Downpatrick got this years Border Cup Challenge up and running with an impressive victory against Abbey Villa on Saturday, click on the link below to read more…
Saturday 5th September – NAFL Border Cup 1st Round
Downpatrick FC 2 v Abbey Villa 1
Downpatrick started this year’s Border Cup with a tricky home tie against Abbey Villa and progressed to the second round thanks to two quick fire goals in the opening ten minutes. The home side were looking to get back to winning ways after bowing out of the Steel & Sons Cup last week.
Downpatrick’s first goal came within the opening two minutes, Christian Holland made a positive run down the wing and got his shot early which the Abbey Villa keeper palmed away for a corner. Barry Treacy whipped a superb ball which was only half cleared back out to Treacy, his first time ball found its way to the feet of Stephen Galbraith who laid the ball off for Blaine Connolly. The left back hit his shot first time low and hard into the bottom corner.
With five minutes gone on the clock Downpatrick doubled their advantage, again Holland made good progress down the left wing beating a couple of players and delivering a good cross straight to Galbraith. The Downpatrick striker had the presence of mind to control the ball and lay off for his strike partner Ricky Kerr who curled the ball around the visiting keeper to register his first goal of the season.
For the next ten or fifteen minutes Downpatrick had all the play and should have been further in front. Treacy and Holland were causing havoc on both wings and creating plenty of opportunities for strikers Galbraith and Kerr. As the half wore on Abbey Villa came more into the game but failed to create to anything to worry Michael McKenna in the Downpatrick nets.
Half Time: Downpatrick FC 2 v Abbey Villa 1
The second half started in the same fashion as the first but without the goals, Downpatrick enjoying a lot of possession and creating plenty of chances but couldn’t find the third goal to make sure of the result. At this stage of the game the home side were in control all over the pitch especially with Andy Baggley and Aaron McGarry dictating in the middle of the park.
Credit to Abbey Villa who didn’t give up and with thirty minutes remaining they changed formation going with three strikers and they started to apply a lot more pressure. The visitors created a number of chances but a combination of poor finishing and excellent goal keeping from McKenna kept them at bay.
Then with five minutes remaining Abbey Villa pulled a goal back, a poor defensive header dropped at the feet of the Villa striker who struck a half volley into the back of the net giving McKenna no chance. This goal spurred Abbey Villa on and for the final seven or eight minutes of the game they were camped in Downpatrick’s half but failed to find the equaliser. Downpatrick will now travel to play Albert Foundry in the second round in a couple of week’s time.
Downpatrick: 1) M McKenna 2) T Bell 3) B Connolly 4) N Walsh 5) M Holland 6) A Baggley 7) B Treacy 8) A McGarry 9) S Galbraith 10) R Kerr 11) C Holland 12) B Fitzsimons 14) C McDowell 15) C McCarron
Match Sponsor: Alexander, Reid & Frazer Estate Agents, Downpatrick
