By Phillip Bartlett
Warrenpoint 0
Ards 1
ARDS earned a hard-fought and ultimately deserved victory over Warrenpoint Town in their final game of the season, with Jamie Browne’s first-half header proving decisive.
The visitors made two changes to the side that faced Institute, with Marc Matthews and Darius Roohi dropping out in favour of James Taylor and Tom Mathieson. Those adjustments did little to settle Ards in the early stages however, as Warrenpoint began on the front foot and immediately looked to assert control in possession.
The home side carved out the first meaningful opening inside five minutes, when a defensive lapse from Reid allowed Lorcan Forde to break through on goal, but he failed to capitalise, dragging his effort wide of the far post.
Forde remained a persistent threat early on, again cutting in from the left soon after, only to see another attempt drift past the far post. Despite the early pressure, Warrenpoint’s finishing let them down at crucial moments.
Ards were dealt an early blow in the 17th minute, when captain Eamon Scannell was forced off through injury, with George Tipton introduced as his replacement.
The disruption briefly added to Warrenpoint’s control, as they continued to dominate territory and circulation, pinning Ards deep for extended spells. However, the visitors’ defence remained organised, with the back line limiting clear-cut openings for the hosts.
As the half progressed, Ards finally worked their way into the contest, and their first real sight of goal came on 27 minutes.
Connor Maxwell tested Daniel Devine with a well-struck free-kick, forcing a confident save. Moments later, Conor Scannell’s dangerous corner created further panic in the Warrenpoint area, with the goalkeeper again called into action to prevent an opener.
Ciaran Dobbin also came close, meeting a delivery with a powerful effort that sailed narrowly over the bar as Ards began to grow in confidence.
That momentum culminated in the breakthrough after 37 minutes. Sustained pressure in the final third finally paid off when Browne directed a precise header over Devine and into the net, via the underside of the crossbar.
Buoyed by the opener, Ards almost doubled their advantage before the interval. Dobbin tried his luck from distance, but Devine produced a strong save to keep Warrenpoint in the contest.
Nevertheless, the visitors went into half-time with a slender, but deserved 1–0 lead, having weathered early pressure and taken their opportunity.
The second half was disrupted following a brief stoppage for a clash of heads, though both players involved were able to continue.
Warrenpoint re-emerged with intent, looking to increase the tempo and restore parity.Matthew Robinson went closest early in the half, meeting Matthew Lynch’s cross, but his header lacked the power to trouble Taylor in the away goal.
The game remained finely balanced, as both sides created openings without fully capitalising. A dangerous Warrenpoint corner was dealt with by Mathieson, at the near post, while Ards continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack.
Warrenpoint were struggling with the pace of Jack Reilly and Browne, and the visitors came agonisingly close to a second goal on 61 minutes, when confusion in the box allowed the ball to fall kindly to Mathieson, but Robinson reacted brilliantly, clearing what looked a certain goal off the line.
As the half wore on, Ards managed the game, retaining the ball and threatening on the break, again with the pace of Reilly and Browne giving the hosts problems. However, Warrenpoint pushed forward in search of an equaliser, committing numbers into attacking areas as the match entered the latter stages.
Their best opportunity arrived in the 89th minute, when Christopher Crane met a well-delivered cross with a firm header, but Maxwell was positioned perfectly to clear off the line and preserve the lead.
The final whistle came after one minute of additional time, bringing the 2025/26 season to an end with a creditable win on the road for Ards.
It was an up and down season for supporters and players alike, both of whom showed their appreciation for the efforts throughout the season as the players made their way off the pitch.
