Dergview......................0
Ballyclare Comrades....2
IN recent weeks Dergview had knocked both Armagh City and Larne off the top of the table but on Saturday Richard Clarke's team were given a taste of their own medicine when Ballyclare Comrades knocked the hosts from their lofty perch with a 2-0 win at Darragh Park.
Goals by Chris Trussell and Corey McMullan condemned the Castlederg side to their first home defeat of the season in sending Comrades top of the pile, a point clear of Warrenpoint Town.
Dergview have slipped to fourth behind Larne who were a remarkable 6-0 winners against Institute.As expected Saturday's contest was closely contested throughout with the home side left reflecting on a number of missed opportunities, particularly in the first half.The first of those arrived just two minutes in. A sweeping attack instigated by Gareth Porter ended with Ivan Sproule picking out Campbell but the former Mallard striker's close range effort was superbly saved by Comrades stopper Paddy Flood.
Moments later Campbell went close again. Good approach play from Duwayne McManus and Sproule released Kyle Friel-Curran who crossed for Campbell to head the wrong side of a post.Ballyclare responded by creating their first real opportunity of note when Trussell raced into the box to fizz a shot inches by a post.
At the other end marauding fullback Garth Falconer had a goal-bound effort blocked after a tremendous solo run into enemy territory.Dergview continued to press and, in truth, looked the more likely, that was until the introduction of substitute John Dobbin in replacing Gary Brown helped the visitors gain a foothold in midfield.
And in a matter of minutes Comrades crucially grabbed the decisive first goal. The home side surrendered possession in midfield, the ball was passed to Trussell who raced into the penalty area to slot past Kealan Mulcahy.Short of the hour the visitors doubled their advantage to bank the points. Dergview were caught playing out from the back – although the hosts claimed their had been fouled - the ball was picked up by the ever-dangerous Trussell on the right and his driven low cross was steered up by McMullan.That second goal put the onus on the homesters but despite forcing a number of corners they failed to breach a well-organised Comrades rearguard.
Dergview: Mulcahy, G. Porter, Robinson, M. Buchanan, Falconer, McManus, Ballard, I. Sproule, Arkinson, Campbell, Curran subs S. Porter (not used), McBride (replaced McManus 62), Burns (not used), Lynch (replaced Arkinson 82), Cashel (replaced Curran 62)
Ballyclare Comrades: Flood, Woods, Shannon, McMullan, McQuitty, Youle, O'Hanlon, Johnston, Trussell, Brown, Robinson subs Taggart (replaced Dobbin 87), Gray (replaced Robinson 77), Irwin (not used), Dillon (not used), Dobbin (replaced Brown 39)
Referee: Tim Marshall
