NAFL
Division One League
Abbey Villa 0 Downpatrick FC 4
Downpatrick got the league points they wanted away to Abbey Villa on Saturday. After two previous poor performances and results this was more like it. From the first whistle Downpatrick pressed, hustled, harried and completely outclassed the home side in what was a one sided match.
With the incredible efforts of Andy Baggley and Conor Curran in the middle of the park Downpatrick took control of the game. The opening goal came with a quick as a flash counter attack, with unselfish off the ball runs from Chrissy Mullan and Stephen Galbraith left a massive gap for Andrew Telford to run into and he didn’t need to be told twice as he blasted in from 18 yards.
On 32 minutes the referee pointed to the spot as Galbraith had been fouled and Downpatrick’s very own ‘stevie G’ slotted the pen home to send them in 2-0 at the break after good work from Baggley.
The second half was more of the same with Telford, Mullan and Terence Bell enjoying the chances to run into the spaces but couldn’t add to the lead. The third goal came again from the spot as Galbraith galloped on to a threw ball and was again fouled, the top goal scorer dusted himself down and sent the keeper the wrong way. Villa lost there discipline and a succession of yellow cards and a straight red for an auwful tackle on midfield hardman Curran.
The fourth goal of the game came after Andrew Telford finished of a slick move involving no less than 7 players. At this stage it was all about the clean sheet that Barry Fitzsimons, Mark Curran, Ciaran McGarrity, Matthew Carson and goal keeper Conan Russell craved and indeed keeper Russell made a point blank save to get both the clean sheet and the more importantly the 3 points. Next up for Downpatrick is an away trip to Larne Tech.
Downpatrick: 1) C Russell 2) B Fitzsimons 3) M Carson 4) M Curran 5) C McGarrity 6) A Baggley 7) C Mullan 8) C Curran 9) S Galbraith 10) A Telford 11) T Bell 12) B Treacy 14) C McKenna 15) g Collins
