Mens 1st XI Maintain Pressure On League Leaders

By Robin Mitchell

A 4-2 victory against joint second placed Newry ensures North Down maintain pressure on leaders Raphoe who will host North Down next week.

North Down were quickest out of the blocks and put early pressure on the Newry defence.From a corner awarded after 7 minutes they were unlucky not to take the lead.Conways initial shot rattled the post and then he thumped the rebound of the bar before Newry scrambled the ball clear.Bailie making his return to the team put the home side ahead after 20 minutes when he deftly deflected the ball past the helpless keeper.Five minutes later he doubled the score with a replica goal.North Down were cruising and Andrew McKibbin saw a fine shot go narrowly past.As the half closed Newry slowly began to get grips with the midfield but were unable to pierce a solid North Down defence.

The second half was only minutes old when Linter picked the ball up in midfield.The Newry defence opened up as a result of good runs by the forwards and he sped into the circle before unleashing an unstoppable shot past the keeper.This spurred Newry into action and they enjoyed their best spell of the game.They pulled a goal back when the ball was scrambled in after good play on the right.The North Down defence had to be on their toes as they defended a series of corners.North Down were quick on the break and Cooper saw two drives go narrowly past.With the game in overtime Watt showed great calm when he rounded his marker and slammed the ball into the net.

Coach Whyte was disappointed to learn after the game that stalwart defender Paul Adgey had broken a finger during the game and will be out for a few weeks.Get well soon Paul.