Downpatrick firsts returned to the top of the table with another impressive performance away to Rathfriland Rangers, click on the link below to read more…
Saturday 7th February – NAFL Division 1A
Rathfriland Rangers 1 – Downpatrick FC 5
Downpatrick travelled to bottom of the table Rathfriland and came away with three points after another impressive performance. Downpatrick didn’t give Rathfriland a chance to get into the game and were three nil up in the opening twenty minutes.
Downpatrick’s first goal was created down the right hand side with Terence Bell passing to winger Aaron McGarry, McGarry passed the ball into the feet of striker Andrew Telford, who played a lovely ball into the path of brother Peter who calmly slotted the ball past the Rathfriland keeper. Within two minutes Downpatrick doubled their lead, again the ball came down the right hand side to McGarry, and he brought the ball inside and played a lovely reverse pass into the box for Andrew Telford. Telford still had plenty to do, he controlled the ball be rounding the goalkeeper and side footing into the net.
Downpatrick’s third goal was the goal of the game – a complete team goal. Chris McDowell started the move off in the left back position, he passed into midfield for Peter Telford who switched the play with a sublime ball out to right back Bell. Terence Bell beat his man before passing to Man of the Match Aaron McGarry. McGarry played the ball down the line first time for Andrew Telford. Andrew Telford controlled the ball before sending over an inch perfect cross was met by Andy Baggley whose bullet like header went into the top corner.
Half Time: Rathfriland Rangers 0 v Downpatrick FC 3
Downpatrick controlled the second half much the same as they did in the first half and should have added to their tally long before the 70th minute but were guilty of wasting some great opportunities. Eoin Boyle scored Downpatrick’s fourth of the game after Christian Holland had played the ball into Andrew Telford and he laid the ball of for Boyle to strike from just inside the 18 yard box to give the goal keeper no chance.
Both Christopher McDowell and Holland combined on the left hand side before Christian Holland sent over a deep cross which was met at the back post by McGarry to score Downpatrick’s fifth of the game. Rathfriland scored a consolation goal with five minutes remaining, the Downpatrick defence were caught in possession and substitute Niall Walsh’s attempt to retrieve the ball resulted him in giving away a penalty. Downpatrick’s keeper Michael McKenna who was a bystander for most of the game had no chance with the penalty.
Downpatrick: 1) M McKenna 2) T Bell 3) C McDowell 4) M Curran 5) M Holland 6) A Baggley 7) A McGarry 8) P Telford 9) A Telford 10) E Boyle 11) C Holland 12) C McKenna 14) N Walsh 15) A McCoubrey