Double eludes League winners Downpatrick
Downpatrick’s Under 14s suffered another penalty shoot-out heartache against Cregagh Wanderers in the SBYFL Fourth Divisional Cup Final at Bangor FC’s Clandeboye Park.
It is the second time this season that both sides have gone to penalties in a hard-fought game which saw Downpatrick take the lead twice.
Downpatrick’s commanding centre back, Adam Mulhall, opened the scoring with a superb long-range free kick which found the top corner. The Cregagh midfield quartet proved a handful throughout the first half, but it was Downpatrick who created more opportunities when they opened up the east Belfast team’s defence with some searching thru balls for the on-running forward line.
However, Cregagh replied ten minutes later through some good fortune when a slip in the Downpatrick rear guard meant they only had the keeper to beat. Downpatrick looked to regain their lead though a serious of free kicks in a half which saw the two sides cancel each other out all over the park.
The quick Ward Warrek came on at ten minutes into the second half and immediately caused problems for the Cregagh back line. He was rewarded moments later when excellent play down the left side found the tenacious winger who slotted home brilliantly from a tight angle to put Downpatrick ahead again.
However, the lead was short-lived and Cregagh replied from a long free kick which somehow found its way through a crowded penalty area and the blind-sided Downpatrick keeper.
Cregagh continued to push for a winner in the last ten minutes before the referee brought to an end a hard-fought match which went straight to penalties and in favour of the east Belfast outfit.
