Lisburn fall to narrow defeat in inaugural intercampus challenge match!
SERC Lisburn 2 SERC Downpatrick 3
Wednesday 7th October marked the dawn of a new era, when South Eastern Regional College (SERC) held its first intercampus challenge game, pitting a new look Lisburn campus team with a strong and experienced Downpatrick campus team. A five goal thriller was played out as Downpatrick took the honours and campus bragging rights at the with a 3-2 victory.
Lisburn started the game the brighter with Mark Woods and Dean Heasly dominating the midfield and creating chances for attackers Ashley Beck and Adam McDowell who failed to capitalise on poor Downpatrick defending.
After failing to make the most of their early dominance Lisburn fell behind conceding directly from a corner kick. From the corner the ball was driven into the box and a mix-up between defender and goalkeeper resulted in the opening goal of the tie. Downpatrick took heart from the early fortune and began to exert their dominance on the game, assured defending by Lisburn defenders Matty Gilvary and Jonny Dixon preventing them extending their lead.
Midway through the half, after surviving the Downpatrick onslaught, Lisburn drew level with a fine piece of individual play from Ashley Beck. Beck intercepted a kick from the Downpatrick goalkeeper and slotted home comfortably to level the game at one goal a piece.
Springing Lisburn into life the action went from end to end until just before the break when Downpatrick where awarded a penalty, centre back Gilvary was adjudged to have held striker Owen Boyle in the penalty area. Boyle calmly converted the resulting penalty to leave the half time score 2-1 to Downpatrick.
At half time Lisburn made wholesale changes to the line up which seemed to affect the balance of the team. Downpatrick made the most of Lisburn’s problems and extended the lead to 3-1 when the ball was spectacularly driven into the net from fully 30 yards leaving the keeper with no chance – a fully deserved goal for the dominate leaders.
After the early set back and a few inspired substitutions by coach Ronan McAnespy, which gave the Lisburn side a more balanced look, they managed to take control of the game. Going from strength to strength with wave after wave of attack, Lisburn bombarded the Downpatrick defence and eventually got the goal they deserved with twenty minutes to play when substitute Kenny Gracey outmuscled the defence to acrobatically fire home to make the score 3-2.
As the game entered the final quarter Lisburn, taking confidence from their second goal, drove forward in search of an equaliser, mesmerising the Downpatrick defence with skilled passing and individual pieces of brilliance. However, the Downpatrick rearguard stood strong, with their goalkeeper in inspired form, pulling off a string of top drawer saves to deny the goal hungry Lisburn strikers.
Downpatrick came away eventual 3-2 winners in the inaugural intercampus match-up in what was a fine example of competitive football from both teams. Thanks to the players and coaching staff involved for a fantastic day and all the best for the season ahead.