A strong performance from Strangford FC with a Conal Fitzsimmons hat-trick was too much for Downpatrick
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
Venue, St Dillon’s Park, League match,
Final Score: Downpatrick FC 2 5 v Strangford FC.
Downpatrick FC were hoping to end their season with a win but it didn’t work out for them as Strangford kept up the pressure attacking through the match.
Having had a good season, the Downpatrick team are firming up to be serious contenders in the NADAFL premier league having won the league cup and contending in finals.
Both teams quickly set to locking horns testing defences and after a few minutes, Morgan McCoubrey who was back after a spell had the first shot at the Strangford goal but it was held by keeper Luke Shields.
On 10 minutes, Strangford Shea Savage received a cross from the right and his shot came off the keeper but he nailed it second time round.
Downpatrick broke forward in response and a pass to Anthony Carson ran too far for a touch at the Strangford goal.
Gradually Strangford seemed to take the upper hand but Downpatrick were making odd breaks and on one occasion McCoubrey beat the offside trap and fired from the back of the box but was just wide of the left hand post.
Fionn McFall was proving to be a solid anchor back spreading the ball up-field to the front line and wingers as Strangford looked the more dominant side.
On a break Strangford’s Paul Kelly almost headed in with a soft nob but it went the wrong side of the post as they piled on the pressure.
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Captain Conal Fitzsimmons started to come into the game more and had a couple of pops at the Downpatrick goal then eventually he received a cross into the box from the left wing and put it into the back of the Downpatrick net on 30 minutes.
Again Downpatrick pressed forward trying to close the goal difference and captain Aaron McGarry hit a shot but it flew over the top bar.
Eight minutes later Owen Curran added to the Strangford tally by rocketing in a dipping ball from a free kick that came over the heads of the Downpatrick back line.
At the half-time break, Downpatrick still hadn’t scored despite a number of useful runs.
As the second half commenced, the home side came out fighting and after 9 minutes of play referee Aidan Sharvin awarded a penalty to Downpatick when Ronan Cope was taken down in the Strangford box. Cope converted the penalty well puting Downpatrick on the score sheet.
Again Downpatrick pushed forward and Shea Holland passed through to Jack Hynds whose shot was on the wrong side of the Strangford top bar.
Conal Fitzsimmons was making persistent attacks looking threatening and he struck again in the 66th minute when he attacked the Downpatrick goal and managed to work the ball past the defenders and keeper and hit low into the net.
Then in the 84th minute Conal secured his hat-trick when sub Killian Swail floated the ball into the Downpatrick box where he again battled with defenders and got a touch putting the ball over the line. He was then substituted by Stan Marquess.
Almost on the final whistle, Conor Moore received the ball from a kick by Morgan McCoubrey on the left and smashed it into the Strangford net.
Overall, Strangford took their chances and made them work. Conal Fitzsimmons was on fire on the day too. There were good performances from Downpatrick players too but it was one of those days when their game just did not click.
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Downpatrick FC: 1 Taylor Beattie (GK) 2 Nathan McAlister 3 Sean Conway 4 Ronan Cope 5 Conor Moore 6 Jack Hynds 7 Shea Holland 8 Aaron Carberry (C) 9 Caolan Deegan 10 Morgan McCoubrey 11 Anthony Carson. Subs: 14 Declan Dowie 15 Paul Kearney 16 Harry McCarthy.
Strangford FC: 1 Luke Shields (GK) 2 Luc Tolan 3 James Shields 4 Thomas Fitzsimons 5 Fionn McFall 6 Paul Donnelly 7 Shane Teggart 8 Shea Savage 9 Conal Fitzsimmons (C) 10 Owen Curran 11 Conall Black. Subs: 12 Killian Swail 14 Michael Shields 15 Stan Marquess.
