Ards 1 v 2 H&W Welders

After a dramatic 2-2 draw at Ballinamallard last weekend Ards looked to get all three points with a mid week tie with the Welders. Craig McMillen wore the captain's armband as Johnny Taylor was suspended along with Jamie McGovern. Adam Harwood made his debut while David McAllister remained injured. Two minutes in Michael McLellan, who was celebrating his 100th game for Ards, had a chance to open the scoring. However, his close range strike was palmed over the bar with the resulting corner also being cleared. Then a lovely pass from Salou Jallow who was looking lively, couldn’t be taken advantage of by McLellan or Eamon McAllister in front of the goal. On the fifteen minute mark the away side opened the scoring when Glen Ferguson’s 25 yard wonder strike found the back of the net, 0-1 to the visitors. On the half hour mark captain McMillen’s far left pass found Kym Nelson but his strong header was just over the bar. As the half drew to a close McLellan’s volley was just wide of the left hand post. The half ended 0-1. In the fifty fifth minute Ards equalised when McMillen’s wind assisted corner deceived the visiting keeper, 1-1. As Ards pressed for the winner, Nelson missed a crucial chance in front of goal when his header was off target. Matthew Ferguson’s attempt was then well saved by Brian Neeson in the home goal. Ferguson did get back on the scoresheet in the seventy seventh minute when after a bout of head tennis his strike from the left found the back of the net to give the Welders the lead. Although Ards pushed for an equaliser the away side had the best chance of adding to the scoreline when Ferguson nearly got his hat trick with a free header that was just over the bar. The game ended 1-2. The defeat tonight means that Ards haven’t won a game in January. With no game this weekend the next fixture is the 8th of February when Ards face Dergview at the Bangor Fuels Arena.