Downpatrick made it to the third round of this years Border Cup with a comfortable victory over Orangefield Old Boys, click on the link to read more…
Saturday 23rd September – NAFL Border Cup 2nd Round
Orangefield OB 1 v Downpatrick FC 3
Downpatrick progressed to the third round of this years Border Cup by defeating 1A side Orangefield Old Boys. With the weather being unkind this week Downpatrick were forced into switching this fixture to avoid the threat of going two weeks without a match.
Downpatrick got off to the perfect start when after two minutes captain Barry Fitzsimons was in possession in the right back position, his ball forward found winger Barry Treacy. The speedy winger skipped by his marker before cutting inside and played a spectacular pass with the outside of his right foot to the back post. Philip Traynor received the ball, took a touch before rifling the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
Fifteen minutes into the game the visitors doubled their advantage, the ball came down the left hand side of the pitch this time through Aaron McGarry. He played the ball into the box to Traynor who beat the defender and squared the ball across the box for Jack McLaughlin. The nippy striker dummied the defender before giving the Orangefield goal keeper the eyes by shaping up to put the ball into one corner before whipping it into the other corner.
Half Time: Orangefield OB 0 v Downpatrick FC 2
The home side came out in the second half looking to get back into the game, they changed formation which caused Downpatrick a few worries in the opening stages. This early pressure paid off when the Downpatrick defence failed to clear on no less than four occasions and the ball fell to the Orangefield striker who gave Downpatrick’s debutant goal keeper Kieran Gordon no chance.
Downpatrick extended their lead midway through the second half, Conor McKenna was gaining the upper hand in the midfield area and it was his ball over the top which found the ever willing Treacy. He surged towards the by-line and sent over a dangerous cross which the Orangefield defender could only turn into his own net with McLaughlin waiting to tap the ball in.
Downpatrick controlled the remainder of the game and could off extended their lead but for the cross bar saving Orangefield on two different occasions from Christian Holland and Andrew McCoubrey. The Downpatrick management can be pleased with the performance, a few players returning, the goal keeper situation sorted with Gordon signing and progressing to the third round of the competition. The only negative from the game was the injury sustained by Adrian McCoubrey who we hope isn’t too serious.
Downpatrick: 1) K Gordon 2) B Fitzsimons 3) C Holland 4) N Taggart 5) B Connolly 6) C McKenna 7) B Treacy 8) T McIlhone 9) P Traynor 10) J McLaughlin 11) A McGarry 12) Adrian McCoubrey 14) C McCarron 15) Andrew McCoubrey
