Downpatrick under 19’s secured a point against Portadown on Saturday despite finisging the game with 9 fit players, click on the link to read more…

Saturday 24th September – Lisburn Invitational Junior League under 19’s

Downpatrick FC 3 v Portadown FC 3

In absolutely appalling conditions both teams served up a very entertaining game, Downpatrick settled first and began to spray the ball round with confidence. The swirling wind made it difficult for both defences to judge the flight of the ball and made for plenty of goal scoring opportunities.

Downpatrick opened the scoring through a superb volley from Ben Jamison, the midfielder ran onto a pas from James Mahoney and hit his unstoppable shot from all of twenty five yards which flew like a rocket past the Portadown keeper. Downpatrick doubled their advantage mid way through the first half, midfielder Adrian McCoubrey played a through ball for striker Callum Shields to chase. The big striker got to the by-line before pulling the ball back for Sam Kinnear to tap into the net for two nil. Portadown pulled a goal back when the Downpatrick defence allowed their winger to break into the box and drill the ball low into the corner of the net.

Downpatrick restored their two goal advantage ten minutes before the break, Callum Shields was in the right place to slide home a John Hill cross in off the back post. Just before half time Portadown were awarded a dubious penalty when Ben Cullen was harshly penalised for fouling the Portadown winger. The Portadown striker made no mistake, drilling the ball past Ronan Holland to make it 3 – 2 to Downpatrick at half time.

In the second half Portadown pushed for an equaliser and before the hour mark their pressure finally paid off when one of the Portadown players hit a speculative shot from outside the box which skidded of the wet surface past the helpless Holland to make it three all. In the last twenty minutes Downpatrick went down to 9 men with one player injured and the other having to go to work, the Downpatrick players ran themselves into the ground and kept the Portadown attack at bay and saw the game out to secure a draw.