County Down vs AS Roma USA – Junior section match report

Jul 30, 2015 | Junior Section

County Down came out on top against AS Roma in a close encounter in the Junior Section in Broughshane to progress to the Dale Farm Globe final.

Dean Truesdale was first to threaten for the local county side, but his effort landed off target on four minutes.  Roma then fashioned an opportunity of their own through a cross from Matt Hundley but Josh Sargent’s header flew just over the bar.

Roma began to exert a spell of pressure and went close through a goalmouth scramble which eventually resulted in right back Tommy Devizio blazing the ball just wide of the far post.  Down eventually began to reassert their authority on proceedings and missed a golden chance on 18 minutes when Alex McIlmail headed Jack Chambers’ crossed free kick over the bar.

The county side did not panic, however, and took control of the game in the second half.  The first goal arrived with 41 minutes on the clock, man of the match Leo Brown turned a Roma defender in the box before goalkeeper Hunter Pinho parried the ball right into the path of Tom Mathieson to smash the ball home with aplomb and give Down a deserved lead.

At this stage Roma were struggling to get a foothold in the game and fell further behind six minutes later when Andrew Gordon collected the ball in midfield before confidently striding forward and producing a smart finish into the bottom corner to wrap up the game for his side and ensure County Down progress to the final of the Dale Farm Globe at Riada Stadium, Ballymoney tomorrow (kick off 11am) where they will face Rangers.  AS Roma USA will take on Sydney FC in the 3rd/4th place play off at Anderson Park, Coleraine (kick off 1.30pm).

Jordan Miller