Wellington's woe as goals have dried up

Downpatrick 3

Wellington Rec 1

IT was just as well Wellington Rec enjoyed a one-goal midweek win at Holywood FC because, with the bottom four all winning on Saturday, Jim Hagan’s side slip down one place to 11th in the Premier Division, after this defeat by Downpatrick in Crossgar.

As Jim reflected afterwards: “We controlled most of the game and played reasonably well considering the conditions, but we didn’t take our chances and we conceded two of the worst goals we’ve given away all season.”

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Wellington edged the opening session, but the goals have dried up somewhat for the Millbrookers in recent weeks. The last time they scored more than once in a league game was when an Andy Bell double gave them a home victory over Dromara Village away back in mid-February. Counting Saturday’s effort, three of their last four goals scored have come courtesy of Gary Barkley penalties.

Granted, against a lesser keeper Paul Maguire might have had at least two first-half goals, although he might have done better than to spoon one over from just 10 yards out.

At the other end Steven Adair, deputising for the injured Steven Mills, pulled off a fine save to defy Galbraith.

Down, with the wind at their backs, breezed into the lead on 65 minutes, with Barry Fitzsimmons flashing a cross straight in to the net, although keeper Adair was surely distracted by a home forward in an offside position, but not, according to the referee, interfering with play.

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Five minutes later, Wellington were back on terms; Barkley banging home a penalty after Andy Bell had been brought down inside the box.

Again it was Wellington who were looking the more likely, only for Downpatrick to pinch the lead; Telford beating Adair at his near post and it really was all over once Downpatrick added a third five minutes from time, with the keeper pawing a high cross from Tracey into his own net.

Wellington are in action again on Thursday night, with a trip to Paisley Park to meet Albert Foundry, before the visit of Killyleagh Youth Club to Brookvale Park on Saturday.

Wellington Rec; Adair – C Cowie, S Cowie, C Wilkinson, Mulvenna – J McAllister, Todd, Barkley, Nelson (McCormick) – Bell, Maguire. Subs (unused) Gary Montgomery, Thompson.