The lads returned to a league fixture after yet another week off due to weather, and what an excellent venue to play at under the lights at L’derry Park new 4G pitch.
The lads faced the game without regular keeper Eoin Maguire who has badly injured his ankle a few weeks ago and Simon Turkington took up the role for the first half, and displayed excellent kicking into a very strong wind which really took the pressure off our back four. The lads played some wonderful football and on 15 minutes won a corner on the right, and straight off the training ground they where unlucky not to score from a Ryan Tweedy shot from the box, with the shot bring blocked and out for a 2nd corner. Again another text book corner from training with Ryan finding Caleb Keating who smashed the ball into the corner of the net from the 18 yard line, what an opener 1:0 to the Colts.
The game was one sided towards the Colts, and Simon in goal didn’t have a shot on target to save, with the excellent Jonny Wilson sweeping up any danger from Ards. Michael Lawson had many shots tonight, but we think the new boots need a bit of fine tuning as he wasn’t his normal accurate self, but he continued to press really well and get into som brilliant positions.
Half time came, and with five changes made one being Peter Duncan into goals for Simon, the lads started fantastically well again. Tommy Connery was holding the ball up well and playing in Donal Healy and Leo McGowan at ease, while Caolan Cunningham showed his superb fitness by covering every inch of the pitch, and with about 10 minutes gone Leo took a quick throw-in to Tommy, and as the ball bounced up the Ards defender took a wild swing at the ball but unfortunately he sliced his clearance and the wind took it sailing over the Ards keepers head, 2:0 to the Colts.
This work Ards into attack mode,and as they pressed forward Peter was called into action many times, and pulled of two excellent and brave saves at the feet of the Ards forwards, the 2nd being a 1 on 1 challenge which he plucked right off the strikers toe, what a save! The Colts again where bossing the game, and Ryan Tweedy did have his shooting boots on tonight, striking the bar twice from 30 yard free kicks, both strikes where hit so well he Ards keeper never moved for them, but they both crashed into the bar and cleared. Another quick throw on the right was received by Tommy who played an intelligent one touch pass straight into the path of Leo McGowan who unleashed a ferocious drive from the corner of the box right into the far bottom corner of the net, a better stroke you’ll not see this weekend!! 3:0 to the Colts.
Ards continued to play well and press us hard, but time and again Jonny Wilson snuffed out any danger and play super passes out of defence. Ards broke into the box, and the one time we failed to concentrate Ards poked on in under Peter, 3:1.
The Colts had a few more chances with a few more long range efforts from Rory Reilly and Ryan Tweedy, and when Donal Healy had to come off after a late challenge to his ankle, Michael came on to threaten the Ards defence again but just couldn’t get his goal.
The game finished with the Colts well in control ending 3:1 to the lads and keeping them unbeaten in the league this season!
Result: 3:1 to the Colts.
Man of the Match: Jonny Wilson.