Queens 1 v 2 Ards

As storm Jorge arrived, Ards travelled to a very blustery Dub to face ninth placed Queens. The home side had the first chance of the game when a Hughes effort from range was saved by Neeson. Then, a shot from familiar face Jonah Mitchell struck the bar almost crossing the line, with Trayner’s rebound being wide of the left hand post. On 17 minutes TJ Murray’s header was cleared off the line, before Caoimhin McConnell’s freekick was also cleared by the Queens defence minutes later. Then David McAllister’s pass found Salou Jallow, but his free header was saved by Brown in the home goal. Moments later Dylan Wilson’s attempt was wide of the left hand post as the eventful half drew to a close. The last chance of the first 45 fell to Eamon McAllister, however, his strike from the edge of box was off target and the half ended 0-0. Early in the second half Mitchell’s shot from inside the box was saved by Neeson. Then on 57 minutes Conall Young’s free kick from a dangerous position was just off target before David McAllister’s shot was blocked with Jallow unable to take advantage of the rebound. With 25 minutes remaining Ards took the lead when a well-timed pass from Johnny Taylor found Eamon McAllister who was left with a one on one challenge against a Queens defender and the winger kept his composure with his strong strike finding the back of the net to give Ards the lead. McAllister then scored his, and Ards’s, second in the 75th minute when his skilful turn saw him beat a Queens defender with his lob from the edge of the box finding the back of the net, bringing the travelling fans to their feet, 0-2, in some style! The home side pulled one back when substitute O’Hare’s hit from inside the box found the top corner. However the away side held on to deservedly leave with all three points from a game played in very difficult conditions. A victory at the Dub means that Ards were unbeaten in February and gained a total of 13 points from their five games during the month. On a more sour note, Salou Jallow left the field on a stretcher with what looked like a serious hamstring injury which could leave Ards without him for the near future. Yellow cards- TJ Murray. Starting eleven - Neeson, Young, McGovern, Taylor, Armstrong, D. McAllister, Murray, McConnell, E. McAllister, Jallow, Wilson. Subs used - Calderwood, Magee, Gemmell. Subs not used - Dalzell, Dinu.