Campbell takes over the reins at Ardstraw

STEPHEN Campbell has been appointed the new player-manager of Ardstraw FC until the end of the season – at least.

Campbell took over the reins following the departure of Nigel Boyd due to family commitments and will be assisted by Gary Simpson, the club’s previous manager, and Andrew Gailey.

The new man took charge of Saturday’s game at Newtowne and he is hoping to steady the ship from now until the end of the Northern Ireland Intermediate League and Challenge Cup campaigns.

Ardstraw’s recent struggles have been well documented and Campbell is hoping that his players can turn things around in the coming weeks and months.

“I’m delighted to have Gary and Andrew in along with me and hopefully between the three of us we can make it work,” he said.

“Gary has good experience at this level, has been at the club before and having him back on board for training one night a week is a big plus. Likewise Andrew, he’s been about the club and knows the set up well.

“We have agreed to take charge until the end of the season, what happens after that remains to be seen. I have told the club to look elsewhere. I feel a fresh face is needed and someone who can attract new players.

“Last season we had a good squad of 22 players and had to rotate things. We lost quite a few players for a number of different reasons but we are glad of the players who have stayed. Hopefully they’ll stick together.

“The focus for us to improve team performances from now until the end of the season and we’ll see what happens after that.”

Campbell was encouraged by his side’s display at Newtowne on Saturday but was ultimately left disappointed that his players didn’t take something from the game.

Brian Campbell gave the visitors the lead after good play by Conrad Kee but by the half hour mark the hosts were back on terms.

Ardstraw again took the lead just before the interval with Eamon McGrath ushering in Lee McCullagh to fire into the keeper’s bottom left hand corner.

And the visitors thought they should have had a penalty early in the second half when Brian Campbell was brought down.

The referee waved away those appeals and Newtowne went on to secure the win with two goals in the final 10 minutes.

The first was an own goal and the winner came after the visiting defence had left a player unmarked with time and space to rifle home.

“We felt aggrieved the penalty decision didn’t go our way,” continued Campbell.

“At that stage of the game that would have changed things. Had it gone 3-1 it would have been very difficult for Newtowne to get back in the game. But it wasn’t to be.

“I was happy enough with the work rate of the players and large parts of the performance. If anything our concentration levels need to improve.”