Blow to Ardee's Premier hopes
KENTSTOWN boosted their hopes of forcing their way into the Division 1 promotion race and dealt a severe blow to Ardee's chances by taking all three points from this important league game on Sunday.
The home side flew out of the traps and took the lead with only 10 minutes on the clock after Ardee failed to clear a cross and their forward took advantage to slot home.
Ardee tried to hit back quickly, however, and their strong pressure paid off handsomely when Robbie Reynolds fired home a 30yard free kick.
And five minutes later Ciaran Carrie's high ball was fumbled by the home keeper and James Woods was on hand to put the visitors 2-1 in front.
However, with Ardee in control they were dealt a sucker blow just before half-time when the Kentstown centrehalf headed home from a free kick.
The second half started with both sides evenly matched, but with the game finely balanced a mistake by the visitors handed possession to Kentstown which resulted in Ardee goalkeeper Mark Reynolds upending their forward for a penalty kick.
David Doyle converted the penalty to put Kentstown 3-2 ahead, and although Ardee piled on the pressure and had some good opportunities to equalise, a combination of poor finishing and some resolute defending kept them at bay.
Their chances of snatching another goal receded signficantly when they had two players sent off in the last 15 minutes.
As they piled forward in a search for what would have been an unlikely equaliser, the inevitable happened as Kentstown caught them on the break and made it 4-2 after a mix-up in the Ardee defence. ARDEE CELTIC: Mark Reynolds, James Woods, Ciaran Carrie, Conor Lynch, Robbie Mckeever (Richie Taaffe), Eddie Burke (Niall Taaffe), Paul Carrie, John Bingham, Robbie Reynolds, Podge Mcardle (Darren Mcenaney), Lorcan Myles. Sub not used: Robbie Coyle.
