St Mary’s U13’s put in a great battling performance to snatch a hard earned share of the spoils in an entertaining 1-1 draw against a very capable Ards Rangers side at a snowy Mallusk on Saturday. Whether this will prove to be a point gained or two precious points dropped in their quest for the title will become clearer in the coming weeks as the season end approaches. What is certain is this Ards team will have a big say in who wins the title and will provide a tough test to both Abbeyvilla and Holywood in the coming weeks.
Soon after kick off O’ Reilly tried his luck from 25 yards but his effort was well saved by the Ards keeper. Ards also tried their luck from distance but their effort failed to trouble keeper Quinn in nets. Minutes later Quinn got down well to save from the Ards forward, and their next attack saw their big forward scoop the ball over the net, high and wide from close range. The defence of Quinn, Breen, Begley, Donaghy and Lynch were holding firm against a lively Ards team and midway through the half survived a goal mouth scramble, when it seemed certain Ards would score.
At the other end Breen sent in a brilliant free kick from the half way line which Ross was only inches from nodding into the net. St Mary’s fell behind on the stroke of half-time when Begley was dispossessed in the centre circle after bring the ball out from defence, and a couple of passes later it was nestled in the back of the net when the Ards forward rounded Quinn to slot the ball home. Half-time 0-1.
St Mary’s started the second half brightly and McGarritty went on a great run, but the Ards keeper was alert to the danger and was swiftly off his line to charge the shot down outside the box. The ball fell to Park who was unable to force home the rebound. Ards were very dangerous on the break and their giant No 10 outpaced the St Mary’s defence but his shot only found the side netting. On other occasions, he was intercepted by great last ditch tackles from sweeper Breen.
St Mary’s threw bodies forward in search of an equaliser with O’Reilly jinking past several opponents down the left flank, but his cross was volleyed over the bar by McNaughton. Just as time appeared to be running out, O’ Reilly was bundled down at the edge of the box, and the referee, who had a great game, gave a free kick. Skipper Ross stepped up as usual and hit a screamer which cannoned back off the bar. In the ensuing scramble, goal machine Breen thumped the ball home to make it 1-1. With St Mary’s still celebrating their goal, straight from the kick off some clinical passing set their No 10 free again, and much to the relief of St Mary’s, he pulled his shot well wide.
St Mary’s also believed that they could go on and win the game, but they could not force the winner. All in all, the guys breathed a collective sigh of relief at scraping a draw in a game which they were forced to dig deep and given a real test.
Star men on the day were Quinn in nets, O Reilly up front and McCormick for a terrific man marking job on the Ards striker. This week the guys play bottom side Belvoir at Mallusk, and know that nothing less than a win will keep them in the hunt for the title.
