The Ants home league campaign got off to a poor start as they were roundly beaten by Johnstone Burgh 1-3 at McKenna Park on Wednesday night.
It all started so brightly for the Ants when after only two minutes on the clock they took the lead. Milne found Edwards from a free kick and his cross found FRASER WILLIAMS only 2 yards out to bundle the ball home to the delight of the McKenna Park faithful. Five minutes later though Burgh were level when JASON HARDIE sent a free kick through the Ants defensive wall and past the diving Patrick to level it up at 1-1. Both sides had a couple of half chances for the remainder of the half, but there was nothing of real note until the 43rd minute when The Ants had a great shout for a penalty knocked back by Ref Murdoch when Edwards was pulled back by Orr as he looked to bring down a ball over the top but much to the annoyance of those of an Ants persuasion no whistle blew and play continued
HALF TIME ANTS 1 (WILLIAMS 2) v 1 JOHNSTONE BURGH (HARDIE 7)
It was the visitors who came out in the second half looking more likely to take the lead as they started to take control of the game, with the Ants lacklustre both in and out of possession. A quick throw in on the 58 minute mark saw Marriott pass the ball back to ROBBIE MCCUTCHEON who’s cross was left by the Ants defence and keeper, who looked on in horror as the ball went in at the back post to make it 2-1 to the visitors. Leszczynski had an effort on the turn saved well by Collins but there looked only to be one winner, and when JASON HARDIE tapped home at the back post, strong suspicion of offside after Fyfe had flicked a long throw into his path, it was no less than the visitors deserved and put the game to bed as a contest
FULL TIME ANTS 1 (WILLIAMS 2) v 3 JOHNSTONE BURGH (HARDIE 7, 79 MCCUTCHEON 58)
Johnstone Burgh
