked by Aidan Lillis.

Then Fearon went flying towards the other end on the counter-attack. He left the Comber defence in his dust and had only goalkeeper Corey Pollock to beat. However, the Comber custodian made himself big and clawed away Fearon’s dinked shot.

The sides frustratingly entered the break level and with everything to play for.

Comber were inspired by their first half display and wasted little to no time in snatching an advantage at the beginning of the second period.

Wilson picked up a loose ball and although his first attempt was well blocked, he followed up with an unstoppable strike into the bottom left corner.

Comber should have doubled their lead six minutes later when Brett Conville played Hanna through on goal and with only the goalkeeper to beat his attempted chip was easily grabbed.

Still, Comber were not satisfied with their one-goal advantage and as Donaldson and substitute Elliot Wilson pushed for a second goal, they were almost caught out on the counter.

Fearon caught the ball beautifully with the outside of his foot on the half-volley to force a diving save from Pollock and Stephen Fleck cleared the danger before Domhnall Cosgrove could follow in for an open-goal chance.

Comber survived a late scare when a volley was blocked at the back post and Crumlin winger James Doyle was sent off for kicking the ball away.

Moments later, Comber’s first Border Cup triumph in 66 years was wrapped up.

Comber Rec: C Pollock, S Fleck, L Walker, C Irvine, M Gibson, K Gaw, D Wilson, S Hanna (captain), B Conville, M Tumlinson, D Donaldson.

Subs: E Wilson, C Gillan, B Nelson.

Crumlin Star: S Harrison, M Lyons, S McBurney, A Lillis, M Devine, J McNeill, N Hawkins (captain), K Trainor, D Cosgrove, J Doyle, D Fearon.

Subs: S Smyth, P McDiarmid, F Marley.

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