Holland inspires draw

Holland inspires draw

24 August 2016

DOWNPATRICK came back from 3-1 down to snatch a point away to newly-promoted Lisburn Rangers.

Downpatrick started the game poorly and went behind after eight minutes. Lisburn broke down the right wing and their right winger pulled the ball back into the middle of the box for their striker to shoot first time past Michael McKenna.

Downpatrick were only behind for two minutes. Aaron McGarry surged down the left wing and sent an inviting ball into the box. Barry Treacy, who came in off the right wing, hit a left-footed shot which deflected off Andy Baggley and into the net. 

Lisburn went back in front five minutes later. Downpatrick failed to close the ball down on the edge of the box and a shot was deflected out for a corner. From the resultant set piece, McKenna felt he was impeded and the Lisburn striker tapped the ball into the net.

Downpatrick fell further behind before the break. A long, searching ball was whipped in from deep and the Downpatrick defence, marshalled by Matthew Carson, cleared the ball and pushed up. 

Lisburn regained possession immediately and played a through ball to their striker who appeared to be four or five yards offside, but he took the ball into the box before beating McKenna, much to the frustration of the Downpatrick players.

Managers Joe McMahon and Kevin Trueman read the riot act at half-time, introduced Mark Holland and went three at the back. This did the trick and within five minutes got back into the game. 

Baggley and Treacy combined with the latter’s perfect cross picking out Holland and he buried the ball in the net on the volley.

Downpatrick put the Lisburn defence under a lot of pressure and Holland and McGarry both saw headers saved and Conor McCarron had an opportunity which wasn’t converted. Downpatrick then suffered a hammer blow on the 70 minute mark when Lisburn were awarded a penalty against the run of play and made it 4-2.

Five minutes later Mark Holland scored his second of the game. Downpatrick saw a shot from Stephen Galbraith comfortably saved by the Lisburn ‘keeper. With all the players turning and running out only Holland was alert to any danger.

The ‘keeper made a mess of the clearance the ball and the Downpatrick player controlled the ball on his chest before volleying it into the back of the net.

Downpatrick had the chance to equalise. Neil Teggart whipped in a free kick which found its way to Galbraith, but the Downpatrick striker was unable to divert it past the home ‘keeper. 

Two minutes later Downpatrick got the all important equaliser. Teggart made a surging run and beat two players before spotting Terence Bell in the clear. 

Bell showed great composure as he took the ball under contrail before beating the Lisburn ‘keeper.

McCarron had the chance to be a hero when he cut in along the 18 yard box, but his effort was saved.

Downpatrick: M McKenna, S Douglas, B Connolly, M Carson, N Taggart, A Baggley, B Treacy, A McCoubrey, S Galbraith, C McCarron, A McGarry. Subs: M Holland, T Bell, C Holland. 

Lisburn Rangers 4

Downpatrick FC 4

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