This was always going to be a tough match against a strong Holywood side.
We started brightly moving the ball about and playing some good football. The first chance fell to Ards in the 12th minute when Stuart Hannah saw his shot saved by the keeper. Two minutes later and we came close again whenJordan Barkley had surged forward from the back unleashing a shot from 25 yards out but it was a comfortable save for the keeper. Then in the 16th minute of the first half Holywood scored with their first attack when slack defending let the striker in to score; 1 : 0 Holywood. Three minutes later as we were trying to regroup Holywood struck again when Brandon McFerran was caught in possession on the edge of his box and the striker went through to score; 2 : 0 Holywood. All credit to the boys as they lifted their heads and took the game to Holywood. In the 27th minute Stuart Hannah (who had replaced his brother up front as Ryan couldn't play on due to an injury he occurred) came close again but his shot was comfortably saved by the Holywood keeper.
HALF TIME; 2 : 0
The second half was mainly all Ards pushing to get back in the match and we were certainly playing the better football as the passing and team spirit was excellent. In the 58th minute Ryan McKittrickhad a chance to pull a goal back but yet again the Holywood keeper pulled of another great save. Then in the 63rd minute we had three attempts to put the ball in the net when Rory Nelson dance through the Holywood defence smash in the shot but the keeper got a hand to it, the loose ball fell to Jack Patterson but his shot came back off the post and the rebound fell to Ryan McKittrick but his shot was blocked by a defender and that just summed up our day, we just didn't see to have the luck with us today. A minute later and Jack Patterson had another chance but hit his shot straight at the keeper. Holywood grabbed a third goal in the last minute of the match; 3 : 0 Holywood.
FULL TIME; 3 : 0
Managers Comments;
Well pleased with the way the boys played today just needed that bit of luck but our defensive mistakes cost us in the end and a superb performance from the Holywood keeper was another major factor in the result. We need to learn from our mistakes.
