The seconds secure another vital three points in their pursuit of promotion, click on the link to read more…
Saturday 7th February – NADAFL Division 1
Downpatrick FC 2 v Ardglass Swifts 1
The unflappable form of Robbie Hagan was key to Downpatrick’s victory but in front of him an unfamiliar back four of Barry Fitzsimons, Anthony Murphy, Gary Trueman and David Telford performed manfully and laid the foundation for a vital win against an Ardglass side also challenging for promotion.
Downpatrick could have been in front on 8 minutes when Ardglass keeper saved well as Paddy Kerr pressured the keeper from the corner, Neil Young then hit the crossbar from the rebound and John Glennon’s acrobatic effort was cleared off the line. The hosts went ahead having controlled the early part of the game. A Trueman corner was chested invitingly on to the right boot of Paddy Kerr who shot with the outside of the boot from 12 yards to score his 10th goal of the season.
Suitably buoyed by the advantage Downpatrick grew more assertive with the defence well shielded by Neil Young and Chrissie Curran. Hagan was soon called into action when the Ardgass striker strode clear on goal only to thud his close range effort against the Downpatrick shotstopper. Ben Ford flashed a shot wide at the other end as the hosts gradually came to life but errant passing allowed Ardglass to dictate the games flow.
Half Time: Downpatrick FC 2nds 1 v Ardglass Swifts 0
It was against the run of play that Downpatrick doubled their tally in the second half. A long punt up field from David Telford made its way to John Glennon who controlled the ball and beat his marker before hitting a thunderous effort across goal which was steered into the net by the grounded Ardglass defender.
Conaill Kerr ought to have added a third soon afterwards when he was sent clear by Trueman but his own dinked finish drifted wide of the target. Ardglass briefly set nerves jangling as they halved the advantage but Downpatrick saw out the remaining 9 minutes. Last minute interventions on the line from Murphy and Young plus defensive heroics from Fitzsimons proved as vital to the scoreline as Kerr’s finish in a home display laden with character. This was a nervous display as the game wore on and after the interval it is fair to say the men from the coast were the better side with the manager Leo Kearney coming away disappointed his side left with nothing from the game.
Downpatrick: R Hagan, D Telford, G Trueman, B Fitzsimons, A Murphy, C Kerr, B Ford, N Young, C Curran, P Kerr, J Glennon. Subs: P Donnelly, S Hughes, M Carson
