Ants head over heels as Kelly Hat-trick sinks Gartcairn

The Ants got 2017 off to a flying start with a fine 3-1 win away to Gartcairn at MTC Park. The match started with both teams getting a feel for the ball in their first competitive games since the winter break and shaking off the rustiness. Gartcairn were first to create a chance but Ants player co-manager Ronnie McDonald got in a great block as Love was about to shoot then the Ants had their opening salvo’s at goal but first Maxwell’s shot was blocked by Eadie and from the resultant corner the ball got stuck under Kelly’s feet and was cleared to safety. A nice move down the left hand side saw Gartcairn’s Henderson work the ball again to Love but as with his earlier effort McDonald got in a good block and the chance was gone. The Gartcairn striker was getting into some dangerous positions and after 22 minutes almost opened the scoring only to see Campbell save well with his legs.

In the 31st minute Gartcairn thought they had taken the lead, a corner from the right was tipped out of play by Campbell and from the resultant corner Gartcairn fired home only for their celebrations to be cut short by Mr Burns’ whistle for a foul on the keeper. Gartcairn had been piling on the pressure with the Ants defending well but the Ants came out of the spell unscathed and almost took the lead 5 minutes later when Kelly was sent through on goal, he chose to pass to Maxwell who shot just wide of the post but maybe should have went for goal himself.

The same two Ants players were involved in another great chance when McDonald set Kelly up with a great through ball that had the ‘Cairn keeper scampering to the edge of his box to clear with Kelly challenging for the ball, the ball broke to Maxwell who tried to curl the ball into the net only to see Grier save well with his leg. The Ants were starting to dominate for a spell themselves and captain Miller thought he had broken the deadlock only to see the outstretched hand of the home side’s goalie tip the ball onto the crossbar, then The Ants had a goal of their own disallowed when Miller’s shot was turned home by Maxwell who was deemed to be offside by the man in the middle. Jordon Love’s day was not getting any better infront of goal as he had the last chance of the half but his half volley was well turned over by Campbell in the Ants goal and the half finished goal-less.

The second half saw the Ants come flying out the traps and after only a minute of the half almost took the lead but Maxwell couldn’t get power into his header and it was easily held. The Ants took the lead in the 52nd minute, A ball through from Miller saw Maxwell put Marshall under pressure and his short back pass was intercepted by GRANT KELLY who rounded the keeper and fired home from an acute angle. Within 5 minutes it was 2-0, McDonald intercepted a clearance and played a one two with Crawford before slipping GRANT KELLY through on goal, this time the Ants hitman showed great composure selling the keeper a stepover and then knocking the ball into the empty net.

Gartcairn almost pulled a goal back straight from Kick Off but Chris Dolan’s knockdown to O’Donnell saw Ants keeper Campbell make a great save down to his left and the ball was cleared. The Ants had the taste for goals now and on the 61st minute they had went 3-0 ahead. McDonald picking up his second assist of the match with a great slide rule pass through to that man GRANT KELLY who once again rounded Grier and rolled the ball home sending the Ants fans into raptures although the execution on his celebration left a bit to be desired.

It looked like game set and match but the nerves kicked in on the 69th minute when Gartcairn were awarded a penalty after McDonald was judged to have fouled a Gartcairn forward, It looked harsh as he seemed to have played the ball but the Man in the Middle had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. JORDON LOVE stepped up to take the spot kick and this time made no mistake despite Campbell going the right way to reduce the deficit to 3-1. Campbell and Love continued their duel with the striker seeing a free kick well saved by the Ants number 1 as Gartcairn went hell for leather for another goal to reduce the deficit. Despite having most of the possession for the remainder of the match the Ants defended resolutely and looked dangerous on the break. With two minutes to go Kelly almost scored his and the Ants fourth but his lob attempt lacked the power and was slapped out of play by the Gartcairn goalkeeper and the chance was gone.

Ants Website Man of the Match – Grant Kelly