FOOTBALL: Reading scout Linfield's Smyth in win over Ards

Linfield starlet Paul Smyth was out to impress - with a Reading scout watching the forward from the stands at the Bangor Fuels Arena - as the Blues recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Ards.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Aug 2017, 23:38 BST
Updated 12th Sep 2017, 11:11 BST
Mark Haughey celebrates finding the net for Linfield against Ards. Pic by Pacemaker.Mark Haughey celebrates finding the net for Linfield against Ards. Pic by Pacemaker.
Mark Haughey celebrates finding the net for Linfield against Ards. Pic by Pacemaker.

While Smyth is very much the man of the moment, it was Mark Haughey and Kirk Millar who scored the first-half goals in an assured victory for the defending champions.

The victory continued Linfield’s solid if unspectacular start to the new Danske Bank Premiership season.

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In the 19th minute, Millar hung up a dangerous free-kick towards the back post that the Ards defence proved unable to deal with - with Linfield taking full advantage to break the deadlock.

Defender Haughey made the most of the opportunity by controlling the ball on his chest before drilling it into the net from the angle of the six-yard box.

In the 29th minute, Smyth managed to use his pace to burn past Gregg Hall on the left flank before picking out Millar with a teasing cross from the byline.

The former Oldham Athletic man powered his header past Ards goalkeeper Aaron Hogg from around the eight-yard mark.

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Ards were unable to find a way back into the game, with Hogg keeping the score down with a number of key saves.

Ards: Hogg, Hall, Taylor, Byers, McMillen, Frazer, Davidson, Cherry, Hanley (McLellan, 72), McAllister. Keke.

Subs (Not Used): Kelly, Liggett, McAleenan, McComb.

Linfield: Carroll, Casement, Stafford, Haughey, Quinn, Mitchell, Mulgrew, Garrett, J.Stewart (Burns, 74), Smyth, Millar (C.Stewart, 86).

Subs (Not Used): M.Clarke, Lowry, Robinson.

Referee: Tim Marshall.

Related topics:Kirk MillarReadingBlues