Down dominate but Brazilians show their class in front of goal

Desportivo Brasil 2

DOWN’S Premier side were extremely unfortunate to lose 2-0 to Desportivo Brasil at the Limavady Showgrounds on Tuesday evening.

The locals enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but couldn’t convert their chances.

The Brazilians created the first opening of the match after only two minutes. Gladestony got in behind the County Down defence but steered his shot wide of Andrew Wallace’s net.

Scott Burns had a speculative shot a minute later with Desportivo’s keeper Cleyton saving comfortably. Burns was starting to pull the strings in midfield and he had Cleyton scrambling to cover his ground in the seventh minute. His shot however whizzed narrowly over the Desportivo crossbar.

Curtis Gallacher was next to try his luck from range on sixteen minutes but again the shot sailed over.

Desportivo went in front against the run of play following a terrific move down the left. Lucas shook off the attention of two Down defenders before picking out Gustavo who smashed a glorious shot into the bottom corner.

Chris Curran-Cochrane and Glenn Stephenson were introduced in the second half and County Down continued to enjoy plenty of possession.

Full-back Mark Forsythe found space in the 45th minute but sliced his effort wide.

Kurtis Bell made a terrific goal-line clearance from Lucas with seven minutes remaining to keep the local lads in the game.

Substitute Sean Morgan laid a 64th minute pass to Kyle Cherry who cracked a shot just over the bar with Down looking dangerous.

However, a defensive mistake involving Rory Battersby and Steven Gordon allowed Orlando to round Wallace in the Down goal and slot in a second for the Brazilians with three minutes to go.

Team: Wallace, Battersby, Bell, Robinson, Gordon, Forsythe, Burns, Cherry, Jackson, Craig, Gallacher. Subs: Morgan, Stephenson, Curran-Cochrane,

Subs not used: Harrison, Healey, Allen.