Downpatrick welcomed the league champions to a boggy Rosconnor on Saturday and suffered another defeat, click on the link to read more…
Saturday 18th November – NAFL Premier Division
Downpatrick FC 2 v Crumlin Star 4
Downpatrick went into Saturdays match looking to get their league campaign back on track and welcomed champions Crumlin Star to Rosconnor. Both teams had a hectic schedule in the previous 48 hours with the home side having played a Border Cup quarter-final match on Thursday and the visitors having played an Intermediate Cup match the previous evening..
Crumlin Star got off to the perfect start when they scored within two minutes, the ball was worked down the left hand side and crossed into the box. The Downpatrick defence failed to clear the ball and the Star striker volleyed the ball high into the net from the penalty spot. The visitors doubled their advantage fifteen minutes later, this time they went down the left wing before cutting the ball back from the by-line for the Crumlin striker to have the simplest of tap-ins.
Five minutes before the break Crumlin Star scored their third goal of the game then just on the stroke of half time Downpatrick were given a glimmer of hope when they pulled a goal back. A Jack McLaughlin cross was met at the back post by Philip Traynor, his initial shot was saved on the line but the striker followed up and volleyed the ball into the back of the net.
Half Time: Downpatrick FC 1 v Crumlin Star 3
A few stern words by the Downpatrick management at half time saw the players start the second half with more purpose and determination to get back into the game. Within fifteen minutes the hosts won a corner which was cleared, the ball was passed back out to Barry Treacy on the left hand side of the pitch and his in-swinging cross was met at the back post by Philip Traynor who won the battle with the keeper and headed the ball into the back of the net.
The momentum was with Downpatrick now and they went in search of the equaliser, Gerdie Collins saw his effort cannon back of the crossbar before Traynor sent a curling effort just past the post. As Downpatrick pushed Crumlin Star counter attacked with minutes remaining and scored the all-important fourth goal to secure all three points. Downpatrick must now re-focus as they prepare for Wednesday night’s Border Cup Semi-Final against Shankill United.
Downpatrick: 1) K Gordon 2) J Brannigan 3) A McGarry 4) R Kerr 5) B Connolly 6) C McKenna 7) B Treacy 8) J Healy 9) P Traynor 10) T McIlhone 11) J McLaughlin 12) G Collins 14) C Kerr 15) P Telford