Goalkeeping heroics from Dowling are unable to prevent crushing Racers loss

Dowling made a string of outstanding saves in the first half as Racers went into the break still on terms. However, he was powerless to stop Copsewood turning their superiority into goals after the break.

Dowling was called into action in the fifth minute, producing a fine full-length save to deny the lively Connoll Farrell and then reacting quickest to pounce on the loose ball when the Copsewood striker was presented with a second bite of the cherry.

Racers actually had the clearer sights of goal in the opening 15 minutes with Jake Brown failing to get enough purchase on his shot after beating Copsewood keeper Mitchell Campbell to Niall Gilbride’s through ball and Jamie Corrigan denied at point-blank range after excellent work from Brown.

Dowling then produced an outstanding save to keep out what looked a certain goal for Liam Cairns.

Martin Gormley stabbed wide from close range after beating the offside trap and Danny Fraser became the latest player to have his head in his hands after Dowling produced further heroics in the home goal.

Racers emerged an improved outfit after the interval, with Danny Pitt forcing Campbell into a save at his near post.

The opening goal, when it came, owed little to Copsewood’s pace down the flanks, with Dowling’s poor clearance returned to the feet of Gormley, who had the simple task of slotting past the exposed keeper.

Having taken 58 minutes to break the deadlock, Copsewood wasted little time going for the jugular, with Gormley, Farrell and Fraser making it 4-0 with 15 minutes still left to play.

It looked like the final whistle could not come soon enough for the hosts, but they did produce a late flurry as Copsewood rang the changes, with Corrigan and Pitt missing presentable chances in quick succession and Tez Morton having a shot tipped over.