Category: Match Reports

Team Captain Mooch extends Ants stay

Ants newly appointed team captain, player and joint players player of the year Chris “Mooch” McLaughlin has officially extended his McKenna park stay by putting pen to paper on a deal to lead the players on the park next season. John Kelly is delighted to have him back on board “When Mooch found out I was taking over at the Ants he was the 1st player who wanted to extend his stay at McKenna Park. He had offers from other clubs but he has shown tremendous loyalty staying put and it is a big statement made by the club re-signing him. His leadership skills are excellent and thats why I made him team captain”

Last Gasp Gamba seals 3 points for 10 man Ants.

A Ralph Gamba strike in the 90th minute gave the Ants all three points in the match-up between second and third in the league, an outcome that seemed unlikely when Ashfield equalised with four minutes to go against the 10 men of the Ants who had seen Chris McLaughlin sent off for a second booking.

The Ants made a couple of changes to the side that saw off Annbank with Tony Curran coming in for his second start of the season at the expense of Sean Patrick and Michael Milarvie took the place of Ross McDougall who got injured in the warm up, himself having being brought into the side to replace David Donnelly.

The first half finished goalless with Ashfield having the better of the chances and a strong claim for a penalty waived away but it was the Ants who started the second period the brighter and they took the lead in the 66th minute. CHRIS MCLAUGHLIN beat Moulangou to the ball in a 50-50 and then ran towards the Ashfield goal before unleashing a dipping shot which flew past Catterson from fully 30 yards and nestled into the right hand corner of the net.

Ashfield took advantage of McLaughlin’s red card in the 86th minute when a throw in eventually found it’s way to JOSH BOYD at the end of the Ants box and his deflected shot found the back of the net. Earlier in the season the Ants had beaten Ashfield with a winner in the 5th minute of injury time when Anton Conway fired in from a throw in and lightening was to strike again however this time it was RALPH GAMBA who was the hero for the Ants. Andy Scanlan found Brian Henderson from a quick throw in and he put in a cross from the byline which found Gamba a yard out and he fired the ball into the net to send the Ants fans wild.

A fine win which showed the fighting spirit of the team and they will hopefully extend their winning streak to three in a row when Carluke come to town next week.

Saint Anthony’s FC
1Tony Curran Goalkeeper
2Graeme Crawford Defender
3Anthony Dempsey Defender 50'
14Michael Milarvie 15 Defender
5James Ross Defender
6Anton Conway Defender
7Ralph Gamba Defender 90'
8Chris McLaughlin Midfielder 66'
44'
78'
9Chris Gordon 16 Forward 78'
10Grant Kelly 12 Forward
11Mark McManus Midfielder
12Brian Henderson 10 Forward
15Andy Scanlan 14 Defender
16Ronnie McDonald 9 Defender
4Ross McDougall Defender

Ashfield
1James Catterson Goalkeeper
2Jordan Lynch 12
3Joshua Boyd 86'
4Gordon Passmore 92'
5Paul Maxwell
6John Gaynor 51'
7Chris Moulangou 58'
8Billy Stevenson 14
9Joel Kasabundi
10Ciaran Friel
11Keigan Parker 15
12Alan Cairns 2
14Ross Hamilton 8
15Barry Tulloch 11
16Paul O’Brien Defender

Ants in Denny delight as Dunipace defeated

The Ants have always traditionally struggled at Westfield Park, however a Chris Gordon double after Graeme Crawford opened the scoring meant that they left Denny with all three points and stayed at the top of the Division 2 pile for another week.

The Ants opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, Chris Gordon broke free and ran at the ‘Pace defence who backed off, before an attempted tackle saw the ball head towards the byline, but credit to the Ants top scorer he showed great desire to reach the ball before it went out and crossed to find GRAEME CRAWFORD at the back post who gave Robertson no chance with a fine volley from six yards. The Ants didn’t waste much time in adding to their tally when in the 31st minute they went 2-0 in front. A McLaughlin corner found Boyle at the back post and the debutants shot was turned into the net by CHRIS GORDON much to the delight of the visiting Ants fans and committee.

