Combers Under 16's reached the quarter finals of a second competition, the Knock Out Cup, after a close game and a hard fought victory over second placed Ballyclare Comrades.

With playmaker James Milligan on holiday and a few changes made to the starting 11, Comber kicked off into the strong wind. The first ten minutes or so composed of Combers defence holding firm and the Rec. attackers finding it difficult to get into their usual passing fluency, with Ballyclare forcing a few corners and shooting several times into keeper' Craig Garrett's arms. However after settling down, Comber were stringing some good pieces of play together, with Adam Bennett dropping off Nathan Rodney to make himself available for Sam Braik and Neil Ennis, as well as wide men Jack Davison and Josh Halliday, who were making good runs both down the touchline and into the middle of the park. Unfortunately, the ball was not put into the box enough times and very few chances were created other than a Halliday snapshot which went over, and a ball flashing across the gaping Ballyclare goal - just asking to be tapped in - however no one in a yellow shirt was there to convert.

At half time, the management were upbeat about the performance in the first period and were confident of success in the second half with the wind now blowing in our favour.

The second half kicked off and Comber were on the front foot, with Neil Ennis making some driving runs from midfield, linking up well with Jack Davison on the right wing. However, that golden opportunity was proving elusive to come across, and Ballyclare fought their way back into the game by passing the ball well and spreading the play to their productive right midfielder, who was putting some dangerous crosses into the Comber box.

Ross Alexander then replaced Adam Bennett and Jamie McLaughlin replaced Josh Halliday, with Davis Kalkerts moving out to the left wing. Ennis and Braik were making strong tackles in midfield and Adam Rowan made one or two outstanding challenges on the edge of the area. Comber were then very nearly in front when Neil Ennis hit a 35 yard screamer which, for the third time in four games, hit the woodwork. Perhaps Combers best chance of normal time fell to Adam Rowan when a corner landed in front of him, but unfortunately he failed to make the connection needed to put the ball into the net.

The second half was turning into an end-to-end affair, with Ballyclare getting into good positions on the edge of the box and out wide, but failing to find that killer ball. That 'killer ball' was very nearly played for them however, when Adam Childs passed across the edge of his own box, only to see a Ballyclare player nip in and pinch the ball from Rowans foot. Childs was spared his blushes however when Garrett sprinted out and made a terrific save at the strikers feet. Michael Crooks was then replaced by Jack Millar in a straight swap at right back. Davis Kalkerts was very lively on the left wing, beating the right back and winning corner after corner, however at full time the score was still 0-0, meaning extra time had to be played.

Braik was taken off for Kurty McClure at the interval, with Davis Kalkerts again moving position into centre midfield to partner Ennis, and Aaron Moore replaced Jack Davison on the right wing. The first half of extra time had only just began when the comedy moment of the match occured. Adam Childs, on the left touchline, decided to pass the ball straight out of play to Braik, who had been substituted, and was wearing a pink bib. Childs later defended himself by saying "I dont know, i heard your voice". There were no clear-cut chances in the first part of extra time but Combers defence, led by man of the match Adam Rowan, were strong and organised, as they had been all match.

In the second half, the heavens opened and hailstones rained down. This change of weather proved to have a positive effect on the Comber players, who were edging closer and closer to that all important winning goal. Just as the hailstorm ended, Neil Ennis nutmegged the Ballyclare left back, played a one-two and skipped past the centre back only to be upended in the box. The referee awarded a penalty, which Adam Rowan dispatched with power into the bottom right hand corner of the net. Comber knew that if they could hold on for the last five minutes, they would win the game. Ballyclare tried to force their way forward, but pressure from the attackers meant that they could not get up the field and create a chance to equalise. The final whistle went and Comber will now meet Willowbank, conquerors of Linfield in the NIBFA, in the quarter finals. In my opinion, this was one of our best performances of the season. Supporting the player in possession has been practiced this week in training, and i feel that today it showed. The link-up play and spreading of the ball was very good. There are still some areas that need to be worked on, but that will come.

The entire team can be proud of themselves. The strikers didn't stop running, the midfield and wingers were strong and creative and the defence was solid. Man of the match was a tough decision, but it goes to Adam Rowan for his organisation of both the defence and the midfield, some massively important tackles at times when we were stretched and, of course, scoring the winning goal.

Comber: Garrett, Crooks, Rowan (C), Kalkerts, Childs, Davison, Braik, Ennis, Halliday, Bennett, Rodney.

Subs: McLaughlin, Moore, McClure, Alexander, Millar.
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