Downpatrick Athletic welcomed Ballyvea to Dunleath but couldn’t prevent the visitors from leaving with all three points, click on the link below to read more….
Saturday 12th September – NADAFL Premier Division
Downpatrick Athletic 0 v Ballyvea 3
Downpatrick Athletic will be wondering how this game finished three nil to the visitors but the truth is if you don’t take your chances you won’t score. Downpatrick started this game positively and had numerous chances in the opening fifteen minutes to score. Andrew Telford who was making his first start of the season for the club was causing the Ballyvea defence problems by running directly at them. Several times he passed the ball out wide to Ryan Fitzpatrick and Conail Kerr but nobody could convert their crosses.
Ballyvea were making a game of it and always looked a threat when they attacked particularly striker Mark Burden who would go on to complete a hat-trick. His first goal saw good build up play in the middle of the park before the ball was played out wide, the Ballyvea cross was met in the box by Burden whose shot gave Robbie Hagan in the Downpatrick nets no chance. Downpatrick nearly replied straight away, an Adrian McCoubrey corner was met by Kerr, his header cannoned of the crossbar to safety.
Half Time: Downpatrick Athletic 0 v Ballyvea 1
In the second half Downpatrick were still creating chances but couldn’t find that killer touch to bring the sides level, striker Paddy Kerr saw an effort saved, Telford was unlucky not to score and Conail Kerr shot over the bar after cutting inside from the wing. That man Burden was on hand to double his tally for the day fifteen minutes after half time when he shot from just inside the 18 yard box nestled into the back of the net.
Five minutes later the game was over as a contest when Burden completed his hat-trick, the Ballyvea striker was fouled in the Downpatrick penalty box by McCoubrey and the referee didn’t hesitate to point to the spot. The Ballyvea target man dusted himself down and dispatched the penalty confidently giving Hagan no chance.
Credit to the young Downpatrick team they didn’t give up and kept pushing the Ballyvea defence to try and find away back into the game but the experience of the visitors saw them see out the game. The management can take a few positives from the game, creating so many chances the performances of several players including the debut of Chris Magee and return of Andrew Telford, however to earn wins in this league they will need to improve their defending.
Downpatrick: 1) R Hagan 2) G Trueman 3) C Curran 4) K Gracey 5) M Carson 6) A McCoubrey 7) R Fitzpatrick 8) C Magee 9) A Telford 10) P Kerr 11) C Kerr 12) D Telford 14) C Evans 15) J Holland
Match Sponsors: Quinn’s Spar, Downpatrick
