Downpatrick ran out comfortable winners in their Border Cup Quarter-Final match against a confident Barn United team on Saturday, click on the link below to read more…
Saturday 15th October – NAFL Border Cup Quarter-Final
Barn United 1 v Downpatrick FC 7
Downpatrick progressed to the semi-final of this year’s Border Cup with a comfortable victory at Haslett Park against Barn United. Despite the terrible rain earlier in the day the pitch was perfect and this suited Downpatrick’s fast flowing football.
Downpatrick were a goal to the good inside the opening ten minutes, a fast flowing move starting with a through ball from midfielder Andy Baggley found striker Philip Traynor who controlled the ball and laid it into the path of strike partner Stephen Galbraith. Galbraith took one touch and hit his shot which the Barn keeper could only parry into the path of winger Aaron McGarry who tapped the ball into the net.
Ten minutes before half time Downpatrick had goal keeper Michael McKenna to thank for keeping his side in front, the Barn striker was through one on one with the Downpatrick custodian but McKenna out foxed the striker when he stood up and calmly collected the Barn players attempted chip. Downpatrick went straight up the pitch and doubled their advantage, Barry Holland linked with Baggley who played in Jack McLaughlin down the wing. McLaughlin took on his marker and cut inside before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the back of the net. On the stroke of half time Downpatrick put the game out of sight of their hosts, Barry Treacy whipped in a corner which was met by Barry Holland to send his right footed volley high into the net.
Half Time: Barn United 0 v Downpatrick FC 3
Downpatrick’s pressure didn’t let up in the second half and it wasn’t long before they scored again, Neil Taggart played the ball out of defence to Treacy who instantly passed to McLaughlin. The youngster took on the left back and crossed the ball to the back post were Traynor was in the right place to volley the ball home. Stephen Galbraith got his name on the score sheet when he scored Downpatrick’s fifth of the game. Holland and Baggley combined to release Treacy who used his speed to reach the by-line before sending over the perfect cross for Galbraith to head home.
Substitute Ricky Kerr got in on the goal scoring act, McGarry cleared a Barn corner to Andy Baggley and he in turn passed to Traynor. The Downpatrick striker drove at the Barn defence before committing the centre half and passing to Kerr who timed his run to perfection, he took one touch and slid the ball past the advancing Barn keeper.
In the final few minutes Aaron McGarry scored his second of the game, Treacy again was the provider with a perfect cross for McGarry to head home. As the game entered stoppage time Downpatrick were dispossessed in midfield by Andy Waide and the Barn player hit a speculative shot form 40 yards which sailed over the head of McKenna for a consolation goal.
Downpatrick: 1) M McKenna 2) N Taggart 3) M Carson 4) J McLaughlin 5) M Holland 6) A Baggley 7) B Treacy 8) B Holland 9) P Traynor 10) S Galbraith 11) A McGarry 12) B Connolly 14) R Kerr 15) T McIlhone