Murray’s hat-trick puts Norwegians to the sword

County Down Premier 3

Revo Express 1

TJ Murray hit a brilliant hat-trick as County Down’s Premier side came from a goal down to beat their Norwegian opponents.

With a minute played, Conor McMenamin rattled the Revo crossbar as Down signalled their intent early on.

The Norweigans took an unexpected lead three minutes later when Magnus Hjorland took Craig Barnett by surprise with a long range free-kick.

McMenamin brought a good save from Revo keeper Pal-Andre Johannesen after ten minutes as Down pressed for an equaliser.

The County Down pressure continued and midway through the opening half McMenamin picked out TJ Murray who sent his header agonisingly wide of the far post.

Down’s equaliser arrived on the stroke of half-time. The alert McMenamin robbed Moen, before teeing up Murray to slide past Johannesen and into the corner.

Jamie Sharvin tried his luck three minutes into the second-half, whizzing a left foot shot just over.

Revo very nearly regained the lead after 45 minutes. Jonas Christensen struck the outside of Barnett’s front post.

Down conjured up a fantastic goal to go in front for the first time two minutes later. A dropping ball fell to Murray who smashed a half-volley into the corner.

Murray got his third with 18 minutes remaining. McMenamin crossed from the left and Murray volleyed home from six yards.

Padraig McGrath flashed a volley over the Revo Express crossbar in the closing stages as County Down cantered to victory.

Team: Barnett, Shields, McGrath, Hunsdale, Harwood, Sharvin, Devine, McMenamin, Murray, Knipe, Mallen. Subs: Salatka, Kane, Coffey, McClelland, McAleese, Bradley