Mallards routed by Ards in penultimate league game

Ballinamallard United 0 Ards 5

Ballinamallard United suffered their heaviest home defeat of the season as they fell to a five-goal defeat to Ards at Ferney Park.

The Mallards had an outside chance of claiming a seventh-placed finish in the NIFL Championship prior to kick-off, but any chance of snatching that spot off Ballyclare was quickly banished as tenth-placed Ards scored four goals in 11 minutes and added a fifth just before half-time.

Ballinamallard manager Tommy Canning continued his post-split policy of giving minutes to players who had not featured as frequent starters in the regular season, as he made five changes to the starting line-up that triumphed over Dergview.

Goalkeeper Adam Groogan made his first league start for the club in place of Jamie Ray, with Dean Corrigan replacing the suspended Richie Johnston. Ultan O’Grady and John Edgar came into midfield in place of James McGrath and Aaron Harkin, with Nick Plamer getting a chance as the central striker as Josh McIlwaine dropped to the substitute’s bench.

Ards carved out the first effort just two minutes into the contest when Callum Dougan’s pass gave Connor Maxwell a sight of goal, but he drilled his shot into the side netting.

The Mallards came back at Ards and John Edgar’s near post cross was almost stabbed in by Darragh Byrne. Edgar then led a quick Ballinamallard break into Ards’ territory, and he squared the ball for Danny Barker. The winger attempted to round the keeper but was forced to the byline and was unable to pick out a teammate with his cutback.

The game took a decisive turn in Ards’ favour after 21 minutes when Maxwell’s free kick eluded goalkeeper Groogan to give the visitors the lead.

Four minutes later Michael Ruddy converted from the penalty spot, and a second free kick from Maxwell made it three after 28 minutes.

Dougan added the fourth, and on the stroke of half-time, it became five.

Ballinamallard lost possession in the centre of the pitch and Ards broke forward with Eamon Scannell’s shot striking the crossbar and Adam McCallum blasting in the rebound.

Ballinamallard made four substitutions at half-time in a bid to haul themselves back into the game, with Jamie Ray, Aaron Harkin, James McGrath and Aaron Harkin replacing Groogan, Palmer, Edgar and O’Grady and although it stemmed the flow of goals they could not find a goal of their own as Ards saw out the game with ease.

Ballinamallard welcome Ballyclare Comrades to Ferney Park for the final NIFL Championship game of the season this Friday, where a victory for the home team will secure an eightht place finish.