Stephen Hughes hopes Ballyclare Comrades can keep run going at the Welders

Traditionally Comrades have found it difficult to pick up points at Tillysburn Park, and last season the city side won three of their four encounters.

Comrades sit in second spot in the table with two wins and a draw, so perhaps they will leave last season’s woes behind them, and extend their unbeaten record.

“We are unbeaten in three, so we travel to Belfast full of confidence,” said manager Stephen Hughes.

“Adam Wright and Dean Youle have settled in well at the heart of the defence, and behind them young Kyle Rowe is shaping up well in the absence of Paddy Flood. Due to injury and work commitments Paddy has been unavailable to date, but he plans to resume training this week and then there will be competition for the gloves,” he added.

After taking an early lead Ballyclare Comrades had to settle for a draw with Limavady United at Dixon Park on Friday evening.

Jason Johnston got Comrades off to the best possible start when he connected with a Chris Creane corner and nodded firmly in to the net from close range with only seventy seconds on the clock, but they were pegged back before half time and that’s how it stayed in the second half.

“During the first thirty-five minutes we were all over them. Playing the best football I have seen for some time we dominated and created lots of chances, but poor finishing cost us two points,” added Hughes. “The players were all disappointed with the result, but they are determined to get back on the winning trail against the Welders.”