By Jana McCabe
After defeat at the Newry Showgrounds last Friday, Ards looked to bounce back as seventh placed Glentoran visited the Bangor Fuels Arena.
In the eighth minute of play Michael McLellan’s turn and strike was well saved by Elliott Morris. In the eleventh minute Ards captain Johnny Taylor cleared the ball off the line after a Glentoran chance came crashing off the post.
There were few chances for either side before, in the thirty second minute, Michael McLellan’s strike was off target, deflecting off Eamon McAllister and presenting the Ards striker with another chance but his second strike was denied by Elliott Morris.
Marcus Kane’s pass then found Curtis Allen whose strike was brilliantly saved by Sam Johnston. In the closing minutes of the first half Darren Murray had a great opportunity but he was denied by Sam Johnston and the half ended 0-0.
Ards opened the scoring in the fifty fourth minute when McLellan knocked in the rebound following Josh Kelly’s shot from the edge of the box.
As the Glens pressed for an equaliser, John Herron’s strong freekick from a good position was well saved by Ards stopper Johnston. Josh Kelly’s volley was then saved by Morris to deny Ards a second goal.
However the game was level in the seventy ninth minute when Robbie McDaid’s close range shot from a Curtis Allen pass found the back of the net, 1–1.
In the last five minutes Craig McClean’s strike from range was wide of the left hand post, before Johnny Taylor received his second yellow card of the day and was sent to the stands. In injury time Glentoran captain Kane’s header came off the post and was cleared to the relief of the Red and Blue Army.
The game ended 1-1 and Sam Johnston received Man Of The Match. So a hard-earned point for Ards as the relegation battle continues. However after Newry beating Warrenpoint in the late kick-off, Ards remain bottom of the table, now three points adrift. Next week Ards travel to the Brandywell to face Institute.
XI: Sam Johnston, Michael Kerr, Craig McClean, Johnny Taylor, Damien McNulty, Eamon McAllister, Josh Kelly, Gareth Tommons, Eoghan McCawl, Michael McLellan and Mark Kelly.
Used Subs: Callum Byers (for Damien McNulty), Jourdan Shearer (for Mark Kelly) and Darren Henderson (for Michael
Unused Subs: Matthew Davidson, Kyle Cherry, David McAllister and Adam McAleenan
Yellow cards - Josh Kelly.
Red cards - Johnny Taylor.
