This week saw us travel to Ormeau Park to take on table toppers Rosario and the boys were busting for action after last week’s farce.
We knew we would have to be at our best to get a result as Rosario were in top form lately and over the past few week surged to the top of the table. So we started the match the way we know how and took the game straight to Rosario and in the first couple of minutes Stuart Graham gathered the ball inside the Rosario half and as he moved towards goal the Rosario defender clear went into the back of him but the Ref waved play on although it looked a clear penalty. We kept on the front foot and we got the breakthrough in the 9th minute when Matthew Guest’s shot was parried by the keeper and Andrew Graham ran onto the rebound to tuck it into the net 1 : 0 Ards. We were playing some good football but knew we could not take Rosario lightly so our defence had to be at their best and they were but Rosario did get a chance to equalise only to find Jai Sykes pull off a wonder save and push it away from goal for Andrew Graham to clear up the loose ball. Bradley McCourt showed his strength when defending, he gathered the ball surged through the Rosario midfield then hit his shot just wide. We doubled our lead on the 20th minute Matthew Guest floated over a corner which was met by the head of Jack Hare it came crashing off the crossbar and the other brother Stuart Graham was there to put the ball in the back of the net 2 : 0 Ards. We were now in control of the first half with Noah Crenshaw hitting his shot straight at the keeper and Jack Hare hitting a shot wide from 25 yards out.
HALF TIME: 0 . 2
Half time team talk was to keep working hard close them down and keep playing the football we did in the first half.
We new Rosario would come out in the second half and try and get back in the match and that’s what they did. In the 1st minute they rattled the cross bar and two minutes later they got a goal back, Ryan was caught in possession and the Rosario player got into the box a fire in a shot which Jai tipped over for a corner, from the corner it came in at the front post and the Rosario player had a free header which bulleted into the net to make it 2 : 1 Ards, game on. Both teams had their chances to add to the score line and although we dominated the first half the second half was 50 – 50 and our boys showed their battling power when their backs were to the wall they came out fighting. The ref signalled their would be 2 minutes of added time so Rosario threw everything at us in the last five minutes but our defence stood firm and when the ball went beyond the defence Jai was always in control of his box. Then came an ancuious moment when we gave away a free kick on the edge of the box in the dying seconds of the game. Jai organised his three man wall and as the shot came in it went well wide of Jai’s left hand post which he had cover anyway. As Jai took the goal kick the Ref blew his whistle for full time.
FULL TIME : 1 . 2
MANAGERS COMENTS:
I will start by saying it was good to have a good strong Referee it makes all the difference for both team as this was a good competitive match between two good team at the top of the table. The boys show why I have named them my Bravehearts as the never stopped working for 74 minutes and thourghly deserved their victory. You all know about Devine intervention well we certainly had our own today, it was twin intervention. Next stop N.I.B.F.A. Cup away to Magherafelt and boys you can come away with another victory if you keep playing the way you all are.
PARENTS COMENTS:
Sandra Graham
Well done Ards youth keep the pressure on.
Raymond Hare
What a performance boys, was breathtaking and so deserved. Had to win against the form top of the league team and yas BATTERED then, excellent!!!!!!!
Craig McFerran
Excellent result boys! It's in your hands now.
Gordon Guest
Well done boys. Now do you believe you can win the league. Magherafelt watch out the boys from County Down are coming to get you. Sirocco in 2 weeks. Let's give them a Christmas they'll never forget. A right good thumping.
Karen Morrison
Strong game, playin sooo well. ARDS YOUTH CAN DEFINITELY DO IT...LOOK OUT, HERE THEY COME.!!!!!
Raymond Hare
Yep, right response from the boys, just when it was required. Can't wait til NIBFA, then the old enemy....that b so sweet.
