Good away win for ladies thirds

North Down thirds completed a home and away league double over Greenisland seconds at Carrickfergus Leisure Centre last Saturday.

Greenisland started well on top but North Down soon picked up their play with the defence working the ball out to the midfield and strikers. The majority of Greenisland’s attacking play was down the North Down left so left back Keri Portinga was much in evidence counter attacking through Natalie Strain and Ali Millar. Greenisland then conceded the first goal when right wing Naomi Mitchell passed the ball across the circle to Natalie Strain who had no problem finding the back board.  Before half time North Down were working well together and managed to win a series of penalty corners the last of which was hit out by Kathryn Rogers to Keri Burnside who fired it home and North Down went into half time 2-0 up.

Greenisland stepped up their game into the second half and eventually tempers flared as Greenisland won a series of penalty corners.  They had a ‘goal’ disallowed as the whistle had already been blown for another corner.  The resulting dispute between the home coach and umpire could only go one way and the coach left the pitch with the home captain being carded. The final corner resulted in a penalty stroke and goalkeeper Linda Marshall was unlucky not to keep it out after getting a touch on it. Greenisland spent the remainder of the game searching for the equaliser but in the end their lack of discipline and structure gave North Down one more chance to attack and Ali Millar got North Down’s third goal on the final whistle after a one on one with the goalkeeper.

Player of the Match: Naomi Mitchell