Downpatrick FC 2 v’s Banbridge FC 1 

The Under 16’s had the honour of being Downpatrick FC’s first underage team to play a competitive match and they were successful in securing their first win. Although the 16’s won the game they didn’t start the game in a confident fashion. The team was slow to react and very nervous on the ball. 

The poor start was made worse when Banbridge took the lead on 15 minutes, their striker controlled the ball and gave Fintan Canavan in the Downpatrick nets no chance. This goal appeared to wake Downpatrick up and they began to get more possession and the players settled down when in control of the ball.

Downpatrick’s equaliser came on the half hour mark and was a brilliant team goal, starting in defence the ball was played through the midfield to John Patterson on the right wing, he spotted the superbly timed run of James McAleenan and he played a lovely through ball which allowed McAleenan the simplest of finishes to level the game. The remaining five minutes of the half both sides cancelled each other out.

Half Time: Downpatrick FC 1 v’s Banbridge 1

Some encouraging words at half time from managers Paul McCoubrey and Paul Moore saw the Downpatrick lads come out a lot brighter at the start of the second half. At times some of their passing and movement was superb and could have been front only for some poor shooting and some excellent goal keeping from the Banbridge keeper Colin Leckey.

Midway through the half Downpatrick found themselves in front, substitute Eoin Darragh passed the ball to winger Nathan McShane who went on a mazy run beating four players before calmly slotting the ball home past his friend and opposing goal keeper Leckey to make it 2 – 1 to Downpatrick.

The final 15 minutes saw both teams cancel each other out with chances limited, the Downpatrick players can be very happy with their performance especially Conor Breen in the heart of the defence who was the star player. Moore and McCoubrey were delighted at the result but more importantly they were pleased at how well the team played as a unit. Next up is a match on Wednesday night against Ridgeway at the Barbour Playing Fields, kick off is 6.30pm. 

Full Time: Downpatrick FC 2 v’s Banbridge 1