Disappointing result for Downshire

DOWNSHIRE YM 1

A DISAPPOINTING result for Downshire as they battled back after a dreadful start and at the end were unfortunate not to claim at least a share of the points.

The home side began the brighter as Downshire were slow to understand their new formation and Ryan Woods was forced into a couple of smart saves to keep the scores level. Marty Chappell has also been in superb form of late and he was again in the thick of things to keep the Bangor forwards at bay.

However, somewhat against the run of play, the Reds might have taken the lead, a terrific cross drilled in by Tony Cheevers was met by Rafferty but the header flew narrowly over, this gave Downshire some confidence and a lovely pass over the home defence by Johnnie Gibson gave Davis a run but the keeper just managed to get a hand on the ball and then Rafferty shot over. Just on the half hour Bangor broke away along the left and as a shot from the edge of the box headed goalwards Darryl Nelson got across to make a brilliant clearance. Towards the end of the half McIlroy played a sharp pass into Rafferty who flicked the ball onto Davis to turn and shoot wide.

Early in the second half Bangor took the lead and this led to a shake-up in the Downshire formation, the new look had a more attacking aspect and Gibson was able to spray some passes behind the Bangor defence to allow Downshire’s pace to exploit. Ryan Mulholland worked hard and was unlucky as he evaded his marker to get in a good strike that the keeper was equal to. Warren Penny then was able to put further pressure on the home side and some neat flicks caused problems to create chances for Gibson, Davis and Ryder, Perry McIlroy then flashed a free kick just wide. With the game heading to a close Downshire were denied by brilliant save. A determined run by Graeme Davis created space and when he laid the ball back to Johnnie Gibson, the big midfielder struck it perfectly from thirty yards with pace and swerve by magically the Bangor keeper got across his goal to tip the ball round the post.

This Saturday Downshire travel to Bloomfield with the seconds at home to Mossley.