Ards welcomed Dollingstown in the last fixture of round two in the BetMcLean League Cup. The away side currently compete in the NIFL Bluefin Sport Premier Intermediate league.
In the first five minutes the away side’s Elliot Rea had his strike from distance saved by debutant keeper Ethan Carry, whilst at the other end Eamon Scannell’s effort from a similar range was also denied.
Fifteen minutes in Dollingstown had another good chance to take the lead when Keith Johnston’s strong strike looked goal-bound, but stopper Carry was able to deflect the attempt out for a corner, which proved no threat.
Then, Jamie Glover’s well-timed pass from the left hand side needed a finishing touch, but no player in Red and Blue could connect with the chance.
After 23 minutes Ards took the lead after a well-timed long ball found Darius Roohi who ran through on goal and tricked the Dollingstown defence, with his strong drive finding the bottom left hand corner of the net.
The last chance of the half came in the 41st minute when an Ards pass into the box looked promising, this time from Sallou Jallow, but the away keeper got a touch to the ball to keep it away from the onrushing forwards. The half ended 1-0.
Ards doubled their lead minutes into the second half when a mix up in the Dollingstown defence gave Ards possession in a dangerous position. Glover unselfishly turned and passed to Roohi who did well to see the approaching Eamon Scannell, whose resulting strike beat keeper Buchanan to give him his first goal for Ards.
Oisin Barr’s run through midfield then looked promising for the away side but his resulting strike was no danger to the home keeper.
Just before the hour mark
it was 3-0 after Glover’s pass from the wing was met by Scannell whose first touch found the back of the net.
Sixty three minutes in it was 4-0 after a lovely through ball found Jallow who was goal bound but cleverly back-heeled to Roohi tricking the away defence, with his shot finding the bottom corner.
Substitute Cafolla then dispossessed the Dollingstown midfield but his dangerous effort was cleared by the alert Mark Stewart.
Late on Scannell had two good opportunities to complete his hat trick. His first, a strike from distance was wide, and his second was saved.
The match ended 4-0. Roohi, who played his last game for Ards before going over to England to study, picked up Man Of The Match.
Ards were in complete control and took the opportunity to give youngsters Aaron McCrory and Jay Dalzell their competitive debuts for the Red and Blues first team. The only blot on the night was a couple of bookings for Young and Scannell.
Next up for Ards it’s a long away day to play Institute on Saturday. The bus leaves at 12:45 from the Ards FC Sports Club.
