Ardglass Too Hot To Handle For Strangford

Ardglass were too strong for Strangford at the match in The Meadow

Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,

Kitroom Cup qualifier, R11,

Venue: The Meadow, on Saturday 3rd May 2025,

Final Score: Ardglass FC 6 0 Strangford FC.

Ardglass set off on the front foot challenging the Strangford goal from the onset which became the dominant pattern of the match.

Aidan Watson was hot for Ardglass on the day and produced a well-earned hat-trick.

A poor clearance by the Strangford defence saw Aidan Watson swoop in and get possession and lob a shot over keeper Atorrasagati’s head into the top of the net to open the scoring for the home side on 5 minutes into the match writes Jim Masson.

Strangford fought back with a good move from Conal Fitsimons passing to Eoin Kelly but the Ardglass back line was taking no prisoners.

Shortly after, Ardglass Jack Fitzsimons passed to Sean Carr whose shot was just wide and hit the side net as was his volley a minute later from 30 yards.

Then Ardglass broke up-field again and again Watson hit the top of the net from a penalty for a hand ball given against Strangford in the 28th minute.

When the second half started, Sean Carr did not hang around and claimed a goal in the 48th minute when he received a cross from Karl O’Neill. he playe the ball close to the Strangford back line but pulled out and managed to find an angle to get the ball past Atorrosagasti with a well=placed shot.

Then just two minutes later the Strangford keeper ran out of his box and challenged Watson descending on the goal. The referee blew for a foul and Watson took the shot scoring his hat-trick.

Strangford kept battling against Ardglass and Conal Fitzsimons had a few close encounters near the Ardglass goal area but coulo not create his goal-scoring magic on this occasion.

Ardglass ploughed ahead and Caolan O’Shea hit one just over the top bar, but he eventually netted in the 75th minute when he received a pass through from O’Neill and slotted in comfortably with 15 minutes to go.

Then as Strangford were beyond the point of retrieving a result, Michael Magee after several unsuccessful efforts finally managed to score rounding off the score at 6-0 on 87 minutes.

It was not a good day at the office for Strangford who have played well this year. Their next match against Downpatrick will be a tester to get to the final.

The Ardglass back line were outstanding, and Aidan Watson’s hat-trick nailed it for the home side.

Ardglass, however, have won the Premier League and are the winners of the coveted Harry Clarke Cup, and they are looking for a third cup to do a treble – the Kitroom Cup.

Ardglass FC: 1 James Crangle (GK) 2 Michael Clarke 3 Malachy Crangle 4 Jordan Deegans 5 Sean Carr 6 Dara O’Shea 7 Caolan O’Shea 8 Reuben Ashe 9 Michael Magee (C) 10 Karl O’Neill 15 Aidan Watson. Subs: Pabhraig O’Shea 12 Jordan Finnegan 14 Corey Mahon.

Strangford FC: Mario Atorrasagasti (GK) 3 Cole McGouran 4 Thomas Fitzsimons 5 Fionn McFall 6 Luc Tolan 7 Shane Teggart 8 Jack Fitzsimons 9 Conal Fitzsimons 10 Eoin Kelly 11 James Johnston 14 Conal Black. Subs: 2 Jack Polly 12 Adam King 15 Corey McFall.