A Kieron Maxwell double was enough for the Ants to see off league leaders Port Glasgow despite going a goal behind after only 5 minutes at McKenna Park. The visitors got off to a dream start with not only their first attack but the first attack of the game, Neossi’s header was only partially cleared to McGarrigle and the centre half played the ball out wide to McCormick, his cross into the box found the foot of BRADLEY ANDERSON who flicked the ball past debutant Campbell in the Ants goal. To their credit the Ants rallied well and cleared their heads to pretty much dominate the remainder of the half. The Ants almost equalised a miute later, Campbell was charged down as he tried to clear from a passback but regained control of the ball in his hands, he found Conway who’s through ball was meant for Duncan, only for the ball to be intercepted by McClement. The Port captain’s header was heavy though and he had to scamper back to clear off his own line. Maxwell then went close but his shot went just over.
The Ants kept up the pressure and Maxwell’s cross almost found Duncan but Dunn managed to clear eventually, then a fantastic ball from O’Hara found Kelly on the left, he beat his man then crossed to Duncan who was closed down quickly by Dunn in the Port goal, at the second attempt the Ants hitman beat the keeper but could only watch on as the crossbar stopped him levelling the scoring and Crawford couldn’t get enough power behind his effort from the rebound. Duncan again had a great chance to level in the 13th minute when neat interplay saw O’Brien find Kelly on the wing once more, again his cross found Duncan who tried to lob the ball over the keeper but there was just too much height and the ball drifted over.
The Ants grabbed their deserved equaliser in the 19th minute of the match with a well worked goal. Campbell’s kick out was flicked into the path of Maxwell who set Crawford free down the wing and his pin point cross was met by the head of KIERON MAXWELL to head home his second goal of the season and level the scoring, no less than the home side deserved at this stage. Kelly was causing all sorts of problems on the left and in the 24th minute a wonderful run almost led to a second goal but his pass to Duncan was a little too heavy and the chance was gone. The visitors had barely got out of their own half but in the 26th minute were unlucky not to take the lead against the run of play when Fancis went on his own little run before cutting the ball back to McGarrigle who’s shot was well blocked by O’Brien.
The Ants second goal finally came on the half hour mark. A Duncan free kick was blocked by the Undertaker’s wall and O’Hara’s follow up shot was deflected for a corner. From the resultant Crawford corner KIERON MAXWELL rose highest in the box to notch his and the Ants second goal of the game with a powerful header past Dunn to send the Ants fans into raptures. This seemed to jolt the Port into action and in the 34th minute McAfee shot just wide after a good turn and shot. The Port started to come into it more as the half came to a close, The Ants had the taste of blood though and were in the hunt for a killer third. Duncan once again came close after another fine Crawford cross but his header went inches over the bar then McAfee again fired over for the visitors and the half ended with the Ants leading 2-1.
After all the chances in the first half the Ants fans would have been forgiven for expecting more of the same in the second, and the Port fans hoping a managers rocket would see a reaction from their team, who hadn’t lost a league match till this point but the match almost seemed to stagnate with only half chances coming for both keepers rarely tested until the 63rd minute when Mr McKay pointed to the spot when Neossi was deemed to have fouled Johnstone, giving the Port a potential lifeline. McAfee stepped up but Campbell showed the Ants fans what he has in his locker with a great diving save, before getting up quickly enough to block McAfee at the second attempt. In the 78th minute Maxwell almost grabbed a hat-trick but his shot flew inches wide of the post. In the 90th minute Ants hearts were almost broken when McAfee once again went close but the ball flew across the Ants goalmouth and the full time whistle blew with the Ants back on track and the Port’s unbeaten run ended.
Ants Website Man of the Match – KIERON MAXWELL
Thoroughly enjoyed the game. Very entertaining first half