Right on the stroke of half time they dealt the home side what proved to be a fatal blow when Robertson failed to deal with a McLaughlin free kick, Donnelly knocked it to the back post where Boyle picked it up and his cross was knocked into the goal by CHRIS GORDON for his second and the Ants third of the match.

The second half saw the Ants play on the break for the most part protecting their three goal advantage however you could have forgiven the Ants fans for getting a little nervy when CALLUM HEEPS reduced the deficit to two goals when he fired past Patrick from just outside the box. The Ants defended well though and Patrick remained relatively untested for the remainder of the half for the Ants to run out 3-1 winners.

Ants Website Man of the Match – ANTHONY DEMPSEY

Dunipace
1Sean Robertson
2Greg McPherson
3Grant Howarth
4Gregor Dryden
5Barry Rodger
6Ross Balmer 15 45'
7Joshua Gracie
8Aidan Stevenson 14
9Callum Heeps 66'
10Dominic McGrandles 37'
11Sean McLaughlin 12
12Robbie Sinclair 11 90'
14Daniel Murphy 8
15Adam Beirne 6
16Scott Lochhead
17Craig Cowan

Saint Anthony’s FC
2Ralph Gamba Defender
3Anthony Dempsey 16 Defender 53'
4David Donnelly Defender
5James Ross Defender
6Anton Conway Defender
7Graeme Crawford Defender 26'
8Chris McLaughlin Midfielder
9Chris Gordon Forward 31', 45'
10Brian Henderson 15 Forward
11Mark McManus Midfielder
12Ross McDougall Defender
14Michael Milarvie 15 Defender 85'
15Jamie Boyle 14
16Andy Scanlan 3 Defender
18Tony Curran Goalkeeper

Ants march on as Carluke conquered

The Ants made it four games unbeaten in the league yesterday at the John Cumming stadium with a fine 3-1 vAntictory against Carluke. JONNY STEPHEN opened the scoring after 7 minutes before IAN WATT equalised for the home side, but CHRIS GORDON put the Ants back in front after 28 minutes then sealed the points from the spot after 84 minutes.

Ants Website Man of the Match – Anthony Dempsey

Carluke Rovers
1David Thomson 44'
2John Renwick
3Gary Gow
4Chris Lambie
5Ali El-Zubaidi
6Mark Haddow 36'
7Mark Weir 12
8Greg Kane 15 56'
9Sam Biggart 14
10Ian Watt 21'
81'
11Mark Cassidy
12Callum Neill 7
14Edward Haley 9
15Charles McCole 8
16Reece Lowdon
17Scott Blacklaw

Saint Anthony’s FC
2Graeme Crawford Defender
3Anthony Dempsey Defender
4David Donnelly Defender
5Ross McDougall Defender
6Anton Conway Defender
7Ralph Gamba 15 Defender
8Chris McLaughlin Midfielder
9Jonathan Stephen 14 Forward 7'
10Chris Gordon Forward 21', 84'
11Kieran Donaghy 17 Midfielder
12Maxi Neossi Midfielder
14Andy Scanlan 9 Defender
15Michael Milarvie 7 Defender
16Adam Dougan Defender
17Michael Archer 11

Rockburn rockin when the Ants came knockin

The Ants ran out 4-1 winners at Rockburn Park today.Debutant Jonny Stephen opened the scoring after 22 minutes with Paul Brennan equalising after 37 minutes but second half goals from Mark McManus (62), Chris Gordon (67) and Chris McLaughlin (83) gave the Ants a deserved victory and took them Fourth top.

Ants Website Man of the Match – Chris Gordon.

Bellshill Athletic
1Christopher Fitzpatrick
2Kieran Chalmers
3Jordan Jeffrey
4Scott Simon
5David Shaw
6Lee Brown 14
7Jamie Stewart
8Dominic Febers 12 56'
9Paul Brennan 16 39'
10Lee Nichol 76'
11Richard Kane
12Steven Peat 8
14Robert O’Donnell 6
15Darren Simpson
16Jonathan Reynolds 9
18Jordan Brand

