Belfast Telegraph Championship 1 Ards 2-0 Bangor

Ards made it a league double over Bangor as the year came to an end, with a strike from David Cully and a goal on his return from Nathan McConnell.

Ards dominated the first forty-five minutes and went in a goal ahead at the break with David Cully beginning and finishing off a sweeping Ards move. It took until the last minute of the game for the Ards second to arrive and it was the least that Niall Currie's side deserved having kept Steel & Sons Cup winners Bangor firmly in their own half for most of the game.

Ards' pressure began right from the opening whistle as David Cully, who had passed a pre-match fitness test, flew up the right hand side to put over a high cross ball that Ross Arthurs directed narrowly over the top from 6 yards. Five minutes after that and it was Kris Pike from the other flank whipping in a dangerous cross that found Ryan Berry's head and forced keeper Paul Cairnduff to carry the ball behind for a corner.

On 19 minutes Ards mustered up a great opening as Kyle McDowell flew down the left wing and cut a low ball across the Bangor area that squeezed its way to Mark Picking. The experience winger smacked a fierce low drive at goal that defender Dean Youle was well placed to block on the line. Bangor's input to the game so far had been nothing more than resistance but they had more than one look at the Ards goal around the 22 minute mark as the ball whizzed dangerously around the home area. Garth Scates' initial cross from the bye-line invited Andy Morrow to have a crack but he was well foiled before Youle drove a shot wide from the edge of the eighteen.

With that momentary spell of Bangor possession over, Ards' pressure finally told as they took the lead on 38 minutes. Right-back Cully was at the start and finish of the move as he brought the ball out of his own half before feeding it wide right to Arthurs. His high ball into the Bangor box sailed toward the back post where a Bangor defender sent it back across the area to a grateful Cully who bravely challenged Cairnduff at the back post to knock the ball home.

Ards still weren't done for the half though and Cairnduff was required to be at his very best as Sammy Devine lashed a shot in from 20-odd yards that the Bangor keeper pushed brilliantly over the crossbar. All eyes were on whether Ards could emerge with the same composure for the second half and put in a rare ninety minute performance. First blood of the new half went Bangor's way in fact with Ben Browne drilling in a free kick from 22 yards that provided an easy gather for Graeme McKibbin.

Ards, who were missing Darren Nixon at the back and Jimmy McIlhagga in midfield, were quick to respond; Mark Picking floating over the most inviting of crosses on 65 minutes that the long reach of Cairnduff plucked away from Arthurs. Picking was involved once more as Ards launched another attack on 70 minutes with his neat cross proving just the right height to beat the Bangor defence and fall nicely for McDowell. His deft touch took the ball away from Carinduff to play in Picking again and his second ball into the box allowed Devine to place a header off the inside of the far upright.

What little Bangor were seeing of the ball could be summed up with their only notable chance of the half - Scates stealing the ball from Devine in the 76th minute and striking over the crossbar without troubling McKibbin.

As the match entered the final ten minutes, Ards were able to introduce Nathan McConnell for the first time in three games following his recovery from a broken cheekbone. Still the chances fell for Ards with the impressive Picking finding Ryan Berry and his one-two with Aaron McKee opened up a chance for Gareth Corey which he lifted up over the Bangor bar.

The home side would have better luck with their next raid on goal, as the game ticked over into added time. Some strong play by Devine in the centre of the park opened up space for him to release Picking on the right and his first time ball across the penalty box was just perfect for McConnell to tap home from close range for a goal on his return.

Sponsor's Man of the Match Ryan Berry

31st December 2011

Printable version

Substitutes
9 Nathan McConnell
(for McKee 83)
15 Gareth Corey
(for McDowell 76 mins)
16 Ciaran Boyd
21 Adam Arthurs

Referee
Andrew Davey

Mr Addie Donaldson

Ball Sponsor
H & J Carnduff Butchers
Newtownards & Ballyhalbert

In the Amigo Box
42 goals - £21.00