Downpatrick in Border decider

Downpatrick in Border decider

3 December 2014

DOWNPATRICK secured their place in the Border Cup final with Ards Rangers after a hard fought win over Crumlin Star at Seaview last Wednesday night.

For all of Downpatrick’s ability and class to control games and score goals this season, it was true grit and team work that earned them their place in the Christmas decider.

If the truth be told, the opening 15 minutes were nowhere near the standard Downpatrick have set this season and it took Michael McKenna to produce some solid moments between the posts to keep his side in it.

They were struck a serious blow when midfield maestro Conor McKenna suffered a nasty knee injury and had to be replaced on 20 minutes by Chrissy Mullan.

If that setback wasn’t bad enough, captain Mark Curran suffered the same fate five minutes later and was replaced by Eoin Boyle.

Both face a race against time to be fit for the final.

The pace of the game was frantic and both teams were showing their passing qualities.

As the half went on Downpatrick started to take control and chances from Andrew Telford, Mark Holland and Peter Telford were wasted.

Just before half time Barry Treacy skinned his marker down the right hand side and slipped the ball to Andrew Telford whose low drive was saved by the Crumlin Star ‘keeper.

The resulting corner was swung in by Treacy and Peter Telford was on hand to steer the ball into the net with his right foot to open the scoring.

At the start of the second half both teams settled quickly and began to pass the ball better, but Crumlin Star where finding it hard to get any joy out of Downpatrick’s back four of Terence Bell, Blaine Connolly, Aaron McGarry and Mark Holland.

Peter Telford and Treacy had shots from the edge of the area just sail over the bar and a strong penalty appeal waved away after a foul on Chrissy Mullan.

It seemed like only a matter of time before Downpatrick settled the game, but the final pass was missing when needed most.

Two blinding saves from Andrew Telford and Eoin Boyle efforts kept Crumlin Star’s hopes alive, but Peter Telford and the outstanding Andy Baggley had tightened their grip on the midfield battle.

A triple substitution from Crumlin Star was their last throw of the dice, but they had their hearts well and truly broken by a stubborn Downpatrick team who closed down and blocked every half chance they tried to create.

On 90 minutes Downpatrick made sure they reached Christmas final with a second goal.

Niall Walsh, who had earlier replaced Bell in defence, played a long free which was flicked on by Andrew Telford towards Eoin Boyle.

The Crumlin Star defender was favourite to get to the ball, but was caught in two minds and Boyle took control of the situation to take the ball away and showed great composure to slip the ball past the ‘keeper to send the mass crowd of Downpatrick supports into raptures.

Final score: Downpatrick 2 Crumlin Star 0

Downpatrick FC: M. McKenna, T. Bell, B. Connolly, M. Curran, M. Holland, A. Baggley, B. Treacy, C. McKenna, P. Telford, A. Telford, A. McGarry. Subs: E. Boyle, C. Mullan, N. Walsh.