Saturday 11th October – NAFL Division 1A
Downpatrick FC 5 v’s St Pats YM 1
Downpatrick produced an impressive display against St Pats YM on Saturday and sets them up nicely for next weeks Border Cup match. From the start Downpatrick were the better side and could have been 1 nil up in the opening ten minutes when striker Peter Telford just failed to stretch far enough to get on the end of an Aaron McGarry’s cross.
On the half hour mark Downpatrick were awarded a penalty after the St Pats YM defender man handled Peter Telford to the ground giving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Eoin Boyle quickly grabbed the ball and placed it on the spot, however he had to wait several minutes for the referee to allow the kick to be taken after strong protests from the visiting team. Boyle sent the ball low to the keeper’s left hand side giving him no chance and putting Downpatrick 1 nil up.
Half Time: Downpatrick FC 1 v’s St Pats YM 0
St Pats came out in the second half and in the opening 15 had their best spell of the game without really creating any chances. Downpatrick’s second goal came via the penalty spot, a long throw from goal keeper Michael McKenna found its way to winger Andy Telford who found himself in on goal, his touch was a bit heavy which appeared to favour the St Pats goal keeper getting to the ball first but Telford’s speed allowed him to move the ball away from the onrushing keeper and draw the foul. Boyle again placed the ball and dispatched it to the same side as the first spot kick but this time sending the keeper the wrong way.
St Pats gave themselves a lifeline midway through the second half when a through ball deceived Mark Curran and allowed their striker to send the ball high into the net past McKenna. Downpatrick had to wait until the final fifteen minutes before securing the points. Boyle controlled the ball on the edge of the box and tried to beat his marker but the ball broke to Chris Mullan who made no mistake from 18 yards to send the home supporters delirious.
Downpatrick’s fourth saw Mullan send in a cross from the right wing which appeared to be going into the keepers hands comfortably but a mix up with his centre half saw the ball spill out and roll towards the net, Aaron McGarry was on hand to stab the ball home from two yards out. Andrew Telford rounded of the scoring with five minutes remaining, another long throw from keeper McKenna set the winger free and from the corner of the box Telford curled the ball round the keeper into the bottom corner.
Downpatrick: 1) M McKenna 2) G Collins 3) C McDowell 4) M Holland 5) M Curran 6) C McKenna 7) A Telford 8) A Baggley 9) P Telford 10) E Boyle 11) A McGarry 12) N Walsh 14) T Bell 15) C Mullan