Downpatrick FC 2 v’s Willowbank FC 1
The under 16’s were looking to keep their winning run going at the start of the season and make it three wins out of three games and they left this result very late in the match to secure the three points. Downpatrick started off the 1st half playing reasonably well, the players were just finding it difficult to give the killer pass or find the target after some good approach play.
Midway through the half the ‘greens’ had their best chance of the half. Good build up play from Andrew McCoubrey on the right wing led to a good cross which found the feet of Ben Curran and he looked sure to score only for the Willowbank defender to make an excellent last ditch tackle and clear the danger.
Downpatrick got sloppy just before half time and Willowbank punished them with a fine goal to leave Fintan Canavan with no chance in the Downpatrick nets. The score remained the same until half time.
Half Time: Downpatrick FC 0 v’s Willowbank 1
In the second half Downpatrick continued to play well but were still out of luck in front of goal, especially Callum Shields and strike partner Curran. Downpatrick brought on Caolan Bentham and Nathan McShane early in the half and they were quick to inject some energy into the Downpatrick tempo. Bentham in particular put in a man of the match performance when introduced.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes it was Bentham who found striker Shields on the edge of the box and the big striker continued his excellent scoring run with a fine shot to bring Downpatrick level. Downpatrick could now sense that the three points were there for the taking and applied more pressure on the Willowbank defence.
With only 5 minutes remaining Downpatrick scored the goal which secured three points, Callum Shields made headway down the wing and found strike partner McShane who made no mistake with a superb shot to give his team the advantage.
