Keeper turned striker denies Mallards late on

Published 30 Apr 2009 09:00 0 Comments

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Ballinamallard’s Darren Higginbotham who set up the equaliser that looked to have secured a point before Ards’ late winner.<<

Ards 2; Ballinamallard United 1;

IFA Championship; A goal five minutes from goalkeeper McDonald, who had pushed up front with the reserve keeper taking over in goals, saw Ards grab all three points from their meeting with Ballinamallard United on Monday night.

The battle for fourth spot looked to be swinging the way of the Mallards after Andy Crawford had headed home an equaliser 17 minutes from time, a draw would have left Ballinamallard two points behind Ards but with two games in hand, but then came McDonald"s late winner to leave the Fermanagh side having to win their final two games against Loughgall and Ballymoney if they are to finish in fourth place.

'Ards were good in the first half although we were poor. We improved though in the second half and got a good equaliser but then we threw it away which is disappointing,' said Mallards manager Whitey Anderson.

As well as fourth place still being a target for the Mallards, they could also have a big say in the promotion issue from the Championship. On Saturday Ballinamallard play Loughgall while Portadown face Donegal Celtic in what should be the title decider.

However, if DC don"t beat Portadown then the Mallards result against Loughgall becomes very important as Loughgall will then have the chance to finish in second spot and in doing so end Donegal Celtic"s dream of a return to the top flight.

'The Loughgall game could be significant in terms of who could be going out of the Championship but we"ll just be concerned with ourselves and trying to get the win,' he said.

The Mallards never really got going in the first half and early on Ards, for whom Kyle McCleery played well in the middle of the park, tested Paddy Morrison in the Ballinamallard goals after David Kee had lost possession in midfield.

Shortly after, Ards should have taken the lead but a free header was sent wide of the post. An opener was coming though and it duly arrived after 17 minutes when a nudge in the box saw the referee award a penalty which was converted for 1-0.

James McKenna had Ballinamallard"s first real effort on goal but his shot was deflected wide while the pressure was continuing on the Mallards defence as Morrison got down to make a smart save.

With the Ballinamallard defence, and in particular Mark Stafford, defending stoutly they managed to keep Ards at bay while McKenna and Crawford both went close to levelling things. McKenna had a free kick that was well saved by McDonald while Mattie Holden set up Crawford but his shot smacked off the post.

It was a brighter Ballinamallard side that came out for the second half with a header forcing a good stop from the Ards goalkeeper.

It was the introduction of Darren Higginbotham though that finally saw the Mallards make the breakthrough in the 73rd minute.

He made a brilliant run down the right wing before crossing to the back post where Crawford was waiting to nod in his 23rd goal of the season.

After this, Anderson"s side pressed forward in search of a winner and Stafford tested the goalkeeper with a long range effort. With ten minutes to go though came the switch of the goalkeeper to an outfield role, and in the end this was to prove the winning of the game as McDonald sent a diving header to the net to clinch the three points for the home side.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 30 Apr 09

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