Saint Anthony’s FC
2Adam Dougan 17 Defender
3Anthony Dempsey Defender
4Anton Conway Defender
5Ross McDougall Defender
6Ronnie McDonald Defender 17'
7Ralph Gamba Defender
8Chris McLaughlin Midfielder 83'
9Chris Gordon 12 Forward 67'
10Jonathan Stephen 15 Forward 22'
11Mark McManus Midfielder 62'
12Kieran Donaghy 9 Midfielder 91'
14Graeme Crawford Defender
15Jack Heron 10 Forward
16Michael Milarvie Defender
17Maxi Neossi 2 Midfielder 64'

Ants unbeaten run down the river as Vale of Clyde hit four

The Ants unbeaten run was ended by Vale of Clyde as debutant Darren Miller grabbed a hat-trick to bring the three match winning streak to a halt at a rainy Fullerton Park. The Ants made a few changes from the side that beat Dunipace, with Adam Dougan coming in for Ross McDougall, debutant loanee Anthony Dempsey replaced Andy Scanlan, Graeme Crawford was preferred to Dean McKay on the right and Chris Gordon replaced Wullie Duncan as he struggled to shake off a knock and was deemed only fit enough to start from the bench.

The game flowed from end to end almost as soon as Mr Craig got the match underway with Gordon firing over from the 15 yards with only three minutes on the clock, then two minutes later Miller fired in a dangerous free kick from the right but Chisholm was inches away from getting on the edge of it. Despite the wet weather both teams were trying to knock the ball about and a great through ball by Clark saw Turner spin the ball away from Gamba who then tried to block the front man’s cross only to catch the Vale striker before the ball and Mr Craig pointed to the spot with 8 minutes on the clock. DARREN MILLER stepped up and dispatched the penalty past Patrick to put the Tin Pail 1-0 up. Ten minutes later and the Vale doubled their lead when LEWIS MAITLAND sent a looping header over Patrick, the ball looked to be going well over but dipped at the last minute and into the net for 2-0.

Credit to the Ants they didn’t let the heads go down and kept trying to find a way back into the match and McLaughlin was unlucky when he robbed Turner in the middle of the park, and ran towards goal, unleashing a 25 yard strike but the ball struck a Vale defender, despite protests from the Ants man who claimed a handball, and went past the post for a corner which came to nothing. Patrick had to be quick off his line when a McCue long ball sent Maitland through on goal but the Ants keeper won the race and put the ball out for a throw in.  Vale of Clyde looked dangerous on the break and almost added a third two minutes later when Miller unselfishly squared the ball for Maitland but a fantastic tackle by Gamba prevented the number 9 from his second of the match. Milarvie then went close as a McLean free kick found the winger at the back post but the Ants man failed to hit the target and the chance was gone.

With ten minutes on the clock till half time the Ants had a great chance to pull a goal back. Crawford headed the ball clear to McLaughlin and the Ants midfielder threaded a great ball through to Gordon who sprinted up the wing and into the box, he squared it to Heron who looked certain to score but the striker looked on in horror as the ball rebounded off his standing foot and the Ants remained goal-less.  This was the Ants best spell of the half and McLaughlin then his midfield companion McLean both saw efforts from the edge of the box go just wide and the ref called time on the half with no further scoring.

HALF TIME VALE OF CLYDE 2 (Miller 8 (pen) Maitland 18) v 0 ANTS)

The Ants had the first chance of the second half when McLaughlin’s free kick was flicked towards goal by Gordon but the Ants striker’s effort went inches over the bar with the half only two minutes old then Maitland swung a ball towards McCue at the back post but the Vale winger was stretching and didn’t connect properly with the ball and it went wide. Miller in the middle of the park for Vale of Clyde was now starting to dictate the play and he sent McCue through on goal but the winger didn’t get his shot on target from a wide angle much to the relief of the soggy travelling Ants support. Their hearts were in their mouths again, this time when Clark was on his toes at a quick corner flighted in but he couldn’t direct his shot goalwards then a slack passback sent Maitland through on goal but Patrick did well to put the striker off and he over-ran the ball out for a goal kick. With 59 minutes on the clock a fine move between Miller and Turner saw the former force Patrick into a fine save low to his left.

