Downpatrick cruise into next round of Clarke Cup

Downpatrick cruise into next round of Clarke Cup

18 January 2023

DOWNPATRICK eased into the next round of the Harry Clarke Cup following a comfortable victory over league rivals Saintfield United thirds at Dunleath playing fields on Saturday afternoon.

Tony Carson was denied a hat-trick courtesy of a missed penalty but Downpatrick will not be too disheartened as striker Dylan Kelly and defender Brian Kennedy chipped in with goals of their own for a resounding win.

Although sunny, playing conditions were testing for both teams as a stiff, cold breeze meant passing needed to be accurate and decision making had to be sharp at pivotal moments.

Downpatrick began the game without defender Conor Moore, who opted to to the bench after a niggle in his ankle made him second guess aggravating a potential injury.

This was welcomed news for the Saints as Moore has been enjoying a bit of a hot-streak at the moment, netting twice in the last two weeks.

However, this didn’t prevent Downpatrick from going on the attack early, forcing Saintfield to soak up the pressure from the onset.

The first real chance of substance fell to the hosts after 11 minutes, but Ethan Artt’s attempt went wide of the post.

Saintfield attacker Matthew Alexander was battling hard for the visitors and won a free-kick in reply in a dangerous looking area.

The in-swinging delivery was collected confidently by Downpatrick ‘keeper Ruairi Murphy as Saintfield midfielder Calum McGreevy threatened to pounce on any mistakes.

From this passage of play, Downpatrick turned defence into attack and opened the scoring.

A through ball from striker Kelly to team-mate Carson allowed the Downpatrick number ten to knock the ball past onrushing Saints ‘keeper Lee Young before calmly slotting home from a tight angle.

What followed in the next ten minutes was a purple patch for the Saints, who were afforded a number of opportunities to go level.

Firstly, Sam Donnan’s free-kick whistled wide from range before another set piece from the Saintfield number seven just missed the head of team-mate Andrew Porter, who was mere yards from goal.

Saintfield seemed to be enjoying a sustained period of pressure but their fortune would change after a piercing run from Downpatrick’s Con Farrell ended with the midfielder being unfairly clattered inside the box.

The inform Carson stepped up to take the spot kick but his effort was tame and comfortably saved by custodian Young.

Downpatrick continued to press in search of adding to their tally, with Morgan Fitzpatrick and man of the match Nathan McAlister proving to be a headache in particular.

The midfield area was also well marshalled by skipper Adrian McCoubrey, who won the majority of his aerial battles and created a number of chances for his forward line.

Things went from bad to worse for the Saints as Duncan Spence was forced off the pitch just before the interval with an injury to his elbow.

As play resumed after the half, it didn’t take long for Downpatrick to grab their second.

This time Carson made no mistake after pouncing on a defensive error and kept his cool to strike into the bottom left corner.

His strike partner Kelly could have added another goal just moments later, although on this occasion his effort was well saved by ‘keeper Young.

Saintfield’s McGreevy, who was his team’s standout player, refused to let his head drop and, to his credit, continued to attack.

However, Downpatrick just seemed to be in control of the contest.

With 20 minutes to go the hosts had their third goal of the afternoon, with Kelly the scorer.

Midfielder McCoubrey lofted an inviting ball over the Saintfield backline which marksman Kelly latched onto, before cutting backwards and finishing to the near post.

Saintfield did have an opportunity to respond, although this chance was missed as Cal Rowland’s poked effort went wide of the target.

With the clock ticking down there was just enough time for Downpatrick to grab a fourth.

McAlister’s inviting corner-kick delivery was met by defender Kennedy, who powered his header into the back of the net.

A few half chances followed, but in truth these may have been harsh on a Saintfield side who just seemed to lose their way in the second half. 

Downpatrick: R Murphy, L Kearney, B Kennedy, R Cassidy, M Fitzpatrick, A McCoubrey (capt), N McAlister, C Farrell, D Kelly, T Carson, E Artt.

Subs: D McKibben, L Mitchell, C Rogan.

Saintfield: L Young, D Spence, D Small, J Gallagher (capt), L Speier, C McGreevy, S Donnan, A Porter, C Rowland, M Alexander, A Hammerton.

Subs: L J Orsi, J Barr, R Dickson.