Vital Away Win For The Fourths

By Ryan Donaldson

On Saturday North Down 4ths travelled to play Ballynahinch 2nds. They knew that a win would be a must to put a gap between them and the bottom clubs. However they got off to a poor start and within the first 10 minutes the home side took the lead. This seemed to put some life into the visitors and the 4ths started playing some good hockey and making some good chances.

The visitors equalised through Andrew Haire who took advantage of some good attack play to put the ball in the net. It was then 2-1 after good combination play at a short corner between Andrew Haire and Ryan Donaldson which Haire dispatched to the bottom corner. The halftime break came and in the second half then 4ths made it 3-1 after Haire made a run down the right wing and passed the ball to Michael Orr who had made the run from right back to finish it from the flick spot.

After some pressure and some favourable umpiring decisions the hosts got one back to make it 3-2. It didn’t affect the 4ths and they made it 4-2 after another good run from Andrew Haire into the circle where he passed the ball to Mark Vincent to dispatch from a few yards out. The hosts got a goal back with a minute to go but North Down got the vital 3 points they deserved after a tough game to put them in mid table in the league and a result which will give them confidence for the next game.

Man of the match was Andrew Haire who, with 2 goals and 2 assists, put in a fantastic performance.