After a convincing victory to make it through to the next round of the County Antrim Shield, Ards faced Ballyclare who have had a difficult start to the season.
The home side had the first major chance in the seventh minute when Eamon McAllister’s strike from the edge of the box was well saved by Ben McCauley. Then, Craig McMillen’s shot from range was also denied by McCauley.
In the twenty eighth minute Ards opened the scoring when new signing Ben Cushnie beat the keeper and cooly slid the ball into the back of the net, 1-0.
Cushnie was in action again in the thirty fifth minute when he attempted to lob the ball over the keeper, however his chance was saved by the Ballyclare keeper. The half ended 1-0.
Early in the second half Jordan Malone’s strike struck the bar as the away side looked for a way back into the game.
Then, David McAllister’s pass into the box struck the inside of the woodwork with the rebound falling to his brother Eamon but his follow up strike was cleared away in the fifty fourth minute.
In the sixtieth minute the away side were awarded a penalty. Joseph Tully stood up to take the spot kick with his attempt well saved by Ards stopper Brain Neeson.
Minutes later the home side scored their second when a lovely pass from McMillen found Scott McMillan at the far post with his strike making it 2-0.
Eamon McAllister then created another good chance when his pass provided Cushnie with a good opportunity but he was unable to connect with the pass and the chance was cleared.
In the seventy sixty minute McMillen’s shot from range was inches away. However the game ended 2-0, with Ben Cushnie picking up the Man Of The Match award.