Three wins from four as Ards settle into pre-season groove

Three wins from four as Ards settle into pre-season groove

IT HAS been a positive start to pre-season for Ards.

Following defeat to Ballymena United in their first friendly six days ago, John Bailie’s men have recorded three wins against lower league opposition scoring 15 goals to boot.

Saturday saw the Red and Blues split their squad in half, with one side beating Killyleagh 7-0 at the Showgrounds while the other earned a 1-0 win over Rosemount Rec at Londonderry Park.

Then on Tuesday, Ards romped to another 7-0 win, this time over PSNI at Newforge Lane with Aidan Steele netting a hat-trick.

Of course, the results are not what matter in pre-season – rather it’s about players building towards match rhythm and fitness. Recent games have also given several of Ards’ new recruits and trialists the opportunity to impress, with both striker Colin Oppong and midfielder Corey McLaughlin coming in for positive reports so far.

Meanwhile, Larne’s Ethan Simpson and Brandon Bradshaw, most recently with Knockbreda, have both featured for the Red and Blues in pre-season. Simpson, 19, was on loan at Championship side Ballyclare Comrades during the first part of the last campaign but found regular minutes hard to come by, while 20 year-old Bradshaw made 17 appearances for ’Breda.

Next up for Ards is a meeting with Portadown at Clandeboye Park on Tuesday night (7.30pm).