Poor run continues for Waterside men

Nixon (48); McConnell (66)

Institute...(0) 0

IT was another bad day at the office for Institute as they suffered another disappointing defeat, at sixth placed Ards, on Saturday.

Two second half goals from Darren Nixon and Nathan McConnell secured the points for the home side, who in truth never really looked in danger as the visitors’ only real chance came late on when Paddy McLaughlin was denied.

Things were tight in the first half until the half hour mark then Ards seemed to move up a gear or two.

’Stute keeper Corey Wilson had to make a super save to deny Ross Arthurs then Ryan Berry screwed a great chance inches past the ’Stute net when it looked easier to score.

Minutes later ex-Lisburn Distillery front man McConnell missed a golden chance to give his side the lead when with the goal empty his attempted back flick failed to hit the target.

The Waterside men, who knew they were fortunate to be still in the game as half-time was approaching, should have broken the deadlock somewhat against the run of play.

Left-winger Declan McKeever found himself in space just to the right of the Ards goal but he drove his close range shot against the legs of Ards keeper Graeme McKibbin.

Whatever Ards boss Niall Currie said to his players it worked as they took the lead on 48 minutes.

Berry’s free-kick found an unmarked Nixon and the skipper made no mistake. His powerful header from 10 yards flew past a helpless Wilson.

Soon after Wilson came to the visitors rescue this time he denied James Cully with a smart save, but there was nothing he could do just after the hour mark as the home side ended the game as a contest.

A poor clearance fell to Berry, who quick as a flash fed the ball to McConnell and the striker calmly rounded Wilson before side footing home into an empty net.

To their credit the Drumahoe club never threw in the towel and they pushed forward in search of a goal.

Ards keeper McKibbin had to do well twice to deny firstly Dean Jarvis and then Neil Harkin, before scrambling the ball clear after Dean Carlyle’s corner caused havoc in the home side’s box.

The final chance of the match came in stoppage time but McLaughlin’s close range header, which had McKibben beaten, came crashing back off the bar.

Ards: McKibben, D Cully, Spence, J Cully, Nixon; Picking, McIlhagga, Berry, Corry; McConnell, Arthurs. Subs: Devine for Corry (67); Young for Berry (76); Arthers for McConnell (86).

Institute: Wilson, Crown, McLaughlin, Curran, Jarvis; Carlyle, Harkin, Friars, McKeever; Parkhouse, Kelly. Subs: Roddy & Browne for Crown & McKeever (79); McCarron for Friars (83); Taylor & Walsh (not used).

Referee: Mr Cecil Floyd (Fermanagh).