Rory McKee at Clandeboye Park
ARDS are the Championship’s early pace-setters after following up their opening day win at Limavady with victory over Newington last weekend.
Zach Barr made it two goals in two games as he struck against his former club before Lee Newell doubled the home side’s lead just shy of the hour mark. Eamon Scannell added a sensational third either side of goals from Patrick Downey and Conal Curran for the visitors as John Bailie’s men joined Annagh United as the only other team to register maximum points from their first two fixtures.
The hosts got off to a bright start and almost found themselves ahead inside six minutes when Zach Barr’s effort kissed the top of the woodwork before Bobby Deane sliced wide from a dangerous position three minutes later.
Newington were offering a threat of their own in wide areas and could have broken the deadlock on the quarter-hour had it not been for the interventions of Matty McAvoy.
The lively Barr was then denied by visiting goalkeeper Dean Smyth after 23 minutes, who saved well from the former ’Ton frontman after he showed great strength and a turn of pace to bear down on goal.
Five minutes later it was Ards who had their ’keeper to thank as Marc Matthews got across well to palm out a Darren Murray header.
A back-and-forth first half appeared to be heading for a goalless conclusion until, with three minutes to go before the break, Ards hit the front.
Just as they had done for the opener against Limavady United seven days earlier, which incidentally also came in the 42nd minute, it was again the combination of Scannell and Barr which did the damage.
Lee Newell headed the ball into the path of the Ards number seven whose shot was parried to the feet of Barr and he did the rest, side-stepping Smyth before passing into an empty net.
In first-half stoppage time set piece specialist Connor Maxwell tried his luck with a free-kick from 30 yards but Smyth was equal to the wing-back’s effort and the home side went into half-time one up.
Ards really ought to have doubled their lead early in the second half when Newell was presented with a golden opportunity. The striker though could only head high over the top having been picked out by Maxwell.
But Newell’s goal was to arrive in the 55th minute. The ex-Newry forward held off the challenge of a defender to tee up Scannell on the edge of the area and despite being grounded reacted instinctively to steer past Smyth for Ards’ second.
On course for three points, the Red and Blues received a wake-up call just past the hour mark as Patrick Downey met Aodhfionn Casey’s searching pass at the far post to halve the arrears and hand Newington a lifeline.
So often the player to produce a moment of inspiration, Eamon Scannell restored the home side’s two-goal cushion with less than a quarter of an hour remaining. Scannell, with time and space, brought the ball under his spell before picking out the bottom left-hand corner from range with what is fast becoming a trademark lob.
Ards threatened to add number four when substitute Ross Hunter fired over, but not willing to go down without a fight the visitors clawed another goal back with two minutes to go.
Good work on the left from Jacobbi Tugman saw him strike across goal where fellow substitute Conall Curran was waiting to pounce and set up a nervous finish for the home side.
And nervous it was, with Matthews pulling off an excellent save at full stretch to deny Paul Donnelly deep into stoppage time as Newington looked to steal a last-gap point.
More coverage of Ards’ Championship bid, manager’s thoughts, and preview of next week’s game, only in this week’s Newtownards Chronicle.
