IFA INTERMEDIATE CUP FIRST ROUND
ARDS RANGERS 3
BALLYMENA UNITED RESERVES 1
Dennis Nash reports from Drome Park
I CAN remember taking Feature Match to the Ballymena Showgrounds on two previous occasions – once for a schoolboy international and again to report on a sixth round Irish Cup tie with Comber Rec in 2007.
The Reserve side from Warden Street took to the Drome Park pitch last Saturday afternoon and saw their Intermediate Cup campaign grind to a halt at the first round stage, as Jackie Kerr’s team ran out comfortable winners over a Ballymena outfit featuring a number of established Irish League stars.
After an early hail storm had cut short the preparations out on the pitch, the weather was in a kinder mood as referee Stephen Logan’s blast on the whistle signalled for Philip Simpson to get the tie underway, with the home side defending the Portaferry Road goals in the first half.
It took just eight minutes for the breakthrough to arrive and it was the home side who grabbed the important opener with Reece Ritchie the scorer.
Only a fine save from Colby Davidson denied Ritchie a quickfire second, but after 24 minutes the home side did go two in front courtesy of a Kyle Mackie goal and the Braidmen looked lost already.
A corner for Rangers on the half-hour again caused goalmouth concern for the visiting defence and while Jay Torrens and Matthew McDowell drove Ballymena forward on several occasions as the interval loomed, the home defence remained very firmly in control of all situations.
After the break, Ballymena’s Ben Mallon fired a shot from range just over the target as Rangers man Scott Spiers was also wide of the mark with an effort.
Ballymena had definitely found a more attacking stance in the second period but their task was made even more difficult in the 66th minute when defender Caolan Loughran was shown a red card.
Nevertheless – just 10 minutes later – Ben Mallon halved the arrears to set up an interesting finish.
In spite of the red-card incident, the visitors had brought a flourish of confidence into their play and their second-half performance had certainly cast doubt as to how the game might turn in the remaining minutes.
However, Ritchie was to wipe away any thought of extra time with his 19th goal of the season as the game ticked past 90 minutes.
THE MATCH CARD
Ards Rangers: Rhys Lawson, Lewis Roy (C), Matthew Torrens, Scott Spiers, James Patterson, Mark Armstrong, Jason Walls, Marks Dzirvinskis, Philip Simpson, Reece Ritchie, Kyle Mackie.
Substitutes: Gary Watson, Jordan Lucas, Matthew Lee, Ashton King, Michael Hunter, John Johnston.
Officials: John Kerr, Johnny Barnett, Adrian McCourt, Jordan Barnett, Gordon Kenny, Danny McCann.
Ballymena United Reserves: Colby Davidson, Jack O’Mahony, Brian Quinn, Caolan Loughran, Brendan Barr, Ben Mallon, Jay Torrens, Robbie Lurring, Colin Coates (C), Matthew McDowell, John Herron.
Substitutes: Lewis Torrens, Logan McWilliams, Odhran Moan, Oscar McClay, Sam Lurring.
Officials: Andrew Law, Ronnie Balmer, Christopher Getty, Chris Duff.
THE TEAMS
Ards Rangers FC
Ards Rangers were founded in 1949 under the influence of Alex and Jim Haslett. Alex Haslett spent a lifetime working with the Newtownards Chronicle.
The team started in the Alliance League and became members of the Amateur League in 1962.
Rangers field three senior men’s teams, as well as a thriving youth section and a ladies’ team.
Ballymena United Reserves
Ballymena United Reserves compete in the NIFL Premiership Development League.
Currently they are placed second bottom, with two wins, two draws and six defeats from 10 games.
Crusaders Reserves are the current leaders.
The team’s last victory was a 3-0 win at Ballymena Showgrounds against Carrick Rangers Reserves.
THE COMPETITION
The Intermediate Cup was first contested in 1892 and is Northern Ireland’s premier competition for clubs of intermediate status.
Linfield Swifts are the most successful side in the competition, having won it 11 times.
Current holders Immaculata defeated Crumlin Star on penalties in the 2024 final at Windsor Park.
SELECTED OTHER FIRST ROUND RESULTS
1st Bangor 1-1 Castlewellan Town (Castlewellan won 4-5 on penalties)
Desertmartin 5-0 Portavogie Rangers
Dundonald 0-6 Warrenpoint Town
Glebe Rangers 1-3 Rosemount Rec
Moyola Park 3-6 Comber Rec (AET)
Portaferry Rovers 0-3 Tandragee Rovers
Rectory Rangers 1-8 Killyleagh YC
Suffolk 0-4 Abbey Villa
Orangefield OB 1-4 Bryansburn Rangers
At Drome Park
My day at Drome Park –with hail beating down mercilessly before kick-off and bitterly cold conditions throughout – was made much more pleasurable by the kind and thoughtful efforts of Martyn Coulter. Many thanks.
ON THE TOUCHLINE
Maybe more at home with running shoes on, but it was good to exchange a few words on the touchline with Andrew Gray last Saturday.
MATCH SPONSOR
CC Contracts Electrical Services sponsored Saturday’s match.
THE REFEREE
Stephen Logan produced a faultless performance with the whistle and was always in a close and correct position on the field of play.
PHOTOGRAPHER
The official photographer at the game was Jonathan Coates.
ARDS RANGERS NEWS
Results: Saturday, October 12
Dunmurry YM II 1-5 Ards Rangers II (Philip Simpson Jun, Noah Crenshaw, Ryan Brown, Chris Pierpoint, Ben Hollinger)
Ballygowan 3-2 Ards Rangers III (Bradley McCourt, Aaron Blair)
Fixtures
All league games with a 2pm kick-off
NAFL Premier Division: 1sts v Mossley at Drome Park
DAWFL Premier: 3rds v Ballynafeigh Breda Star at Londonderry Park
DAWFL Reserve 2: 43rd Dundonald v 4ths at Ballybeen Sports Hub