The Ants were unlucky not to pull a goal back in the 68th minute when Crawford sent Gordon racing through on goal, but as he went to turn Chisholm the defender got a good tackle in to nick the ball away. Gamba then linked up well with Heron but his turn and shot was held by Scott. With 18 minutes on the clock the Ref awarded Vale of Clyde a free kick much to the surprise of pretty much everyone in the ground when McLaughlin appeared to be the meat in a tin pail sandwich but somehow the ref deemed he had committed the foul and the decision almost cost the Ants dearly with only a great one handed save by Patrick thwarting Miller from 22 yards. The Ants were still trying to pull a goal back and almost got lucky with 15 minutes remaining. Gordon’s long diagonal found Heron who almost caught Scott out with a cross-cum-shot from a tight angle but the keeper managed to get a hand to it to push it over the bar. The keeper got lucky again from the resultant corner when he appeared to fumble under pressure from Heron and the ball fell to Conway but there was a blue wall of defenders infront of him preventing him from getting any kind of decent shot away and the ball was cleared.

Still played raged from end to end, Hogan firing wide for the home side, then McLaughlin inches away from reducing the deficit for the Ants when Duncan found him inside the box but his shot went just wide of the post with Scott routed to the spot. Miller then fired a free kick just past Patrick’s post and it remained 2-0. In the 84th minute that all changed, Miller beat Dougan to the ball down the right and cut inside the Ants defender, who got back across to cover as Miller played a 1-2 with Ndlovu, Dougan made a great sliding tackle to disposses the Vale number 8 only for the ball to fall to Turner, Already on the deck Dougan threw himself infront of the ball to block the shot and the ball hit his arm. Referee Craig pointed straight to the spot and to rub salt into the wounds then showed Dougan a straight red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity which seemed a little harsh. DARREN MILLER stepped up and although Patrick went the right way this time he couldn’t keep the spot kick out and it 3-0. A minute into injury time the Vale put the cherry on the cake when Turner dispossessed Conway at the edge of his own box, and slipped the ball to DARREN MILLER as Patrick advanced, who tapped the ball into the empty net to make it 4-0.

FULL TIME  VALE OF CLYDE 4 (Miller 8 (Pen), 84 (Pen), 91, Maitland 18) v 0 ANTS

Ants Website Man of the Match – Chris McLaughlin. The midfielder was involved in most of the Ants attacking moves, which just gets him the nod.

A scoreline that didnt really reflect the match although the Vale were well worthy of their win. The Ants will be looking for a better showing on the 23rd as Lanark visit McKenna Park fresh from a fine 2-1 home win v Carluke so here’s hoping we can bounce back.

Vale of Clyde
1Donald Scott
2Alan Clark
3Iain Chisholm
4Christopher Campbell
5Anthony Griffiths 17
6Thomas Porter
7Darren Hogan
8Darren Miller 8', 84', 91'
9Lewis Maitland 12 18'
10Kevin Turner Forward
11John McCue 16 54'
12Njabulo Ndlovu 9 Midfielder
14Paul Ross
15Christopher Byrne
16Conor McGregor 11
17Lee Morrison 5

Saint Anthony’s FC
2Ralph Gamba 15 Defender
3Anthony Dempsey Defender
4Anton Conway Defender
5Adam Dougan Defender 84'
6Darren McLean Midfielder
7Graeme Crawford 14 Defender
8Chris McLaughlin Midfielder 20'
9Jack Heron 12 Forward
10Chris Gordon Forward
11Michael Milarvie Defender
12Craig Smith 9 Midfielder
14William Duncan 7 Forward
15Dean McKay 2 Midfielder
16Ronnie McDonald Defender
17Scott Perry Goalkeeper

 

3 in a row for Ants as winning run continues

The Ants made it 3 wins in a row after a fine 2-0 win as Dunipace visited McKenna Park on Saturday. We had to shuffle the pack once again as injuries and holidays forced the management into more changes following the last minute win away to Ashfield, Ross McDougall came in for Donnelly, Andy Scanlan came back in to the side for McManus, Gamba replaced Adam Dougan and Dean McKay made his first league start of the season.

