Saturday 27th September – Lisburn Invitational Junior League Under 14’s

Downpatrick FC 3 v’s Warrenpoint 2

Saturday’s match saw the top two go head to head and this game didn’t disappoint, with some fine football played by both sides. Downpatrick started of the game well and controlled the early exchanges, playing some neat passes to move the ball from back to front very quickly. They created a few chances in the opening ten minutes but Eoin Rooney and Ruairi Quinn couldn’t find the final touch to score.

Downpatrick’s opening goal came was an excellent team goal with all four defenders, Kyle McKeever, Caolain Logue, Tom Smyth and Tom Fitzsimons involved, the ball was quickly transferred into Brandon Boyd in midfield, Boyd played in striker Eoin Rooney down the left wing. Rooney’s shot come cross was only parried by the Warrenpoint keeper and Ruairi Quinn was on hand to tap the ball into the net.

With the game approaching half time the Downpatrick defence had a lapse in concentration and allowed the Warrenpoint striker to advance into the box unchallenged, his shot evaded the Shane Campbell in the Downpatrick nets to bring the sides level.

Half Time: Downpatrick FC 1 v’s Warrenpoint 1

Having just scored on the stroke of half time Warrenpoint came out in the second half a lot brighter and more confident and put the Downpatrick defence under a lot of pressure, but McKeever, Logue, Smyth and Fitzsimons held strong. In midfield Kian Tierney and Corey McCoubrey began to get on the ball more and dictate the play for Downpatrick.

Downpatrick’s second goal came via a corner which was superbly taken by Quinn and delivered to the back post for Declan Looney to prod home to restore Downpatrick’s lead. The advantage didn’t last for too long when the Warrenpoint midfielder made a surging run at the defence, he played a pass to their striker who instantly got his shot away and before Campbell could get himself set the ball was in the net.

With fifteen minutes remaining Downpatrick regained the lead when striker Eoin Rooney got his second of the game with a fine individual goal. Rooney won the ball on the halfway line, his turn of speed and strength saw him get away from the Warrenpoint defence, he committed the keeper before side stepping him to roll the ball into the net.

Warrenpoint to their credit didn’t lie down after going behind for a third time and continued to pile pressure on the Downpatrick defence, but every player in a green shirt dug deep and defended for their lives to ensure they came away with the three points.