A Stephen Galbraith hat-trick secured all three points for Downpatrick in the local derby against Ardglass, click on the link to find out how he scored his goals…

Saturday 24th September – NAFL Premier Division

Ardglass FC 0 v Downpatrick FC 4

A game played in atrocious conditions with the wind howling and the driving rain, it was Downpatrick who settled quickest and they raced into a two goal lead inside the opening twenty minutes. Downpatrick played with the wind behind them in the first half and exploited Ardglass’ failure to deal with conditions.

On fifteen minutes left back Blaine Connolly began a move as he passed the ball into midfield to Barry Holland, the experienced midfielder switched the play out to the right wing to Barry Treacy. The Downpatrick winger cut inside and hit in an in-swinging cross with his left foot which the Ardglass goal keeper failed to deal with and Stephen Galbraith was in the right spot to tap the ball in. Two minutes later it was two nil, again Holland picked the ball up in midfield and passed to his midfield partner Andy Baggley. Baggley spotted the run of striker Philip Traynor and threaded through a superb pass, the Ardglass keeper looked to have won the race to the ball but Traynor was braver in the tackle and poked the ball home.

Five minutes before half time Galbraith scored his second goal of the game from the penalty spot. Youngster Jack McLaughlin went on a solo run in the Ardglass box beating three men before being taken down just as he was about to shoot giving the referee no option to point to the spot. Galbraith placed the ball on the spot and drilled the ball home into the back of the net.

Half Time: Ardglass FC 0 v Downpatrick FC 3

In the second half Downpatrick were able to sit a bit deeper and let Ardglass have the ball in front of them without them causing the defence of Neil Taggart, Blaine Connolly, Matthew Carson and goalie Michael McKenna to many problems. Downpatrick’s front six of Treacy, Baggley, Holland, Aaron McGarry, Galbraith and Traynor always looked dangerous when they had the ball.

It was surprising that the fourth goal didn’t come until two minutes before the full time whistle, substitute Conor McCarron was involved as he played the ball out to Treacy. Treacy played in the perfect ball and Galbraith completed his hat-trick by sliding the ball into the net out of the Ardglass goal keepers reach.

Downpatrick: 1) M McKenna 2) N Taggart 3) B Connolly 4) M Carson 5) B Holland 6) A Baggley 7) B Treacy 8) J McLaughlin 9) P Traynor 10) S Galbraith 11) A McGarry 12) M Holland 14) C McCarron 15) A McCoubrey