Paddy Power Steel & Sons Cup round 3
Bangor Swifts 2-5 Ards

Ards beat Bangor Swifts 5-2 at St. Columbanus' College Playing Fields, to book their place in the fourth Round of the Paddy Power Steel & Sons Cup.

Justin McBride opted for a number of changes in his line-up for the game against the Amateur League side. David Cully was in for his first start of the season in place of Rab Young at right-back, while Ryan Berry made his debut in the centre of midfield alongside James Cully. There was also a recall for Adam Arthurs and a place on the bench for Sammy Devine, who had returned from injury.

Ross Arthurs takes on a Swifts opponent with Mark Picking in support Picture: Gareth McCluskey

Ards took the lead through James Cully in the tenth minute, when the powerful midfield player smashed the ball into the net from a tight angle. It became 2-0 to Ards in the 30th minute when Ross Arthurs knocked the ball low into the net to give Ards a two goal half time lead, that was perhaps harsh on the Swifts. to give Ards a two goal half time lead, that was perhaps harsh on the Swifts.

Ards' extra quality told in the second half, and Ross Arthurs got his second goal of the game, against his old club, in the 53rd minute.

James Cully strikes home his second goal of the season Picture: Gareth McCluskey

Nathan McConnell scored in his seventh consecutive game for Ards in the 61st minute, when the big striker knocked the ball into the empty net, after some neat work by Mark Picking on the right flank. McConnell is four games, and four goals away from equalling Mick Lynch's 11 game record streak in 1961/62.

Ross Arthurs completed his first Ards hat-trick with a stunning low volley in the 72nd minute, after good work by Ryan Berry.

Hat-trick man Ross Arthurs

After that Ards took their foot of the pedal, and allowed The Swifts to score twice in the last ten minutes. Gary Spence headed a Sean Fox effort into his own net, before Stephen Clarke completed the scoring with his side's second.

So Ards progress to the fourth round, but whoever they face in the last sixteen, they'll have to do it without left-sided player Kyle McDowell, who heads to America in the coming days on a three month sabbatical.

The draw for the next round will be made on Monday night.

ardsfc.co.uk