Downpatrick first teams pursuit of promotion is halted at home by title rivals Crumlin United, click on the link below to find out how…
Saturday 28th March – NAFL Division 1A
Downpatrick FC 2 v Crumlin United 3
Downpatrick produced a poor defensive display at home on Saturday on a difficult pitch and in blustery conditions. Missing a number of regulars the team had to be reshuffled but this can’t be used as an excuse for the defeat.
In the opening ten minutes Downpatrick could have went in front when strike partners Eoin Boyle and Andrew Telford combined with Telford having the shot which was well saved by the visiting keeper. Five minutes later Telford had to be replaced due to injury.
Soon after Crumlin opened the scoring, Downpatrick lost the ball near the half way line and Crumlin quickly broke towards the Downpatrick nets. The ball was played out wide before a cross came into the box, the Downpatrick defence had several chances to clear but failed to. The ball eventually fell to the Crumlin striker at the back post and he made no mistake.
Downpatrick equalised five minutes later with an opportunist strike from winger Christian Holland. He collected the ball out wide and with the help of the elements he curled a strike from 40 yards into the top corner giving the Crumlin United goal keeper no chance. The joy was short lived when Crumlin regained the lead with another poor goal to concede from Downpatrick’s point of view. The defence hesitated and failed to clear the ball when they had a chance allowing Crumlin to score.
Half Time: Downpatrick FC 1 v Crumlin United 2
A stern team talk at half time seemed to have the desired affect with Downpatrick coming out in determined mood for the second half. Within ten minutes of the restart Downpatrick were back on level terms. Midfielder Barry Treacy played through Boyle who played the ball round the keeper only for the Crumlin custodian to take him down. Boyle dusted himself down and placed the ball on the spot only to see his spot kick saved but Aaron McGarry was on hand to poke the rebound into the net.
Both teams set about looking for the winner in the final half hour and it was Crumlin who managed to get their noses in front. From Downpatrick’s point of view it was another goal which they should have cleared but failed to do so. Michael McKenna saved a Crumlin shot but in doing so pushed the ball into the path of the Crumlin striker to tap into the net.
A disappointing day for the whole team who will need to dust themselves down and move on with their promotion push quite quickly if they want to get back to the Premier League.
Downpatrick: 1) M McKenna 2) T Bell 3) C McDowell 4) B Connolly 5) M Holland 6) N Walsh 7) A McGarry 8) B Treacy 9) E Boyle 10) A Telford 11) C Holland 12) C McCarron 14) A McCoubrey 15) J Glennon