IN PICTURES: Ards prove too strong for Comrades

BALLYCLARE Comrades' inexperience was greatly exposed by an accomplished Ards outfit at Dixon Park on Saturday.

At half-time, with only one goal in it, there was little hint of the 5-0 drubbing that was in store, but the experience of Tommy Kincaid's outfit showed in the second session.

"We were beaten fair and square by a better team on the day," admitted manager Gordon Chambers. "After we conceded two quick goals in the second half heads dropped and it exposed our inexperience; instead of knuckling down and digging in some of our young lads lost the plot.

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"Conceding five goals immediately asks questions of the defence, but really our problems emanated from Ards' domination in midfield. I reckon that Ards, with experience all over the park, are one of the strongest teams in the league, and on this occasion we didn't match up.

"We will have to regroup and prepare for the visit of Ballymoney United this weekend. They are coming straight from a win against Donegal Celtic, so the lads will have to prepare mentally as well as physically.

"We will be without Stevie McDowell, Lee Rushe and Stuart Galbraith all under suspension, while utility defender Ricky Lecky has followed Keith Armstrong to Australia, but on the positive side Ronnie Burns should be available after injury," ended Gordon.

See match report in this week's Newtownabbey Times