Kilkeel 0 v Downpatrick FC 2nds 0

Downpatrick returned to league action after the Christmas holidays with an impressive performance against lowly Kilkeel. In the opening twenty minutes Downpatrick had plenty of possession without creating any real scoring opportunities, with only striker Paul Donnelly having a chance of note which the goal keeper saved comfortably.

On the twenty minute mark Downpatrick finally broke the deadlock with a superb shot from striker Paddy Kerr. The move started with left back Chris Curran playing the ball to winger Conail Kerr who crossed the ball to his cousin who shot from near the penalty spot into the bottom corner.

Downpatrick doubled their lead on the half hour mark, again the ball came down the left wing but this time Paddy Kerr turned provider, his cross was met at the back post by flying winger Gary Trueman who slid in to steer the ball into the net. Another play down the left wing led to Downpatrick’s third goal five minutes before half time, left back Curran made a run down the wing before cutting the ball back along the 18 yard line Paddy Kerr controlled the ball before hitting an unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner of the net.

Half Time: Kilkeel 0 v Downpatrick FC 2nds 3

Downpatrick were happy to play the possession game in the second half with Conaill McGrady and Neil Young controlling the game from centre midfield. McGrady played a beautiful defence splitting pass for striker Paddy Kerr to run onto but he was fouled by the Kilkeel keeper before he could get a shot away, the ref had no option but to point to the penalty spot. Kerr took the penalty himself looking for his hat-trick and scored with confidence by sending the keeper the wrong way but the referee wasn’t happy and made him re-take the penalty, unfortunately Kerr blazed the re-taken penalty over the bar.

As the game entered the final ten minutes midfield veteran Young got his name on the scoresheet, he won the ball in midfield before surging forward and playing a one-two with Donnelly and shooting on the edge of the box into the bottom left hand corner. A comfortable victory for Downpatrick as they look to push themselves up the table.

Downpatrick: 1) R Hagan 2) A Murphy 3) C Curran 4) P O’Reilly 5) M Carson 6) C McGrady 7) G Trueman 8) N Young 9) P Kerr 10) P Donnelly 11) C Kerr 12) S McMahon 14) N Cunningham 15) C MacNabb