After last weeks defeat in the Shield Final the under 14’s returned to winning ways in a tight game against Shankill Juniors, click on the link to read more…
Saturday 3rd January – Lisburn Invitational League under 14’s
Downpatrick FC 1 v Shankill Juniors 0
After a disappointing few weeks Downpatrick needed to make a good start. The opening minutes were very physical with some very strong tackles going in from Shankill, this stopped Downpatrick playing their passing game. Downpatrick were forced to make an early change in midfield bringing on Corey McCoubrey for Brandon Boyd.
Immediately McCoubrey made an impact, after winning the ball in the middle of the park he played a pass out to Ruairi Quinn on the left wing, he then crossed for Eoin Rooney but the Shankill keeper made a fine save. This gave Downpatrick a lift and they started to create a few chances but with the Shankill keeper in fine form they got no reward for there hard work as both teams finished the first half level.
Half Time: Downpatrick FC 1 v Shankill Juniors 0
Downpatrick started the second half on the front foot with McCoubrey again at the heart of the move, he spread a pass out to the right wing this time to Philip Doran who chested the ball into the path of Rooney he then beat the right back and slid a cross along the 6 yard box to setup Declan Looney to side foot into the Shankill goal. As Downpatrick pressed Shankill tried to slow things down with some very tough tackles. In the moments that followed Tom Smyth won the ball in his back line and as he stepped out he was taken out by a Shankill midfielder as he tackled him from the side, as Smyth got up they squared off, Smyth pushed him and the ref sent off Smyth and booked the Shankill player. Downpatrick had to dig deep for the remaining 20 minutes to keep Shankill at bay, but the Downpatrick rearguard of Ryan Cassidy, Brandon Boyd, Tom Fitzsimons, James Peacock and goal keeper Caolain Logue stood strong and kept Shankill out, to win 3 very important points.