Thirds fight back to draw
Mens thirds hosted Kilkeel seconds on Saturday, a warm up against their upcoming League Cup Final opposition. North Down got off to the brighter start moving the ball well and a good passing move deserved more with Daniel Griffin coming close on the goal line with a last ditch clearance keeping the scores level. Sam Pyper looked sure to score at the back post soon after but a Kilkeel touch deflected onto the striker’s foot. All square at the end of the quarter but the hosts looked to be on top.
Kilkeel grew into the game soon after the break and went one up with a well executed drag flick from a short corner. With momentum on their side they soon made it 2 with a well worked play round the back of the North defence. The heads didn’t drop and North Down got back into the game immediately when Jonny Proctor found Finn Cross making a good run into the area with an even better finish. 2-1 at half time to the visitors
The thirds rallied at half time and Jonny Green started to control the centre of the pitch. A disguised long pass found Ben Bond at the top of the area. A sublime first touch sent the defender the wrong way and committed the goal keeper to charge out taking no ball but all of the forward. A penalty stroke was awarded and skipper Pyper did the needful finding the side netting and making it 2-2.
With the hosts now on top was a winner on the cards? A good series of passes found Pyper along the byline who pulled back for Bond. A swing and a miss let the ball run through to Cross who found himself in a similar position than that of the first half and the youngster finished well again. A goal was awarded followed by a melee of players surrounding the home umpire. Both umpires in discussions and a very disgruntled Kilkeel side up in arms. In the good spirit of the game, captain Pyper threw the ball back for a hit out.
It ended with a fair draw and a good point.
Burch Autos Man of the Match: Finn Cross
23Sam Brown, Keith Conway and 21 others
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