Downpatrick score four against a determined Ardglass in Harry Clarke Cup Tie Round 2
As the whistle blew to commence this cup-tie, a strong wind whipped across the pitch,and at the start of the second half the rain added to the poor conditions at Dunleath Park in this Harry Clark clash writes Jim Masson.
Ardglass right winger Ryan McKinney made an early charge at the Downpatrick goal and struck well but the ball rose just over the top bar.
Then Downpatrick broke forward and Dylan Kelly made an great cross to Andrew McCoubrey who fired at an angle but Ardglass keeper James Crangle read it well.
Owen Curran was making some strong runs for Ardglass on the left wing but had to battle against Downpatrick defender for every yard.
Ardglass were certainly up for the match and John Beattie playing on the right found space to get close to the Downpatrick goal but his shot rose over the top bar.
Ardglass did most the early attacking and Downpatrick were confidently cautious making sure they did not get off on the wrong foot with an early goal down.
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Then after 15 minutes the home side went up a gear and Ardglass knew they were in a match. Josh Montgomery chipped a loved mid-distance ball to Morgan Fitzpatriick over the heads of the Ardglass defence, a good creative effort, but Crangle was alert to the move.
Dylan Kelly them cross neatly to Nathan McAlister who drove the ball on target forcing Crangle to palm the shot over for a corner.
Downpatrick were warming up and Montgomery tried a volley but it deflected off an Arglass defender for another corner.
The ensuing corner saw Dylan Kelly rise up and make a classy header into the Ardglass net to open the scoring. on 20 minutes.
Ardglass fought back and Owen Curran made an excellent cross to Beattie but it was a fraction too far. Then after a few more Ardglass charges, Downpatrick broke forward again.
Conn Farrell found the ball at his feet and he made no mistake knocking it in at short range into the Ardglass goal on 28 minutes.
Michael Magee was feeling the frustration and received a yellow card at this point, then 9 minutes later he headed the ball in for a goal after a bit of sustained pressure from Ardglass.
The second hald started off with both teams giving their all in an increasing physical match. Owen Curran again was making good play crossing to the Downpatrick goal.
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Then in the 59th minute Andrew McCoubrey made it 3-1 with a crisp shot inside the Ardglass box.
As the game progressed, Magee stepped up his attacking efforts as Ardglass struggled to claw back the deficit and Barry Treacy also received a yellow card as the game became very competitive.
John Beattie too was working hard and stepping up looking for opportunities backed up by Jordan Finnegan at times.
Then in the 89th minute Mattew Rooney pulled a goal back for Ardglass and teh visitors were frantic trying to score as the game went into extra time.
But the final whistle was a relief for the Downpatrick players as they came through the game as winners to go on to round 3.
Ardglass brought the game to Downpatrick and were unlucky not to have bagged a third goal. Again, the weather conditions were very difficult which made the game all the more challenging for both teams.
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Downpatrick FC: 1 Ruairi Murphy GK 2 Ryan Cassidy 3 Morgan Fitzpatrick 4 Shea Holland 5 Con Farrell (C), 6 Adrian McCoubrey 7 Nathan McAlister, 8 Josh Montgomery, 9 Dylan Kelly, 10 Barry Treacy, 11 Andrew McCoubrey. Subs: 12 Anthony Carson, 14 Seanny Duggan, Jake Harding.
Ardglass FC: 1 James Crangle GK, 2 Malachy Crangle, 3 Corey Mahon, 4 James Telford, 5 Owen Curran, 6 Jamie McDarby, 7 Ryan McKinney, 8 Jordan Finnegan, 9 Michael Magee (C), 10 Shea Dorrian, 11 John Beattie. Subs: 12 Antoin O’Shea, 14 Michael Clarke, 14 Matthew Rooney.
