St Mary’s U13’s made it a magnficient seven out of seven wins with a battling 2-1 success at Derry Park against a gritty Ards Rangers on Saturday.
They arrived at Ards with confidence high due to the great start to the season, but found their opponents from the peninsula in no mood to lie down without a fight. It was a very tight opening ten minutes with no quarter asked or given in the battle for control of the midfield. The first chance of the game was created by Donaghy who foraged down the right flank and fired over a shot which went narrowly over the bar. Minutes later, Ross and O’ Reilly created a chance for Park to shoot, but his effort went just wide. Ards were very dangerous on the break with their aim being to feed their big striker, who had pace to burn, but who was being matched for pace by the impressive Breen in his customary role of sweeper. He was also being well shackled by McCormick at the back who took on the role of man marker. With ten minutes to go to half time the Ards striker got the ball and went on a run up the touchline past the St Mary’s defence, only to pull his shot wide of the advancing keeper Morgan. Half time 0-0.
The second half started brightly for St Mary’s with a series of corners being won. On two occasions, McNaughton floated over balls to Ross, who flicked on great headers which both found the side netting. With St Mary’s taking control of the game, they deservedly took the lead ten minutes into the 2nd half when after pressure in the box, the ball fell to McGarrity who poked the ball home from 6 yards. With their tails up, St Mary’s went in search of a second and got it when O Reilly blasted home a cracker from the edge of the box to give the brilliant Ards keeper no chance. There were other efforts by St Mary’s Ross and Mc Naughton which were well saved by the Ards No 1. Perhaps complacency set in after this because Ards got back in the game when a ball to their forward was well taken and he sprinted past the static defence to slot home past net minder Morgan. St Mary’s hung on for a well deserved 7th straight win which consolidates their position at the top of the league. Star men were Ross, McCormick and Breen.
This week they face Ballywalter in a top of the table clash at Hydebank at 11:00 on Saturday morning. Training is on as usual at St Patricks on Thursday night at 7:30 sharp.
