The seconds miss a great opportunity to beat the current Supplementary Cup holders on Saturday as the rue some missed chances, click on the link below to read more…
Saturday 21st February – NADAFL Division 1 Supplementary Cup
Downpatrick FC 2nds 2 v Ballynahinch Olympic 2nds 2
Ballynahinch Olympic withstood a spirited opening from the hosts who asserted themselves on the game and began to dictate, picking up passes as they looked for a way through the Olympic side who were prepared to defend and concentrate on limiting the main threats from their opponents.
After Gary Trueman forced the visitors keeper to push his fierce drive over bar on 4 minutes Neil Young saw his effort well saved by the keeper. The shotstopper was then relieved to see Conor McCarron’s glancing header arc just wide while a Conaill Kerr shot rolled against the post via a deflection from one of the Olympics defenders. The woodwork came to Olympics rescue once more when McCarrons header had the keeper beaten.
Downpatrick’s pressure eventually paid off on 10 minutes when debutant McCarron got on to the end of a Barry Fitzsimons long throw to power home a header from 12 yards. It could have gotten even better for the Downpatrick men just two minutes later when Matthew Carson picked out the late running Conaill Kerr, however the winger’s powerful drive was straight at keeper who gathered.
Olympic hadn’t been seen as an attacking threat at this stage, yet, on 43 minutes they equalised with their first effort on goal. Philip Rogan won a free kick on the edge of the area enabling the striker to thunder a low effort around the wall giving Downpatrick keeper Robbie Hagan no chance.
Half Time: Downpatrick FC 2nds 1 v Ballynahinch Olympic 2nds 1
After the interval Conaill Kerr raced on to Carson’s through ball only to attempt a pass to Neil Young when one on one with the Olympic keeper. The hosts should have doubled their lead minutes later but Niall Walsh’s thumping header was brilliantly saved by the keeper and Young could only nod the rebound against the bar. Adrian McCoubrey blazed a volley over from close range as the rate at which Downpatrick were creating chances built hopes of a victory.
Downpatrick’s second finally came on 73 minutes courtesy of an og. Another long throw from Fitzsimons was nodded on by Young, the ball glanced the defenders head to put the hosts in front. Three minutes later Rogan brought his side back on level terms. The Downpatrick defence failed to take many opportunities to clear and Rogan picked up the loose ball to shoot past the stranded Hagan.
Buoyed by the equaliser Olympic appeared to be contesting control and almost took the lead when Rogan raced on to a defensive errant pass only to chip a delicate effort against Hagan’s bar. Thereafter both sides pushed for the win Curran and Kerr slinging in the crosses which fizzed unconverted while Olympic came no closer to victory than when the midfielder outstripped Fitzsimons but was unable to tee up Rogan for a simple tap in.
Team: 1) R Hagan, 2) C Curran, 3) P O’Reilly, 4) B Fitzsimons, 5) M Carson, 6) A McCoubrey, 7) N Walsh 8) G Trueman, 9) C Kerr, 10) N Young, 11) C McCarron 12) D Telford, 14) C Curran, 15) P Kerr
