Ards were glad to get back into action after a two month break since their unlucky elimination on penalties in the County Antrim Shield at the hands of Glentoran.
This friendly match against Kilmore Rec was a chance for manager John Bailie to give players a run out and he took full advantage by changing all eleven players at half time.
Ards fans who made the trip to Crossgar noted ex players Gary Kennedy, Joe McKinney and Cai Gemmell in the home team's starting line up and were looking forward to some action after the long lay off.
Ards settled quickly on a difficult surface and after eighteen minutes a corner from Eamon McAllister was nodded back across goal and volleyed in by Kym Nelson at the far post to give the visitors the lead. Five minuted later another corner by McAllister was fumbled by the keeper at the near post and Ards had a two goal advantage. The home team quickly reduced the deficit when Kennedy slotted home after Ards lost possession in midfield. Ten minutes later Ards re-established their two goal lead when a centre from Leo Brown was headed home by Daniel Reynolds. Brown himself almost extended the lead when his clever looping header beat the keeper but came back off the bar. Then ex Ards player Gemmell forced Devine to make a good save with a great effort from outside the box just before the half time whistle.
The opening period of the second half saw the home side on top for a while and they made it 3-2 following a corner that caught the visitor's defence napping in the 65th minute. Jake Corbett made it 4-2 after taking advantage of a defensive lapse by the home side on 69 minutes. However Klimore continued to press and a hopeful free kick from distance evaded everyone and ended up in the back of the net to make it 4-3 with 15 minutes left.
Craig McMillen then had an impact on the game, first forcing the home keeper to make an excellent save at the near post before winning and converting a penalty in the 87th minute to make the final score 5-3 to the Red and Blues.
Next up will be a bigger challenge against Crusaders at Seaview on Monday 14th December with a 7.30 p.m. kick off.
Starting Eleven :- Devine, Young, O'Hare, McBriarty, Magill, Glover, Nelson, Triallist, E.McAllister, Brown, Reynolds.
Second half team :- Neeson, Macrory, Calderwood, McGovern, Dinu, McMillen, Murray, Corbett, Roohi, Ferris, Kelly.