Nothing could separate the sides at the Hen Run as nearly 100 minutes of football ended all square, with Dundela FC and Ards FC playing out a 1-1 draw. Ards took the lead in the first half, but Dundela responded early in the second, and despite plenty of chances, neither side could find a winner.
Ards came into the game after a demanding run of fixtures, playing their fifth match in 15 days. There was just one change from the side that defeated Loughgall FC earlier in the week, with Stephen Gordon coming in for Tom Mathieson. Dundela started the stronger, dominating possession in the opening half hour, but Ards’ defence stood firm, with Arthur and Reid clearing any danger.
Zach Barr, who had been struggling for goals in recent games, went close on the half-hour mark after being picked out by Conor Scannell, but his effort sailed over the bar. However, he made amends five minutes later, heading home from around 10 yards to give Ards the lead, his relief clear in the celebrations.
Dundela pushed for an equaliser before the break, and Ards goalkeeper Taylor was called into action twice—first denying Josh Andrews in a one-on-one, then producing a full-length save to keep out Andrew Hall’s free kick. Ards nearly doubled their lead early in the second half, with Jack Reilly’s corner cleared off the line by McConville.
Despite that pressure, Dundela equalised in the 53rd minute, as former Ards loanee Josh Andrews fired home from an angle following a well-worked free kick, his effort taking a deflection on its way into the net.
Ards responded strongly and created several clear chances to retake the lead. Eamon Scannell missed a golden opportunity from close range, with Dundela keeper Lewis Hunter saving with his feet. Scannell later headed wide from a Jamie Browne cross, while Barr also had a late chance after beating the offside trap, only to be denied by Hunter.
Following a lengthy stoppage due to an injury to Gary Donnelly, six minutes of added time were played, but neither side could find a breakthrough. The match finished 1-1, leaving Ards in eighth place in the table, ruing missed chances that could have kept alive slim hopes of a top-six finish.
After three consecutive away games, Ards return to Clandeboye Park next week, where they will host Warrenpoint Town FC in their final match before the league split, which will determine the remaining fixtures of the season.
