Downpatrick suffered defeat in the cruellest of fashions at the hands of visitors Malachians, click on the link to read more…
Saturday 9th September – NAFL Premier Division
Downpatrick FC 3 v Malachians FC 4
After the disappointment of last week’s Border Cup match being called off, Downpatrick were looking forward to getting some match time when they welcomed Malachians to Rosconnor. Again Downpatrick had to reshuffle with a number of players being unavailable and this unfortunately affected the overall performance.
Downpatrick started the game brightly and were looking dangerous going forward but in the opening 25 minutes they conceded three goals and were staring at an uphill task of getting anything out of the game. The players and management were shell shocked as this was against the run of play.
In the final ten minutes of the half Downpatrick pulled a goal back, great work down the left hand side of the pitch between Christian Holland, Aaron McGarry and Jack McLaughlin saw the ball crossed into the box. Philip Traynor was in the right place and from the penalty spot hit a low shot which nestled in the bottom left hand corner of the net to off the Downpatrick management and supporters a glimmer of hope.
Two minutes later Downpatrick could sense a real opportunity of getting back into the game when they pulled another goal back. Conor McKenna worked the ball well with Christian Holland before he played the ball to striker Conor McCarron inside the visitor’s box. The tall striker laid the ball back to the edge of the box for Aaron McGarry and his first time shot was only parried into the net by the Malachians keeper.
Half Time: Downpatrick FC 2 v Malachians FC 3
A change at half time saw Andrew Telford replace McCarron and his direct running started to cause the Malachians defence all sorts of problems as the hosts went in search of the equaliser. Downpatrick didn’t have to wait too long for it to come, Jack McLaughlin took the ball down the right wing beating a number of players before pulling the ball back at the by-line. With the ball going behind him midfielder Ricky Kerr somehow generated the power to slam the ball across the face of the goal and into the back of the net.
With plenty of time left in the game Downpatrick were looking to go in front for the first time in the game but a combination of poor decisions, poor shooting and great goal keeping they failed to get the fourth goal needed. Malachians punished the home team with a goal in the last kick of the game for the ultimate kick in the teeth.
Downpatrick: 1) S Keenan 2) T Bell 3) C Holland 4) I Kearney 5) J McLaughlin 6) C McKenna 7) B Treacy 8) R Kerr 9) C McCarron 10) P Traynor 11) A McGarry 12) A Telford 14) P Telford 15) K Trueman