Brave United bow out of cup

This game proved to be a tight affair with very little between the two sides, but in fairness the visitors deservedly booked their place in the last four.

Gary Simpson’s side started the game nervously which showed in the number of times they gave the ball away allowing their opponents time to settle.

Even with this the home side had the first chance of the game when Garth Falconer charged down the right back’s clearance and broke through on the left only to see his angled shot on goal fly the wrong side of the post and wide.

The visitors first opportunity of the tie came when they were awarded a very soft penalty when left back Mark Nicell looked to have played the ball when he tackled inside the area but to everyone’s disbelief the referee pointed to the spot.

Justice was done though when up stepped the Ards centre-back Mark Dysdale and blazed the spot kick over Ryan McCloskey’s bar.

The home side continued to probe away at the Rangers defence with Stephen Curry and Steven Wallace making some nice runs only to be stopped by some robust Ards tackles.

The visitors took the lead just before half-time when left winger Gary McDermott broke clear before delivering an inch perfect cross to the back post and Johnny Roy made no mistake dispatched the ball into the corner of the net giving McCloskey no chance.

The second half saw United up the tempo and put the visitors under pressure.

Curry had a great chance when he cut in from the right and sent in a powerful left foot drive but unfortunately for him it was straight at the Ards keeper David Ferguson.

Minutes later Wallace had a shot from the edge of the box which went narrowly wide and the same player was involved in another of the game’s talking point’s when he burst into the area and seemed to be upended but again to everyone’s amazement the referee waved play on.

A minute later Rangers were two ahead when their Dysdale evaded a couple of tackles on the half way line before slipping the ball through to the winger Johnny Roy, who controlled the ball before his shot deflect off the advancing McCloskey and into the back of the net.

The Waterside men continued to push forward, Curry sent in a low teasing free kick which Wallace was inches away from diverting into the net and in the dying minutes Ross Clarke saw his header go narrowly wide of the back post.

Newbuildings return to league action this week with an away game at Roe Rovers (KO 2pm).

Newbuildings United: Ryan McCloskey, Grant Buchanan, Peter Blair, Graham Moore, Mark Nicell; Ross Clarke, Gregory McIvor, Wesley Ferguson, Stephen Curry, Steven Wallace; Garth Falconer. Subs: David Scanlon for McIvor; Gary Kelly for Clarke.

Ards Rangers: David Ferguson, Jackie Kerr, Mark Roy, Gerard Watson, Mark Dysdale, Ryan Stewart, Johnny Roy, Glen Bates, Darren Stirling, Ricky Barr, Gary McDermott. Subs: Jamie Patterson for Watson.