Comber crashed out of this year’s Border Cup following a narrow defeat at Rosemount.


Both sides struggled to produce their best football in difficult, blustery conditions, with the strong wind making it hard to build any real rhythm or maintain prolonged spells of possession.


The game remained finely balanced throughout, with neither side able to find the breakthrough as both defences stood firm. Comber worked hard to gain a foothold in the contest and had their moments, but clear-cut chances were at a premium.


With the tie looking increasingly likely to require extra time, the decisive moment arrived late in the game. Rosemount were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position and Rice stepped up to convert, giving the home side a slender advantage.


Comber pushed forward in search of an equaliser in the closing stages but were unable to find a way through, and Rice’s late strike proved enough to send Rosemount into the next round and bring Comber’s Border Cup campaign to an end.