Ladies Thirds Exit Junior Plate

By Kathryn Rogers

On Saturday North Down thirds travelled to play Randalstown fourths in the Junior Plate after being put out of the cup by Ballymoney thirds.

Following their 10-1 victory over Priorians seconds in their last match North Down started strongly. Solid passing between the midfield and forwards enabled the visitors to apply pressure to the Randalstown defence. After some forceful play North Down won a penalty corner. Left wing Rachel Lucas set up the corner with a strong slap out to Helen McGaughey who then slipped it left to Julie Fisher whose strike was disallowed as it just missed the backboard. North Down were back on it and applying great pressure to the opposition and winning more penalty corners which resulted in no goals.

Gradually Randalstown got back into the game to test the North Down defence however the first goal of the match came from centre forward Helen McGaughey from a break in play. Randalstown soon equalised just before half time with a poor goal as despite the defence’s best effort, the ball rolled over the line.

At the start of the second half North Down were in possession but Randalstown quickly stepped up their game. The home team were quicker off the mark and quickly won a penatly corner where they took the lead. North down fought on until the end and tried very hard to equalise before the final whistle was blown. However, this didn’t happen and Randalstown now progress into the next round of the Junior Plate.