Down are just one win away from winning the Senior Two title.

They swept aside the challenge of a gallant Omagh side at Malone Park last weekend, hammering home six superb goals.

And Down would surely have ended the game with their goals tally in double figures had it not been for a brilliant performance by Omagh 'keeper, Bobbie Hawkes. Arguably one of the best netminders in Senior Two, he produced a number of brilliant stops to prevent his side getting a real hiding.

Down's six goals last weekend took their season's tally to 55. They have conceded just seven, but the goal difference column, while very healthy, could be even more positive considering East Antrim pulled out of two games against the league leaders.

Down have just two more games to complete their Senior Two programme and both are against South Antrim who have been neck-and-neck with the Malone Park side all season in the race for the title.

On paper, last weekend's game against Omagh was a potential banana skin for Down who struggled to find their best form early on. Passes were not finding men in the middle of the park and Down, who conceded just two short corners during the entire game, looked a bit rusty.

But once the opening goal went in you could almost feel the sense of relief around the ground.

It came in the 15th minute after Down failed to get a shot in on goal following a short corner. The ball eventually found its way to Gavin Ringland who drilled in a powerful shot which gave Hawkes no chance.

The 'keeper then denied Ashley Gibson and Mark Elliott in quick succession, while a Sinclair White short corner effort was pushed around the post by the netminder.

Five minutes after taking the lead, the home side doubled its advantage. This time White was the man who got his name on the scoresheet with an almost identical shot which saw Ringland break the deadlock.

Gibson produced a perfect reverse stick pass which put White through on goal and just inside the area who unleashed an unstoppable shot which crashed against the backboard.

Down skipper, Jeremy McCready, highlighted the importance of scoring an early third goal during his halftime team talk and brother Jareth duly obliged.

The goal was another stunning strike following a short corner. Jareth's shot was set up by Gibson and McCready drilled the ball past the 'keeper to score an absolute screamer in the 45th minute.

The goal of the game came six minutes later and rightly drew rapturous applause from the home fans.

Skipper McCready started the move on his own 25-yard line. He sprayed the ball wide to Paul Tate who drove forward and picked out Elliott whose clever flick teed up the ball for Gibson to nip in at the near post to score. Brilliant.

With no chance of an Omagh comeback, Down continued to dominate the game, although they were guilty of over-playing at some stages in the final quarter of the game.

Hawkes produced those great saves to frustrate the Down forwards who looked as though they could almost score at will.

Down's 'keeper made his only save of the day in the 60th minute and five minutes later, the home side scored their fifth from the penalty spot. The umpire had no hesitation pointing to the spot after a goal-bound shot struck an Omagh defender, who was standing behind his 'keeper, on the foot.

Gibson stepped forward to place the ball wide of Hawkes for his second of the afternoon and to cap a fine individual performance.

Down's sixth goal came from Chris Taylor who hammered home after he finished off a move involving Jareth McCready.

A comfortable win in the end which leaves on top of the table with just those two games to play against South Antrim. This weekend they can forget about the league and enjoy themselves when they face Parkview in the Senior Two cup.