It was Dunipace who threatened first when McGrandles through ball found Hughes, The Ants defence claimed for offside but the ref ignored the pleas. Wallace was quick off his line to narrow the angle and force the ‘Pace striker wide, McPherson latched onto the ball and cut it back to the aforementioned Hughes but his shot was excellently blocked by McDougall and out for a corner, then Wallace did well to tip the resultant corner over the top of the bar. McKay and Heron linked up well moments later when the winger found Heron but his cross was nicked off the head of Duncan by Rodger.

The Ants were starting to gather a bit of momentum now and almost took the lead in the 12th minute, Conway won a header in the middle of the park and knocked the ball down to McLaughlin, his little flick through found MIlarvie who raced through on goal but his shot was saved down low by Robertson and cleared by Rodger who gathered the rebound before Duncan could latch on to the loose ball. The Ants were starting to control the game and looked the most likely to open the scoring and that turned out to be the case in the 22nd minute. McKay was bundled down right on the edge of the box and from the resultant free kick CHRIS MCLAUGHLIN grabbed his second goal in two games as he fired past Robertson to put the Ants into the lead. Despite their dominance the Ants almost found themselves clawed back onto level terms but Rodger put his header just past the post and the Ants faithful breathed a sigh of relief.

This close shave gave Dunipace a lift and they had their best spell of the match for the next five or so minutes trying to knock the ball about but only created one chance when Hughes fired over from a McPherson flick on. The home side then went close when Heron fired just over from the edge of the box then Duncan headed inches over the top. As half time approached Heron almost found Duncan after a good run down the left wing, he cut inside but his pass was intercepted by McGlinchie and cleared to safety. Right on half time Stephenson cut inside, his shot was partially blocked but found it’s way to Grant just outside the box but the ‘Pace full back fired over and the Ants went in a goal to the good at half time.

HALF TIME ANTS 1 v 0 DUNIPACE

The Ants came out in a bullish mood and were right onto the front foot, a flowing move down the right hand side saw Gamba’s cross into the box blocked for a corner, McLaughlin swung the ball in and found it’s way tot he back post but McLean couldn’t keep his shot down and it remained 1-0 to the Ants. McDougall then sent Duncan through on goal as he beat the offside trap to bear down on Robertson’s goal, but as he went to shoot Rodger made a great tackle to deny the Ants striker and the chance was gone. In the 67th minute the Ants finally doubled their lead. McLean stole the ball in the middle of the park and charged forward, then slipped the ball to Milarvie, his cross found JACK HERON who adjusted his body well to volley past Robertson and give the Ants a two goal cushon. Duncan then had the chance to put the result beyond any doubt when he did well to rob a ‘Pace defender and raced through on goal, he tried to round the keeper but got forced wide as he looked destined to score but did well to regainhis composure to square the ball to McLaughlin but he leant back slightly and his shot went over the bar and the chance was gone. Donaghy then played Gordon in on goal but he couldn’t get enough behind his shot to trouble Robertson then McLean dragged a shot past the post in the last minute.

FULL TIME ANTS 2 (McLaughlin 22, Heron 67) v 0 DUNIPACE

Saint Anthony’s FC
1Gavin Wallace Goalkeeper
2Ralph Gamba Defender
3Andy Scanlan Defender
4Anton Conway Defender
5Ross McDougall Defender
6Darren McLean Midfielder
7Dean McKay 15 Midfielder 58'
8Chris McLaughlin Midfielder 22'
9Jack Heron 12 Forward 66'
10Michael Milarvie 16 Defender
11William Duncan Forward
12Chris Gordon 9 Forward
14Craig Smith Midfielder
15Graeme Crawford 7 Defender
16Kieran Donaghy 10 Midfielder
17Adam Dougan Defender

Dunipace
1Sean Robertson
2David Grant
3Nicholas Taylor 12
4Gregor Dryden
5Barry Rodger
6Dominic McGrandles
15Aidan Stevenson 61'
8Mark McGlinchie
9Craig Hughes
10Greg McPherson 17
11Joshua Gracie
12Sean McLaughlin 3
14Daniel Murphy
18Michael Watson
17Gareth Alexander 10

Ants Website Man of the Match – Chris McLaughlin

Conway the last gasp hero for Ants

Anton Conway was the last minute hero as the Ants left it very late to take all three points in a close match at Saracen Park. Ashfield were first to really threaten and it was with a quick counter attack. McLaughlin’s corner was headed clear and Moulangou was sent through on goal but his shot was well held by Wallace who got down quickly to save. The Ants started to find their feet and almost got a lucky break when a mistake by Giblin gave the ball straight to Duncan, the ball stuck under his feet though and he did well to find Heron, who passed inside to McLaughlin, he took a touch before firing a shot goalwards that Quinn did well to save then he blocked from Duncan on the follow up.

