By Rory McKee
PLAYR-FIT CHAMPIONSHIP
Ards 3 Ruddy 46 (pen), Browne 50, Roohi 77
Ballinamallard United 1 McGrath 32
ARDS began the new season in winning fashion after coming from behind to beat Ballinamallard United at Clandeboye Park.
James McGrath’s strike had the visitors in front at the interval, but two early second-half goals flipped the game on its head as Michael Ruddy drew Ards level from the penalty spot before Jamie Browne netted on his competitive debut to put the home side ahead. Darius Roohi added the third with just less than 15 minutes remaining to wrap up the points for John Bailie’s side.
It was Ards who started in the ascendancy with Ballinamallard ’keeper Lorcan Donnelly called into action from a string of early corners before new recruit Jack Reilly fired an effort into the gloves of the stopper after 10 minutes.
Steven Gordon, one of five summer signings named in the Ards starting line-up, then watched a header come off the outside of the post as the hosts continued to push for the breakthrough.
Despite Ards having enjoyed the best of the first half exchanges, Ballinamallard grabbed the lead against the run of play in the 32nd minute. The hosts were carved open as Joshua McIlwaine fed James McGrath with a neat through pass and he drove the ball into the far corner from just inside the penalty area.
Ards went looking for a quick reply and Eamon Scannell had a goalbound effort headed away to safety by Mallards defender Tiarnan Campbell. The visitors’ brightest spark was Callum Moorehead and the winger was in the thick of things towards the end of an increasingly broken up first period – first shooting over from an angle after his tricky footwork created the chance and then in added on time being stopped in his tracks by a recovering Steven Gordon.
Whatever John Bailie said to his team at half-time clearly had the desired effect because Ards were quickly out of the traps and on level terms 60 seconds after the restart.
As Paul Donnelly attempted to get on the end of a cross from Eamon Scannell, he was brought down inside the six-yard box by Mallards captain Aaron Arkinson and referee Conor Murphy awarded a penalty kick which was smartly converted by home skipper Michael Ruddy.
The turnaround was completed four minutes later when Jamie Browne was sent racing through on goal and he had the composure to lift the ball over Donnelly and into the net for a debut goal.
Now with their tails up, Ards pressed on in search of a third as Paul Donnelly tried his luck from range before Jack Reilly saw a powerful strike repelled by the busy Lorcan Donnelly.
Number three did arrive after 77 minutes and at the heart of it was man of the match Jack Reilly, who regained possession and then combined with Eamon Scannell before squaring the ball for Darius Roohi to apply the finishing touch.
Reilly’s performance was deserving of a goal but he was again denied by Glentoran loanee Donnelly who saved a further effort from the former Bangor man in the 82nd minute.
Substitute Zach Barr had a shot from close range kept out by the teenage goalkeeper after that on a day when Ards could have ran out much more comfortable winners, but in the end were left content with their afternoon’s work.
Ards: Matthews; Greer, Loughran, Ruddy (C), Maxwell; Gordon; Browne, P Donnelly, E Scannell, Reilly; Roohi.
Substitutes: Simpson (E Scannell 79), Tipton (P Donnelly 84), Barr (Roohi 84), C Scannell (Reilly 90+2), Arthur (Loughran 90+2). Not used: Ritchie, Carson.
