Carlos the ‘jackal’ is avenging angel for Dromara in thriller

18 February 2015

DROMARA caused a major upset when they beat the cup favourites and unbeaten Premier Section leaders at Bells Bridge on Saturday.

The game started at a high rate of knots with both teams probing and moving the ball well with some slick, sharp passing.

The young home side were working hard and closing the talented Ards side down, and they had the first opportunity of the game when the energetic Beckett broke from midfield, but the ‘keeper was quickly off his line to thwart the danger.

Ards had their first chance when Ricky Rutherford, the former Dromara, striker, had a header which was just wide of the target.

Dromara were growing into the game and Adam ‘Carlos’ McDonald on the right was causing problems with his power and pace. Ards, with so many talented players in their ranks, had a good scoring opportunity, but the situation was well dealt with by ‘keeper O’Hare.

To the delight of the home support, a great move down

the right saw Dromara take the lead.

Thomas Beckett got on the end of a good ball from Nathan Hamilton, beat his marker with a great turn inside and played a pinpoint ball into the box for Gerard Rooney to smash home into the roof of the net.

The second half saw the visitors coming out fired up, but the Dromara back line line of Hamilton, McNeil, Doyle and captain for the day, Ruairi McArdle, in top form denied any sight on O’Hare's goal.

In midfield, the trio of Gregg,Lindsay and Beckett again were outstanding with so much pace skill and work rate which surprised the visitors.

Ards drew level on the hour mark when they scored following a their third corner in a row.

Dromara kept believing they could win the game and with 20 minutes left some great play from Rooney saw him turn

his marker just inside the Ards half.

He beat a second defender and then delivered a great ball into the path of McDonald on the right, who hit a good shot from the edge of the box which the Ards ‘keeper parried, but McDonald followed up his effort to slot home.

Dromara were able to see the game out and 16 year-olds Kerr and Adam Gregg, who joined his brother Johnny on the pitch for a proud moment for his family, came on to give their all for the cause.

Dromara would like to send their best wishes to Ards’ Jamie Patterson who sustained a facial injury in an aerial clash and hope he makes a speedy recovery.

Dromara are now into the quarter-finals with a home draw to Lower Shankill which will be a tough game, but it is an extra bonus for the club with finishing as high up the league as possible as their main priority.

Dromara Village 2

Ards Rangers 1

CLARENCE CUP 4TH ROUND

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder