Match Report

Having to play this home game at Downshire, because the first team were at Ballyskeagh, the Whites never settled in the first half, being completely dominated by an older stronger Downshire team who could have scored more than the one they did. This happened in the fifteenth minute when Bingham was caught, out on the right and the home winger ran on, crossed, and with the Whites defence all over the place, the unmarked forward slotted the ball past the Magill into the net. The home team missed more chances to put the game beyond the young Whites, but they failed to capitalise on their good play. The home keeper was never troubled in the first half.

Using all the substitutes, the Whites began to play better in the second half and Patton was unlucky when the home keeper brought off a “Banks” like save down low to his right, when the ball was destined for the bottom corner, a superb save. Then McGaharan was denied a clear cut penalty, when he was brought down in the box, but the referee waved play on, much to the annoyance of the Whites, who were now putting pressure on the home team. Black then put one over the bar, and Bond’s super free kick struck the cross bar and went over, with the keeper well beaten. Then as the Whites continued to press forward, the inevitable happened, with five minutes left on the clock, the home team broke down the right, and from what looked an offside position, pushed the ball past the keeper, to seal the win.

Managers Comments

We tried to match Downshire in a battle of strength, in the first half, and lost out badly, on a heavy pitch, which suited the stronger, older home team. The second half we played better but could not find the net at the important time, and lost out to a goal in the last five minutes, and there was no way back. Having to play away, meant we lost out on the Ballyskeagh ground, which would probably have suited us better, as we are a passing team rather than a physical side. Six changes in the starting line up, from the previous game did not help, and six inexperienced youth team players in the squad meant we did not have the guile in the side to cope with the conditions and the physical aspect of the game. Our midfield was off song and we lacked the firepower of Brannigan and Kerr up front, and were deservedly well beaten in the end.

David Taylor