County Down 2
Charlton Athletic 0
By Harvey Latimer
County Down made it two wins from two games after an impressive showing against Charlton Athletic in Portrush, with goals from Corey McBride and Mason Ayre securing the victory.
Both sides came into this fixture with opening day victories and it was the English side that created the early chances. Lively winger Kelechi French dragged his shot from the edge of the penalty area just wide, before Theo Laronde saw his powerful effort fly just over the crossbar.
The first opportunity for the county side came after ten minutes and was clinically taken by Corey McBride, netting his second goal in consecutive games. The striker made the run off the shoulder of the defender to race onto a forward ball and finish past Addicks goalkeeper Finlay Lapper.
As the half went on, Down looked stronger. It was very nearly two but for Lapper saving with his legs to deny Adam Nelson, and then tipping Nelson’s free kick around the post. But the golden opportunity for Charlton to equalise came five minutes before the break. Lauren Rodrigues de Castro glided past Trainor and drew the foul from the Down defender giving the referee no option but to point to the spot. The winger stepped up to take the spot kick, however Down keeper’ Matthew Belshaw guessed correctly and saved from twelve yards.
Down pushed on in the second thirty-five as Sammy McFadden’s men knew the importance of the next goal, and it came courtesy of Mason Ayre. The Glentoran man intercepted a poor pass before venturing on a mazy run and firing past Lapper from a tight angle to put his side two ahead.
The Londoners looked for a way back into the game but couldn’t muster anything against a resolute Down team. The back four of Mercer, Hashim, Patterson and Trainor were well organised and shut down any threat of a Charlton fightback. Down almost added a third late in the game. Mercer got forward from left back to pull the ball back to Rory Prenter who saw his effort whistle past the post.
A result of huge importance for County Down who know a positive result against Celtic on Wednesday morning could land them in the cup section of the tournament. Meanwhile, Charlton Athletic will look to return back to winning ways against another county opposition as they face County Armagh.