NAFL Premier Division
League Match
Malachians 3 Downpatrick FC 9
Downpatrick returned from Belfast on Saturday with a more than convincing victory against Malachians in absolutely appalling conditions, driving rain and swirling wind. The visitors got off to the best possible start with a goal from midfielder Ricky Kerr in the opening ten minutes. A quick throw in down the right hand side saw Kerr on the edge of the 18 yard box and he superbly lobbed the Malachians keeper.
A quick fire double from winger Aaron McGarry put Downpatrick in a commanding position. Ruairi Fitzpatrick beat his marker in midfield before playing in striker Eoin Boyle down the right wing. Boyle composed himself before crossing the ball where McGarry won the ball at the front post and delivered a brilliant header to give the home keeper no chance. Two minutes later he scored his second of the game, this time Kerr was the provider and the ball went to the back post. McGarry timed his run perfectly for a diving header into the back of the net.
A good build up play between Barry Treacy and Terence Bell saw Bell break into the box and the right back had the presence to spot Boyle lurking just inside the penalty spot and delivered an inch perfect pass. Boyle struck the ball first time with his left foot across the keeper into the bottom corner.
Half Time: Malachians 0 v Downpatrick FC 4
Within five minutes of the restart, Downpatrick killed the game off with their fifth of the game and McGarry’s hat-trick. Again Ricky Kerr had the assist, he played a through ball for the winger to race onto and as the Malachian keeper came out McGarry slid the ball underneath him for his third of the game. Malachians pulled a goal back after Downpatrick failed on several occasions to clear the ball and the Malachians strikers shot deflected of a defender and into the net giving Downpatrick’s Michael McKenna no chance.
On the hour mark Downpatrick introduced all three substitutes and it didn’t take long for Peter Telford to get in on the act. The big striker raced onto a Christian Holland cross to chest the ball into the net at the back post. Two minutes later Treacy got his first of the game, latching onto a through ball from Andy Baggley to slide the ball under the Malachians keeper.
A quick counter attack saw Downpatrick have a three-on-one opportunity with Fitzpatrick spear-heading the attack, the young midfielder had Stephen Galbraith and Telford as options. He drew the defender and passed the ball to Telford who rounded the keeper and passed the ball into the net to make it 8 – 1.
The final goal of the game was scored by Barry Treacy. Downpatrick took a quick corner and the ball was passed back to Treacy and his cross-come-shot flew into the top corner. As the game entered the final few minutes Malachians scored two quick goals to reduce the arrears.
Downpatrick: 1) M McKenna 2) T Bell 3) C Holland 4) B Fitzsimons 5) B Connolly 6) R Fitzpatrick 7) B Treacy 8) R Kerr 9) S Galbraith 10) E Boyle 11) A McGarry 12) P Telford 14) A Baggley 15) C McDowell
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