PLAYR-FIT CHAMPIONSHIP
ARDS 2
STEELE 16’, ROOHI 90+1’
ANNAGH UNITED 0
ARDS strengthened their case for a top-six finish on Saturday as they bounced back from defeat to Newry by seeing off Annagh United at Clandeboye Park.
Goals in each half from Aidan Steele and Darius Roohi guided the Red and Blues to a second win of the season over Ciaran McGurgan’s side, a result which moved Ards three points clear of Institute in seventh.
The visitors had the first sight of goal when Scott McCulough’s effort stung the palms of Alex Moore after five minutes. But Ards drew first blood just past the quarter-hour mark. Lee Newell did well to shrug off Lee Upton wide on the right before playing in Eamon Scannell, and after his pass was cut out by Annagh’s Nathan Kerr, it broke to Aidan Steele on the edge of the area who rifled home his eighth league goal of the season.
The former Crystal Palace man could have had a second 15 minutes later, but he headed straight at Joel Little after being found by Ciaran Dobbin. Ryan Swan was perhaps fortunate to stay on the pitch after appearing to lead with the elbow in a duel with Ryan Arthur late in the first half. Referee Stewart Long concluded that a yellow card was sufficient punishment for the Annagh striker.
On the hour mark Paul Finnegan entered the book after a firm challenge on Lee Newell, with the home support again feeling it warranted more. Annagh’s long throws were a feature of the afternoon and required defensive intervention on Ars’ part more than once.
With 75 minutes on the clock, Ards somehow failed to double their lead after Steele outwitted Aaron Rogers and flashed the ball across the face of goal for Ethan Simpson. The 20 year-old’s effort came back off the post with Eamon Scannell hesitating on the rebound.
Annagh then went close in the dying moments as Swan crossed for Stephen Murray in the area, only for Max Greer to get in the way of the veteran striker’s header.
From the resultant break, Ards clinched all three points. After an upfield clearance from Simpson, the bounce of the ball deceived Lee Upton at the back and taking full advantage was Darius Roohi, who drove into the area and coolly steered past Little.
This weekend, John Bailie’s side make the short trip to east Belfast (Saturday, 3pm) to face a Harland and Wolff Welders team without a defeat in the league since mid-December.
Paul Kee’s Welders currently occupy second place behind Bangor and on Tuesday night got past Ballinamallard United thanks to a Josh Kee goal.