Quinn then dealt poorly with a throw in back to him, getting hardly any distance on his kick clear and the ball fell to Heron who hit it first time from 20 yards but the Ants striker put too much height on it and fired over. Another poor Quinn kick out in the 24th minute led to the Ants first goal when his goal kick found Doyle but he was robbed of possession to McLean who passed to CHRIS MCLAUGHLIN, The Ants midfielder burst forward to the edge of the box then fired low past Quinn for his first competitive goal for the club. The Ants almost doubled their lead two minutes later when McLean’s long ball was knocked on by Heron to Duncan but Quinn made a great save with his boot to stop the Ants hitman from extending the visitors lead.

Ashfield started to settle from the disruption of the goal and Moulangou again caused problems in the Ants defence, a long ball from Giblin saw the front man get between Dougan and Donnelly but Wallace was quick off his line to narrow the angle and save with his legs and the chance was gone then the forward had claims for a penalty denied when he appeared to throw himself to the ground under the slightest contact from Dougan and the ref waved play on. Heron then had another great chance when McLean whipped a ball into the box but he couldn’t direct his header on target. The Ants front men were giving the Ashfield defence a torrid time and Heron again fired off a shot, this time from a Donnelly cut back but it lacked the power to cause Quinn any real trouble and the teams went in at half time with the Ants a goal up.

HALF TIME ASHFIELD 0 v 1 ANTS

The second half started in controversial fashion when Ashfield were awarded a spot kick when Moulangou again went down, this time as Donnelly stepped across the ball to shepherd it out for a goal kick and much to the amazement of the Ants fans, Mr Cousland pointed straight to the spot where BARRY TULLOCH made no mistake sending Wallace the wrong way to level the scores at.1-1. This seemed to take the Ants out of their stride and Ashfield started to enjoy the lions share of possession, Moulangou set up Tulloch but his shot from 12 yards didnt really trouble Wallace then the Ants keeper stood tall to beat away a Hashim Cole effort following a fine move by the home side. Cole then robbed McLean but his shot from 20 yards went just wide. The Ants started to come back into the game and McLaughlin almost grabbed his second of the match but his effort was matched with a quality save from Quinn who did well to get his hands to a dipping shot and push it over the bar.

Ashfield then had another penalty claim turned down when Moulangou went down in the box for the third time, this time as he tried to go past Donnelly but Mr Cousland this time judged that no infringement had taken place and waved play on. Quinn will have had nightmares about his kicking that night as another kick landed straight at an Ants man, McDougall found McKay and he slipped in Heron, but Quinn made another fine save to atone for the error and the scores remained level.

Time looked to be running out for either side to grab a winner, but in the 95th minute the Ants grabbed the chance with both hands. McLaughlin lined up a free kick from 30 yards and looked to have a strike on goal, his effort was blocked by the Ashfield wall and the ball went out for a throw in to the Ants. Crawford launched the ball into the box and Ants captain ANTON CONWAY rose highest in the box to flick the ball past Quinn who had been caught in no mans land and the ball found its way into the net sparking wild celebrations from the Ants players, management and fans.

FULL TIME – ASHFIELD 1 (Tulloch 48 Pen), v 2 Ants (McLaughlin 24, Conway 90+5)

Ants Website Man of Match – Purely for the last minute goal its gotta be Anton Conway!

Seventh Heaven for Ants as Duncan treble sinks Newmains

A Wullie Duncan hat-trick, alongside goals by David Donnelly, Chris Gordon, Conor Meechan and Jack Heron left the Ants fans in seventh heaven at the full time whistle as Doyle and McDonald’s side ran out 7-1 winners against a Newmains team, who to their credit kept fighting to the end despite the scoreline.

