PLAYR-FIT CHAMPIONSHIP
ARDS 2
LOUGHRAN 9’, REILLY 16’
ARMAGH CITY 1
C. MULLEN 37’
Rory McKee at Clandeboye Park
TWO goals in a seven-minute spell during the first half were enough for Ards to see off Armagh City and get back to winning ways on Saturday.
With questions asked of them after defeats to each of the Championship’s newly-promoted sides, John Bailie’s men were deserving of the three points in an unspectacular contest at Clandeboye Park.
Zach Barr had the first sight of goal after a flick-on from Jamie Browne, but the striker could only drag his effort wide.
The opener arrived with 10 minutes played, when the returning Michael Ruddy rose highest at the back post to direct a header into the path of central defensive partner Loughran who grabbed his second goal in as many games.
Jack Reilly went close to doubling the lead three minutes later after his effort was spilled by Lewis Hunter but to the relief of the goalkeeper, it bounced back off the woodwork and stopped short of crossing the line.
Ards did however make it two-nil just past the quarter-hour mark with Reilly the scorer.
Some neat interplay on the edge of the area involving Browne and Ethan Simpson teed up the former Bangor winger who sent a half-volleyed strike past Hunter and into the far corner.
Ards continued in the ascendency with goalscorer Reilly giving the City defence the runaround at times, but the visitors were all of a sudden back in it after 37 minutes as captain Conor Mullen steered a cross from the right into the roof of the net.
At the other end, Michael Ruddy found space from a Connor Maxwell corner but headed into the arms of the goalkeeper as half-time arrived with Ards just a single goal to the good.
Midway through a largely forgettable second half, Ards had appeals for a penalty waved away after Paul Donnelly went down under a challenge in the area.
Armagh were undoubtedly improved after the break, but were met by a resolute Ards defence marshalled by Ruddy and Loughran with Marc Matthews largely untroubled in goal on the day.
