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Down hosted Queens 3's this weekend and were prepared for a battle after their narrow 3-2 win at the house of Sport a couple of weeks back.

After deadlock for the first 15 minutes, it was Down who made the first real breakthrough. After a great run, James Erskine found himself free at the top of the circle with only the keeper to beat, he managed to send the keeper the wrong way, however, his shot proved he should stay in defence as the ball travelled well wide of what was an open net!

Down drew confidence and Erskine spread the ball wide to Andrew Ferris who used his pace to beat the Queens defence down the right wing, he delivered a perfect cross to Mark Elliott who slipped the ball past the visiting keeper.

Continuing to apply the pressure Adam McKee used his skill to beat a number of defenders before drawing and lobbing the keeper and allowing Allister Duff to find the net with an excellent deflection.

Andrew Ferris continued to cause problems down the right-hand side and was unlucky not to score on a number of occasions, with the ball narrowly missing at the near post.

Down welcome back the experience of Stevie Fitzsimons who came on in the second half and made his presence felt. Stevie's vision picked out Gavin Ringland on the penalty spot, Big Gav skilfully turned the keeper and flicked the ball into the roof of the net to make it 3 –0.

Queens made several attempts of the Down defence, but with Philip Brown, Davey Ferris and Jeremy McCready all playing well, they were unable to find a way through. A great win for Down who are proving to be the team to beat in this league.

Down played Portrush at home this weekend in the semi-final of the league Cup and were unlucky not to progress to the final. Down were missing their regular keeper, but Phillip Brown put on the pads and did an admiral job for the home side.

The game started, on a cold November afternoon, with both teams making their presence felt. The umpires stepped in to take control of the game with a number of Ports players being asked to take a few minutes on the side-line. But it was Portrush who got the first break in the game, a mistake by Erskine in collecting an aerial ball, and a slip by Paul Neil gave the Portrush the opportunity to get the first score of the game. Down came back strong and applied pressure; McKee picked up the ball and delivered a cross from left field which found Gavin Ringland running in at the back post to even the scores.

The second half saw both teams go on the attack; Down's Mark Elliott came close from 3 yards out but his shot didn't have the legs to cross the line. As down pressed forward, a Portrush counter attack saw a long Ball picked up on the right wing, with a quick cross, Portrush took the lead as their left wing swept the ball in at the back post.

Down threw everything at Portrush, while Elliott and Ringland both came close they couldn't find a way past the Portrush keeper, who had an excellent game. In the last seconds of play, Portrush again made use of the long ball, which found its way into the circle and got the slightest of touches from their forward's stick to make it three one to the visitors.

While Down will be disappointed with the result they can now turn their attention to the league where they continue to impress.