Downpatrick Fair Poorly Away To Crumlin

NAFL Division 1A – Saturday 6 April Crumlin United 3 – Downpatrick 2 Downpatrick left Crumlin village with nothing after a well below par performance. From the outset it was obvious that Crumlin were up for this game more. The home side had numerous chances in the opening ten minutes but failed to convert. They took the lead on the 15 minute mark when striker Riley played a one two with striking partner Hughes before firing home into the near post. Downpatrick were thrown a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty five minutes later. But keeper Rogers guessed the right way to deny Eoin Boyle from the spot. Five minutes later Rogers pulled off another wonder save from a Stephen Galbraith 30 yard free kick. The strike looked destined for the top corner but somehow Rogers got his fingers to it to push it onto the bar. After this Crumlin rallied themselves again and created wave after wave of attack. It came as no surprise when they doubled their lead five minutes before the half with the score remaining 2-0 at half time. In the second half Downpatrick came out a bit brighter and created some good openings in the first ten minutes. They were dealt a killer blow on 60 minutes when Crumlin broke and Riley hit his second of the day to make it 3-0. At this stage it looked like the game was over but striker Eoin Boyle redeemed himself after his earlier penalty miss. He pulled it back to 3-1 on the 80 minute mark when he closed down the Crumlin sweeper before firing low and hard into the bottom corner. He then made it 3-2 in stoppage time when he headed home a Galbraith corner. With 2 minutes left on the clock Downpatrick went in search of an equaliser but the Crumlin defence held firm to pick up the win. Downpatrick: 1) C Russell 2) B Fitzsimons 3) M Curran 4) C McGarrity 5) G Daly 6) T Bell 7) S McMahon 8) G Collins 9) C McGrady 10) S Galbraith 11) E Boyle 12) C Curran 14) D Taggart 15) T McKendry]]>