Downpatrick grind out a hard earned victory against Islandmagee in an early morning kick off on Saturday morning, click on the link below to find out how…
Saturday 14th May – NAFL Premier Division
Downpatrick FC 3 v Islandmagee FC 1
Saturday’s match was Downpatrick’s tenth match in twenty one days so they could be forgiven for making a slow start, the team was also reshuffled to give players a rest and other players some important game time. In the early stages Islandmagee looked the more dangerous team as Downpatrick laboured.
A ball over the top of the Downpatrick defence allowed for keeper Johnny Holland to come out and control the ball but as the defenders pushed up he could only send his clearance to the feet of the Islandmagee striker. The visiting striker controlled the ball and passed it into the empty net from forty yards out to give his side the lead. Holland redeemed himself almost immediately when he made three vital saves to keep Downpatrick in the game.
Half Time: Downpatrick FC 0 v Islandmagee FC 1
The Downpatrick management of Kevin Trueman and Joe McMahon had some harsh words for the players at half time letting them know that they can play better than they did in the first half. Those words had an instant impact as Downpatrick drew level within five minutes, good play down the left hand side saw Stephen Galbraith make headway before he cut the ball back into the box. Philip Traynor was on hand to steer the ball into the back of the net.
Downpatrick began to gain more possession of the ball as they put the Islandmagee defence under pressure and it was only a matter of time before they got their noses in front. The second goal coming courtesy of the Holland brothers, a long free kick out of defence cleared the Islandmagee defence and found Mark who instantly controlled the ball before evading his marker and keeping his composure when one on one with the keeper and tucking his shot away superbly.
Traynor grabbed his second goal of the game to seal all three points for Downpatrick with ten minutes remaining. The quick striker beat the offside trap and as he scampered down the wing the Islandmagee defence were able to get back to him but he had the skill to beat three players before scoring from a tight angle. Downpatrick had chances to score more goals through Galbraith who was one on one with the keeper and saw his effort saved and Aaron McGarry whose header was cleared of the line.
Downpatrick: 1) J Holland 2) N Walsh 3) C Holland 4) B Connolly 5) M Carson 6) P Telford 7) B Treacy 8) J Sharvin 9) S Galbraith 10) P Traynor 11) A McGarry 12) T Bell 14) M Holland 15) C Kerr