The under 16’s come away with a credible draw against the current league leaders but are disappointed not to get all three points, click on the link below to read more…
Saturday 14th March – Lisburn Invitational Junior League under 16’s
Downpatrick FC 1 v Lisburn Distillery 1
Downpatrick took on the league leaders and with better finishing and a few decisions going their way, they could have won this game comfortably. It was tense and tight in the opening stages of the game with few chances either way.
On 20 minutes the first real chance fell to Downpatrick, Callum Shields controlled the ball on the 18 yard line after a fine pass from James McAleenan and hit a fierce shot that the keeper was only to glad to push wide for a corner. On 32 minutes Lisburn were awarded a soft penalty with their player going over very easily. The same player dusted himself down to take the penalty giving Fintan Canavan no chance in the Downpatrick nets.
Just before half time Downpatrick drew level, a great move down the left with Caolan Bentham passing it to Callum Shields, he ghosted by the defender before having the presence of mind to square the ball for Nathan McShane to fire home. On the balance of the first half both sides deserved to go in on level terms.
Half Time: Downpatrick FC 1 v Lisburn Distillery 1
In the opening exchanges of the first half Downpatrick pushed forward keeping Lisburn penned into their own half and created a couple of half chances from Rory Anderson and Andy McCoubrey, but both players failed to capitalise. The Downpatrick defence worked hard limiting Distillery to no chances.
With 10 minutes remaining a long ball over the top from Ben Campbell saw McShane bearing down on goal only for him to slice wide. Two minutes later the same player had another chance and he tried to lob the keeper but again was unlucky not to connect right. In the dying minutes James McAleenan cut across goal line and was tripped but sportingly tried to stay on his feet to play the ball out for McCoubrey to blast wide.
Paul Moore, speaking straight after the game, said, “All credit to James he could have threw himself over to win a penalty for the team, but that’s not what we at Downpatrick do. Our coaches at Downpatrick are trying to teach the players to play the right way”.