After last weeks dissapointing result the Under 14’s returned to winning ways with an impressive display against Lurgan Town, read below to find out more…
Saturday 29th November – Lisburn Invitational Junior League under 14’s
Downpatrick FC 6 v LurganTown 0
Downpatrick started well with a lot of early possession but a combination of the wrong pass and a strong Lurgan defence meant they found it hard to make a breakthrough. The defence had to be reshuffled after 15 minutes as Ryan Cassidy hurt his elbow and Kyle McKeever came on to replace him.
As Downpatrick pressed and got no joy, Lurgan began to get into the game nearly taking advantage of a lose pass in the midfield, the Lurgan right winger drove at Downpatrick’s goal keeper Shane Campbell’s goal, but Tom Fitzsimons was their to stop him in his tracks. With two minutes to go until halftime Fitzsimons picked up the ball in his own half and played a delightful left foot ball over the top to pick out Ruairi Quinn, he then drove down the left wing taking the ball to the by-line and crossing the ball to the back post for striker Eoin Rooney to score his 1st of the day.
Half Time: Downpatrick FC 1 v LurganTown 0
Downpatrick now had the bit between their teeth and with Kian Tierney dropping deeper into the base of midfield, he started dictating the game. Tierney played a neat one two with midfielder Corey McCoubrey, he then played a perfect pass to Quinn. Ruairi Quinn drove at the keeper and calmly slotted the ball home into the far corner to double Downpatrick’s advantage.
A few minutes later McCoubrey put another pass into Quinn inside the box, he unselfishly laid the ball back to Philip Doran who shot first time into the bottom corner. Downpatrick were now in cruise control, substitute Michael McStay flicked the ball to Eoin Rooney and he hit a volley on the half turn to give the Lurgan keeper no chance to make it four nil.
Downpatrick then won a corner, Quinn delivered a cross to the near post where Rooney was lurking to get his hat-trick. Downpatrick saved the goal of the day until last, as Ruairi Quinn picked the ball up in his own box from a Lurgan corner he ran the length of the field, beating 5 Lurgan players and then beating the keeper to make it six nil.
Saturday’s performance was much improved from last weeks defeat by Lisburn Distillery and sets the players up nicely for the Shield Semi-Final next Saturday against Warrenpoint. Downpatrick had many good performers in Fitzsimons, Quinn, Rooney and Man of the Match Kian Tierney.
