Juniors are stung by the Hornets

COUNTY Down fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Watford at Anderson Park in Coleraine on Monday afternoon.

The sides were evenly matched for much of the contest, but Down lacked that killer instinct in front of goal.

Jamie Sharvin fired County Down’s first shot in anger after five minutes - his effort deflecting out for a corner. Sharvin then failed to connect with a cross from Kurtis Coffey on the right as the locals pressed for the opener.

Striker Rossa Murray teed up Ethan Knipe four minutes before half-time on the edge of the area. Knipe’s shot was bound for the bottom corner but the Watford keeper got down at the last second to tip the ball around the post.

Watford were rejuvenated after the break. Down stopper John Gunning made a superb reaction save with his feet seconds into the half to deny Alexander Jakubiak.

Rossa Murray then had a glorious chance to break the deadlock in the 33rd minute. Murray was forced wide by Daniel Wilks in the Watford goal and could only watch as his effort squirmed the wrong side of the far post.

Moments later, Watford scored what proved to be the decisive goal. County Down failed to clear a corner on the left and bustling defender DeReece Vanderhyde slammed the ball in off the bottom of the post.

Johnny Kane and John Gunning excelled at the back for the locals. Gunning made two fabulous saves in the latter stages of the match. His heroics however couldn’t prevent County Down falling to a slender opening day defeat.

Team: Gunning, Shields, Hunsdale, Kane, McBride, TJ Murray, McGonigle, Coffey, Knipe, Sharvin, R Murray. Subs: Harwood, Savage, McMillan, Geddis.

Unused subs: Campbell, McGrath, MacKenzie.