Ardee out of time after great fightback
BELLURGAN UNITED ARDEE CELTIC 3 2
CONTROVERSY surrounded the ending to Ardee Celtic’s first match since returning to the Premier Division as they lost narrowly to hosts Bellurgan on Friday night.
Conor Lynch’s team fought back from 3-0 down to make it 3-2 with five minutes left, but with their watch on the sideline still showing three minutes to be played plus more for stoppages, the match official blew for full-time.
On reflection the Deesiders will feel they were the creators of their own downfall to some extent as all three Bellurgan goals stemmed from Ardee fouls.
The first came after a Dean Gaynor tackle, and from the resulting free kick Daragh Lafferty headed in at the back post.
Lorcan Myles had gone close for the visitors early on, though, and despite the early setback Ardee went close to restoring parity when Gareth Kane saw a header saved by Robbie Arthur.
Bellurgan’s second was a spot kick slotted home by John Smyth to Declan Butler’s left after a tackle from behind by Fintan Clarke had been penalised.
Before half time, Dean Gaynor rounded Robbie Arthur in the Bellurgan goal but was unable to find a teammate as Ardee attempted to reduce the deficit.
Within a minute of the restart, however, Ardee gave themselves a mountain to climb. This time a failed clearance by the Deesiders led to the concession of another free kick. The resulting goal effort was spilled by Butler and Declan Sharkey tapped in from close range.
It could have been four before Ardee Celtic got back into it as former Dundalk and Drogheda United player John Flanagan and Myles made vital clearances. But on 72 minutes the Deesiders did pull one back. This time Flanagan found himself in space in the six-yard area to finish to the net after a well-worked free kick.
Subs Bryan O’Connor and Shawni Dowdall made an inpact and the momentum was in favour of the visitors as they went in search of a second. That came with five minutes of normal time left when the impressive Kane received the ball around 35 yards out, and after steadying himself he unleashed a thunderbolt which flew past Arthur.
With time still left on the clock, hopes were high that an equaliser was on the horizon, but then the match referee blew up for full-time in the fading light. ARDEE CELTIC: Declan Butler, Pierce Hawkins (Shawni Dowdall), Colm Matthews (Bryan O’Connor), Fintan Clarke, Robbie Reynolds, Lorcan Myles, John Flanagan, Eddie Burke, Gareth Kane, Dean Gaynor, Darryn Gaynor. Sub not used: John McMahon.