ARDS 1 CITY 5
Friendly
23rd July 1993
Attendance ???
Scorers
City Quinn(3 & 9), McMahon(29 & 52), Sheron(43)
Ards McGaughey(27)
City Coton, Hill, Phelan, McMahon, Curle, Vonk, White, Sheron, Quinn, Flitcroft, Holden- used subs Dibble, I Brightwell, Quigley, Reid(86), Lomas, Simpson
MATCH REPORT FROM IRELAND’S SATURDAY NIGHT 24TH JULY 1993
The biggest cheer last night at Castlereagh Park was reserved for Manchester City player-manager Peter Reid who came on as substitute four minutes from the end of this show-piece friendly.
“These days that’s about all I can manage,” joked the veteran midfielder, who always enjoys coming over to Northern Ireland.
Reid’s multi-million pound visitors were two goals up in just nine minutes, effectively killing off the Ards challenge before it even began.
Republic of Ireland giant Niall Quinn had caused the damage with a precise side foot finish from 16 yards for the third minute opener, and then a typical glancing header from a Garry Flitcroft cross made it two.
Ards, though, came back into the picture in the 27th minute with a stunning 30 yard shot from ex Linfield scoring ace Martin McGaughey giving English international Tony Coton no chance.
Two minutes after that sole Ards’ strike the visitors went 3-1 ahead as Quinn held up a Rick Holden cross from the left and then made it easy for experienced midfielder Steve McMahon to finish clinically.
Home keeper Stephen Vance allowed a speculative 35 yard shot from Mike Sheron to slip through his hands minutes before the interval for the visitor’s fourth, and seven minutes into the new half McMahon completed the scoring with a fine solo effort.