Olympic Hold On For Important Win Against Downpatrick 2nds

Downpatrick’s title hopes where hit a massive blow when they were beaten for only the second time in two seasons at home in the league by a hard working Olympic side at Dunleath Park on Saturday.

[caption id="attachment_46189" align="alignleft" width="390"] Tony McShane of Downpatroick FC receives a match sponsorship cheque from Mark Murphy of Murphy’s Stores.[/caption]

Downpatrick started briskly and should have been two up in the opening minutes but on both occasions the Olympic defence managed to scramble the ball clear. There was not much football being played and Olympic were spoiling all the home team attempts to do so. Because of this it became a scrappy affair with both teams humping long balls forward in hope that the opposition would make a mistake and that’s exactly Downpatrick did.  With a mix up in the Downpatrick defence the Olympic striker couldn’t believe his luck when the ball fell between him and Kevin Gracey in the defence with him running clear to make no mistake with a cool finish past the outrushing Robbie Hagan.

This seemed to give Downpatrick a kick start that they needed and they scored the equaliser five minutes later when Sean McMahon (senior) broke down the right flank on to a through ball from Matthew McGarrity and delivered a superb cross on to Seany McMahon’s (junior) head around the penalty spot and he powerfully headed home to give the visiting goalkeeper no chance.

Downpatrick were guilty of switching off and some schoolboy defending lead to Olympic second goal from a corner when the Olympic striker rose unmarked at the six yard box with a powerful header to make it 1-2 at half time.

Half Time: Downpatrick FC  1  Ballynahinch Olympic 2nds  2

Downpatrick started well in the second half and got on level terms with a great goal after Neil Young gave a superb pass into McMahon who beat two men and unleashed a strike into the top corner from the edge of the box. This was as good as it got for Downpatrick when they were caught sleeping again from a set peace and the striker completed his hat trick with another great header but yet again the Downpatrick defence failed to pick him up.

Downpatrick huffed and puffed for the remainder of the game but any chances that came their way were squandered unnecessarily and although it was like the alamo in the last twenty minutes. Olympic held on for a deserved three points. Best for Downpatrick was Young and goalscorer McMahon

Downpatrick: 1) R Hagan, 2) M Burns, 3) J Kent, 4) K Gracey, 5) V Perry, 6) P Brady, 7) S McMahon Snr, 8) M McGarrity, 9)N Young, 10) S McMahon, 11) C McDowell, 12) S Matheson, 13) G Ross, 14) C Kerr.