Carnegie First Division: Ards 0-2 Tobermore United
6th May 2008

Clandeboye Park saw the final First Division game of the season for both Ards and Tobermore United on Tuesday night and it was the visitors who headed home happy, thanks to two second half strikes.

A classic this game was never going to be with not much at stake for either side, both of whom took the opportunity to experiment with the line-up. Ards goalkeeper Andy McDonald wasn't fit to play, so in came Jason Mooney for his third start of the season. Aaron McKee returned to replace the suspended James Wilson in the centre of midfield, but otherwise the Ards side was unchanged from that which drew one-all at Fortwilliam on Saturday.

There were just a couple of half chances very early on before the game lapsed into an early slumber. Justin McBride scarcely troubled the Tobermore keeper with his effort and then a weak kick out from Mooney was far from being punished by Niall Cooke's long drive. On then to the 26th minute when Jonny Roy claimed the ball in midfield and did well to slip it through for Kris Pike, who had made a smart run into the box. The visitors' defence were sharp through and Pike was well covered as he attempted to shoot.

Another good piece of play in the 33rd minute saw right-back David Cully break through for Ards. He took the ball to bye-line, only to cut back a touch too far for Darren Stirling, though with all credit to the Ards striker, he still managed to wrap his foot around the ball and strike wide. Tobermore followed up with their first real chance of the game on 36 minutes when Paul Owens drove a 35 yard effort just wide of Mooney's left hand post.

A couple of minutes after that and a Tobermore free kick put Ards under pressure. The the kick was only cleared as far as the No.6 on the edge of the box and his drive was well saved by Mooney at his post, despite having seen the ball very late. The second half began with Ards bringing on Sharratt and Gorman for Roy and McBride and Sharratt was involved in the first Ards chance of the new half. A 57th minute cross from Craig McMillen found Stirling in the area who rose to challenge the goalkeeper. The ball ran loose for Sharratt, who was well placed inside the visitor's box but he shot straight into Hassan' arms.

An acrobatic effort from Stirling a minute later could have seen Ards ahead but Hassan was never troubled by the bicycle kick that lacked power and direction. Tobermore appeared to have a strong penalty claim on 59 minutes when Owens went down under Nixon's challenge but referee Alan Hayes waved away all claims.

On 62 minutes United got their piece of luck as Ards allowed a left-sided corner to flash right across the goal to find Niall Cooke waiting to slam the ball high into the net.

With both teams running down the clock on their season, the game received an input of life from Ards' teenage keeper Jason Mooney as, first he thundered a free kick from over fifty yards inches wide of the Tobemore net, and then raced up the field to head a McKee corner wide of the opposite post.

Finally with two minutes left to play, Tobermore snatched a second goal with the ball played square across the Ards backline to Owens on the edge of the area and he slotted home to the far bottom corner.

Match Sponsor Abbey Tiles, Unit 5, Jubilee Road, Newtownards, Tel 91814937

Team	Substitutes
1 Jason Mooney (GK)	14 Danny Mulholland (for Pike 74)
2 Darren Nixon (capt.)	17 Gary Sharratt (for Roy h/t)
3 Kris Pike	21 Thomas Gorman (for McBride (h/t)
4 Gary Spence	22 Mark Parker
6 Kerri Grant 47	23 Mark Drysdale
7 Craig McMillen
9 Darren Stirling	Referee Alan Hayes
10 Aaron McKee
12 Jonny Roy
18 David Cully
20 Justin McBride

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