Antrim 3 Comber 3 (AET) Comber won 6-5 on penalties
Comber started this league and knockout cup quarter final without the injured Wlson and top scorer Clifford. Early on it was clear that the strong wind was going to play a big part in the outcome. The Comber boys were well fired up for this encounter against a big Antrim side much further above them in the league. Just like the first game the two sides contested, this was another close encounter. Comber sccored first when Moore was fouled on the edge of the box after a decent run. josh Dunlop took the free kick, drilling a great shot into the right side of the net. Comber never make it easy fro themselves, and conceded an equaliser soon after, when they failed to clear their lines and Rosbotham was beaten at the near post.
Comber went 2-1 up after the break when Coulter headed into the Antrim net via a slight deflection. It was nothing more than the Comber midfielder deserved after strong performances in recent weeks. Unbelievably yet again another defensive error let in Antrim again to equalise. The ball definately should have been cleared. With the league points shared at full time the game then moved into extra time to settle the cup competition. Playing against the wind, Comber went 3-2 down in the first period of extra time when the Antrim striker ran into the box unmarked and scored from an accurate cross. Comber hung on in this period, with Walker proving time and time again his worth in the middle of the defence. In the second period with Comber desperately in need of a goal, it was decided to play three at the back and Rowan was pushed up field. Not long after following good work from Clarke, it was Rowan who equalised with a glancing header. I t was what Comber deserved.
The ref blew the final whistle to end the game and the excitement of penalties then started. The five "volunteer"penalty takers were Rowan, Walker, Coulter, Dunlop J, Dunlop A, of which 4 were converted. Antrim also coverted 4 of theirs to take it into sudden death.Rodney, and Clarke scored their penalties, and it was left to Rosbotham to save from the Antrim no4 to take Comber into the cup semi-final.
The Comber touchline and players were well chuffed with the result, with all feeling the better team won. Just!!!
Team : Rosbotham, Magee, Rowan, Walker, Clarke, Dunlop A, Coulter, Mlligan, Moore, Dunlop J, Rodney,
Subs: Martin, Carson, Patmore, Kalkerts.
MOM : Walker
Penalty Scorers : Rowan, Coulter, Dunlop J, Dunlop A, Rodney, Clarke
