Narrow win for ladies fourths in Saintfield

North Down ladies fourths played against their friends from Saintfield seconds last Saturday.

A mixed team of school girls and those with a little more experience spent the first quarter of the game finding their feet. They soon settled down and delivered some beautiful hockey to their spectators from well drilled passing between Leah Drysdale and Kate McConnell down the right hand side and Cara Murray on the left who never gave up and was successful in winning her battles against the home team’s midfield. Julie Fisher controlled the play in centre mid creating many opportunities for North Down’s forward line to penetrate the circle. North Down won several short corners which were strongly launched out from the baseline by Kenzi Fisher but the girls positioned at the top of the circle could not break through Saintfield’s defence.

In the third quarter the Comber girls were determined to change the 0-0 scoreboard and were soon to be rewarded from a ball fed into the scoring zone by Julie Fisher, collected by Laura McMaw who found that unguarded space pushing the ball into the net.  The run of play changed direction in the fourth quarter as the Saintfield girls looked for an equaliser but the North Down defence of Keri Portinga, Charlotte Walker and Anna Rogers dug deep chasing every threatening ball holding up strong resistance against the home team’s heavy artillery. The final score was 1-0 to the visitors.

Burch Autos Player of the Match was Leah Drysdale.