PLAYR-FIT CHAMPIONSHIP
ARDS 1
MAXWELL 80′
ANNAGH UNITED 1
UPTON 54′
FREE-KICK specialist Connor Maxwell struck 10 minutes from time against Annagh United on Saturday as Ards extended their unbeaten run to five games.
John Bailie’s side had to come from behind at Clandeboye Park after Lee Upton headed the visitors into a 54th-minute lead. And on 80 minutes they did just that with Maxwell rescuing a point for the hosts when he fired past Jason Craughwell from 25 yards.
Ethan Simpson went closest to a breakthrough towards the end of the first half with a shot against the base of the post from the edge of the six-yard box.
But it was Annagh who hit the front nine minutes after the restart. Craig Taylor’s long throw was latched on to by the on-rushing Upton who powered a header past Marc Matthews at the near post.
The same player was perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch after appearing to throw an elbow towards Ards striker Zach Barr in the 70th minute.
Ten minutes later former Ards defender Conall Young cynically brought down Eamon Scannell as he advanced towards the penalty area and, from the resulting set piece, Connor Maxwell took full advantage by picking out the bottom left-hand corner with his free-kick.
Scannell almost completed the turnaround for Ards deep into added on time, but his shot from just outside of the box sailed narrowly wide.
This weekend, the Red and Blues make the short trip to east Belfast to face Dundela, where a win would see them draw level on points with Stephen Gourley’s side. Kick-off at Wilgar Park is at 3pm.
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Substitutes: Hunter (Newell 65), C. Scannell (Simpson 65), Tipton (Steele 85), Arthur (Carson 90). Not used: Moore, McAvoy, Quinn.
Booked: E. Scannell, Ruddy.
Annagh United: Craughwell, Kerr, Young, Finnegan (C), Donnelly, Evans, Taylor, Ximenes, Hastings, Rogers, Upton.
Substitutes: Murray (Ximenes 73), Convie (Evans 85). Not used: McKeown, Calvert, McCullough, Panzo-Antonio.
Booked: Rogers, Kerr, Young.
Referee: Gareth Stewart
