Mourne Rovers out fox Downpatrick seconds with some clinical finishing, click on the link below to read more…
Saturday 3rd September – NADAFL Premier Division
Downpatrick Athletic 3 v Mourne Rovers 5
Downpatrick got of to a slow start in this league game and allowed Mourne Rovers to come onto them in the early stages. The early pressure paid off after ten minutes when the Rovers left winger got down the wing and sent a cross towards the Downpatrick penalty spot were his midfield partner ghosted in unmarked and headed home past Ronan Holland in the home sides nets.
Downpatrick woke up after going behind and Conor McCarron in particular was looking dangerous with his direct play. Conor Logue who had earlier in the day done nets for the under 19’s received the ball on the right wing and played the ball in field to Shane Matheson. The left winger went on a mazy run past two or three Rovers defender before committing the keeper and sliding the ball past him at the near post to bring the sides level.
On the half hour mark Mourne Rovers went back in front with a spectacular volley from the edge of the box into the top corner. With the game approaching half time Downpatrick got back on level terms from a free kick. Paddy Kerr was fouled on the right wing twenty five yards from the goal, Conor McKenna took the free kick and saw his strike evade everyone and nestle in the bottom corner of the net.
Half Time: Downpatrick Athletic 2 v Mourne Rovers 2
Downpatrick enjoyed some early pressure in the opening exchanges of the second half, pinning Mourne Rovers back in their own half. A Downpatrick attack was broken up and Rovers quickly counter attacked and Holland was on hand to save a crisp shot for a corner. From the resultant corner the ball was played in and deceived everyone and went straight into the net.
On the hour mark Mourne Rovers doubled their advantage, their left winger took the ball down the wing and his cross wasn’t dealt with by the Downpatrick defence and the Rovers striker stabbed the ball home. Ten minutes later Downpatrick pulled a goal back, McKenna took a free kick from the right wing position but the ball was cleared back out to him and his first time cross was side footed into the back of the net by Gary Trueman.
In the dying minutes Mourne Rovers sealed the points, a corner was delivered into the box and their striker reacted quickest to bundle the ball into the back of the net. Downpatrick will be hoping for a more settled side in next weeks Bobby Dalzell Cup against Rossglass County.
Downpatrick: 1) R Holland 2) M Murphy 3) C Kerr 4) T McShane 5) G Trueman 6) A McCoubrey 7) C Logue 8) C McKenna 9) P Kerr 10) C McCarron 11) S Matheson 12) A Telford 14) Ryan Fitzpatrick 15) Ruari Fitzpatrick