Downpatrick under 15’s lose against Lurgan Celtic playing some wonderful football but failing to convert all the chances they created, click on the link below to read more…
Saturday 21st November – Lisburn Invitational League under 15’s
Downpatrick FC 3 v Lurgan Celtic 5
Downpatrick started the game with a high tempo and for the first 10 minutes they had all of the possession but couldn’t find that all important first goal. Lurgan had a rare break which the Downpatrick defence dealt with but the clearance fell to the Lurgan winger who noticed the Downpatrick keeper of his line and he then lobbed Shane Campbell from all of 35 yards.
Straight from the restart Downpatrick had an eleven pass move which resulted in Kian Tierney heading home a Decky Looneys cross to level the match.Again Downpatrick were in total control, they were moving the ball around the pitch with a lot of confidence but yet again they were struggling to add to their lead and the Lurgan side had a bit of luck when they attacked, their striker shot at goal which was blocked by a Downpatrick defender and the looped into the back of the net giving Campbell no chance.
This didn’t deter Downpatrick as they continued to play their passing game and got their reward as Kyle McKeever dribbled round his man and laid the ball to Tierney who slotted the ball into the bottom right of the Lurgan goal. Downpatrick continued to press but couldn’t convert the chances that they created.
Half Time: Downpatrick FC 2 v Lurgan Celtic 2
Lurgan came out in the second half with more purpose and quickly forced the Downpatrick defence back, they also got a bit of luck when another deflected shot found its way into the back of the Downpatrick net. Downpatrick found themselves behind again, but to give the boys credit they continued playing their passing game, which created chances but with the Lurgan keeper in fine form they couldn’t level the game. In fact they were caught with another deflected effort which ended up in their own net.
Tom Smyth won a free around 35 yards out, he took it himself and hit a wonderful strike giving the Lurgan keeper no chance. As Downpatrick pressed for a leveller they were punished for some indecision in their defence and the ball fell to the Lurgan striker and he lobbed Campbell as he closed him down to double their advantage again.
Saturday’s result was harsh, but in terms of development this was an outstanding performance, with the amount of chances created and the way Downpatrick played out from defence is a credit to all the boys. Downpatrick’s first goal wouldn’t have looked out of place on any ground anywhere, to take the ball straight from the restart and move it from defence to the wing into midfield back out to the wing and then to score is one of the best team goals this group of players has scored.