The Ants dominated from the first whistle and almost took the lead after only a minute but Milarvie was inches away from connecting with Gordon’s cross and Duncan couldn’t get any power behind his effort on the turn then McLaughlin set Duncan clean through on Orr but he was forced wide as he tried to round the keeper and Milarvie’s cross was blocked for a corner. From the corner the Ants took the lead when McLaughlin found the head of DAVID DONNELLY and the big centre half made it two in two in the league with a powerful downward header. Newmains then had their first effort on goal but McCreadie didn’t catch his shot right under pressure from Conway and Wallace held easily.

The Ants almost doubled their lead in the 13th minute when Wallace’s goal kick found on loan Darren McLean who fired a shot at goal but the onrushing Orr did well to block and the ball was booted upfield, Donnelly controlled the ball well and passed to Gamba, his first time pass let McLean get a great cross in but Duncan couldn’t keep his header down. Duncan then had another great chance when McLean knocked down a Gamba free kick but his attempted volley went wide. McLean then had a great chance to score but Orr produced a great one handed save to deny the debutant a goal. Duncan was causing the visitors all kinds of problems but couldn’t find a way past Orr. The two time Ants top goalscorer was not to be denied though and got his name on the scoresheet in the 17th minute. Conway’s through ball was only half cleared by the Newmains defence and Gordon headed the ball to Meechan who found WULLIE DUNCAN rushing in to slam the ball past Orr and double the Ants lead. In the 34th minute the Ants all but wrapped up the game, McManus sent a lovely ball forward for CHRIS GORDON to run onto and his quick thinking first time shot from fully 30 yards caught Orr out and bounced under the keepers perfunctory dive and into the empty net to make it 3-0. Right on the stroke of half time WULLIE DUNCAN grabbed his second and the Ants fourth when McLaughlin sent him through on goal, he beat Orr to the ball and headed home from 6 yards to send the Ants in 4-0 at the break.

The second half was a case of more of the same and with only 16 seconds on the clock it was 5-0. McLean sliding a neat pass through to CONOR Meechan and the flame haired midfielder sent Orr the wrong way to further increase the Ants lead with a fine finish. A minute later a long ball from Wallace sent McLean through but he couldn’t get his shot on target. Not that the Ants fans had to wait much longer on the sixth goal when WULLIE DUNCAN capitalised on Orr’s inability to hold a shot with a lovely finish for his hat-trick and the Ants sixth after only 50 minutes. Newmains almost grabbed a consolation after 62 minutes but Dillon McLaughlan’s effort hit the top of the crossbar and went over.

The Ants had maybe taken the foot off the gas a little, as is normal when your six goals to the good and a general malaise overcame them at times but they still posed a threat whenever they went forward and almost grabbed a seventh when Meechan’s long diagonal found Duncan unmarked at the back post, the striker then unselfishly tried to pass to Gordon but his pass was cut out and the chance was gone. McLaughlin then went close when he got on the end of a Meechan cross that had been partially cleared but he leant back slightly and fired over the bar. The Ants then had a strong penalty appeal turned down in the 72nd minute when sub Donaghy found Gordon in the box, he was scythed down by Howson from behind but much to the Ants strikers annoyance the man in the middle waved play on. Credit to Newmains they kept working hard and started to come into the game a little more when good work between McLaughlan and Anderson saw the latter have an effort at goal which drifted wide. In the 77th minute Newmains grabbed a consolation when a cross into the box by Fitzpatrick was headed into his own net by ADAM DOUGAN, to be fair it was a cracking finish that gave Wallace no chance, flying into the top corner.

The Ants seemed a bit more fired up by that and they regained their six goal advantage when Dougan atoned for his earlier own goal by setting up JACK HERON for his first league goal of the season with a drilled finish from the edge of the box in the 88th minute to put the lid on a 7 star performance making it 7-1 on the day.

Next up for the Ants is a trip to Saracen Park to face their old friends Ashfield, with Doyle and McDonald hoping they can pick up from where they left off this week.

Ants Website Man of the Match – A number of candidates could have got the nod but it’s got to be WULLIE DUNCAN for notching a hat-trick