Part of the pitch was under a film of water at the start of play in this Senior Two clash but when it drained, so did the home side's resistance.

Down, who had one eye on this weekend’s derby tie against Ballynahinch, took the lead in the fourth minute and there was no way back for Parkview, even at this early stage of the game.

Chris Taylor and the irrepressible Mark Elliott combined to set up Sinclair White at the top of the penalty area and when the big man pulled the trigger it looked as though his shot would fly narrowly wide. However, the alert William Fryer was on hand and unmarked at the back post to tuck the ball home for the opener.

The conditions were horrendous for both teams but, to their credit, they battled on and deserve great credit for doing so as the rain came down in torrents.

Two minutes after taking the lead Down made it 2-0 from a short corner. Chris Taylor’s push out was stopped by Gavin Ringland who slipped the ball to White and, with the Parkview defenders stuck on the goal-line, Sinclair had the easy task of picking his spot.

A Parkview player was red-carded for dissent a few minutes later and the hill the home side had to climb suddenly became a mountain.

Tate scored the goal-of-the-game in the 16th minute. A mazy run took him past three defenders and once inside the penalty area he unleashed a shot which whizzed past the 'keeper before he had time to move.

Parkview did pull a goal back within 15 minutes of the restart courtesy of some uncharacteristically poor defending, but Down's three-goal advantage was quickly restored.

Taylor and White exchanged passes to cut a huge hole in the Parkview defence with White finishing the move in style when he drilled home. Tate and White then combined for the fifth goal which was scored by Tate, rounding off his impressive performance.

Elliott, Tate, White and Taylor were all outstanding and the quartet are looking forward to going toe-to-toe with derby rivals Down at Malone Park this Saturday in what promises to be a cracker.

The Malone Park outfit will be hoping to be at full strength for the clash and will be out to avenge defeat at the hands of their derby rivals in the Sussex Cup earlier in the season.