Down can't wait for the Senior One season to end.

While the locals have played well in fits and starts, there has been a lack of consistency and commitment at times which has cost the club dear in the final analysis.

Last Friday night at the Comber Leisure Centre Down were walloped 10-0 by the league leaders and while Civil Service took their foot off the gas in the second half, the points were already safely ticked away following a first half blitz which literally blew the locals away.

With still a few games to go Down are playing for pride; they could still pick up a few points as they have to face Portadown, but the club needs to look to the future. Although it's increasingly difficult to find new players, Down need at least three or four new faces for the senior side.

Towe fired Civil Service into a second minute lead last Friday night while 60 seconds later Paul Johnston made it 2-0 when he stopped Aaron Gill's short corner strike to fire the ball past Mark Johnston.

Things went from bad to worse in the eighth minute. Johnston denied Gill with a great save but the visitors were awarded a short corner and while Down's 'keeper and defender Gavin Ringland both blocked shots, the rebound was drilled home by Gill.

The same player made it 4-0 from the penalty spot in the 12th minute after a goal-bound shot struck Down skipper, Jeremy McCready, on the line, with Gill giving Johnston no chance from the spot.

Ross Anderson cracked home his side's fifth goal in the 17th minute and then Johnston scored his second of the game three minutes later to give Civil Service a 6-0 lead.

Eight minutes before the break J. Anderson made it 7-0 from play as Down struggled to get beyond the half-way line as they were pinned back and forced to try and defend in numbers.

The second half was just three minutes old when Gill completed his hat-trick to make it 8-0 and R. Posnett completed the rout with two strikes late on.

Down did create a few half chances in the second period but they never seriously threatened the Civil Service goal. Chris Lennon should have scored while Mark Elliott also went close with one effort.

At the other end, McCready prevented the margin of defeat being increased with several excellent goal-line clearances while 'keeper Johnston also kept the score down with a number of great saves.