Downpatrick were dissappointed to come away from Shankill with only a point after creating enough chances to win the game, click on the link to read more…
Saturday 6th February – NAFL Premier Division
Shankill United 2 v Downpatrick FC 2
Downpatrick travelled to Shankill on Saturday for their first league game of 2016 and came away wondering how they failed to collect all three points. Both teams took 10 minutes to settle into the game before Shankill went in front. They worked the ball well down the right hand side of the pitch before a good through ball released their striker who went one on one with Downpatrick’s Michael McKenna and coolly finished.
This goal spurned Downpatrick into action and ten minutes later they equalised. Aaron McGarry was fouled on the left hand side, Jamie Sharvin whipped in a free kick to the back post. Markie Holland rose highest to head the ball back across the goal were McGarry was waiting to volley the ball high into the net. Downpatrick had plenty of chances to go in front before half time through Philip Traynor and substitute Eoin Boyle but each chance was thwarted by good goal keeping or both the post and crossbar.
Half Time: Shankill United 1 v Downpatrick FC 1
Downpatrick started strong in the second half and within ten minutes they were in front, Sharvin again was involved when he beat two men before passing the ball out wide to Barry Treacy. Treacy broke down the right wing and played an inch perfect pass into Traynor who sent the Shankill goal keeper the wrong way with a brilliant finish. Five minutes later Downpatrick had a great opportunity to go in front only for the Shankill keeper to deny Stephen Galbraith from a header.
As the game entered the final 20 minutes Shankill got an equaliser after Downpatrick failed to clear a corner and the Shankill striker sent a glancing header into the back of the net. Downpatrick were forced to make a change with their keeper Michael McKenna getting injured and being replaced by Eoin Boyle.
Downpatrick piled on the pressure in the final ten minutes but couldn’t find away past the Shankill keeper who made some superb saves especially from Philip Traynor. Then in the dying minutes Downpatrick were denied a stone wall penalty, Peter Telford headed a corner at the back post and as the ball was flying into the top corner the Shankill defender tipped the ball over the bar with his hand but the referee pointed for a corner much to the Downpatrick player’s dismay.
Downpatrick: 1) M McKenna 2) B Fitzsimons 3) B Connolly 4) N Walsh 5) M Holland 6) J Sharvin 7) B Treacy 8) A Baggley 9) P Traynor 10) S Galbraith 11) A McGarry 12) E Boyle 14) P Telford 15) R Fitzpatrick
