NAFL Premier Division
Saturday 23rd April @ Rossconnor
Downpatrick FC xa05 xa0Derriaghy CC xa00
Downpatrick put in a five star performance on Saturday when they welcomed Derriaghy to Rosconnor. Buoyed on by their result on Wednesday in the Clarence Cup, Downpatrick played with great authority and a determination to start their congested fixtures with a positive result.
The first half was a pretty tame event with neither team creating too many chances, then on thirty five minutes Peter Telford won possession in midfield and made a surging run towards the Derriaghy goal. His marker tried to get back and clear the ball but only managed to foul the midfielder around 25 yards from goal. Left back Christian Holland placed the ball which favoured his left foot and sent the ball soaring into the near side top corner giving Derriaghy no chance.
Half Time: Downpatrick FC 1 v Derriaghy CC 0
Five minutes after half time Downpatrick doubled their advantage as Andy Baggley returned to midfield and sent through a defence-splitting pass for Philip Traynor to run on to. The Downpatrick striker waited until the visiting keeper committed himself before he coolly lifted the ball over him and into the net.
Traynor doubled his tally for the day five minutes later from the penalty spot. Aaron McGarry broke through the defence and saw his shot cannon off the defenders arm but the referee waived play on. Traynor regained possession and skipped by the defender who could do nothing but foul the Downpatrick player and this time the referee awarded the spot kick.
As the game reached the seventy minute mark Downpatrick scored two goals inside three minutes. Traynor played a perfect ball with the outside of his right foot for Stephen Galbraith to run onto. The Downpatrick top scorer was now one-on-one with the Derriaghy keeper and the ace marksman slotted the ball down the outside of the keeper to make it four-nil.
Downpatrick’s last goal was scored by the hardworking Ricky Kerr who took the ball down the left hand side of the field before cutting inside and beating the Derriaghy left back and centre half with pace and skill. Finding himself with room to shoot the striker calmly slipped the ball under the advancing keeper into the net.
Downpatrick FC: 1) M McKenna 2) B Fitzsimons 3) C Holland 4) M Carson 5) B Connolly 6) A Baggley 7) B Treacy 8) P Telford 9) R Kerr 10) P Traynor 11) A McGarry 12) J Sharvin 14) S Galbraith 15) A McCoubrey
