Thirds click at home against Cookstown

The thirds produced their best display of the season last Saturday against Cookstown 4ths running out 5-2 winners at Comber Leisure Centre.  The home side wanted to build on last week’s victory over Antrim 2nds and came out fast, moving the ball quickly using the wing backs Michael Orr and Andrew Boyd to launch counter attacks.  Indeed the breakthrough came from one of these counters, the ball was worked to Scotty Moore who outpaced his marker and fired a low cross for captain Andy Walls to deflect in.  The thirds pushed on but couldn’t find a second and, just before half time, Cookstown’s pressure was rewarded when a deflected shot looped over Lee Brown in the home goal.

At half time the Comber men were asked to sharpen the final pass and they delivered in the second 35 minutes.  Shortly after the break, Scotty Moore was put through by Sam Pyper and after outpacing everyone he calmly flicked the ball over the sliding keeper.  The visitors levelled again at a short corner but from then on it was one way traffic as North Down restricted the away side’s options at hit outs and then launched some swift attacks.  The third North Down goal came when Moore pounced on a loose ball from the visiting goalkeeper and intelligently turned to finish into the empty net from a tight angle.  Midfield work from Revill and Moreland led to Sam Pyper getting behind the defence and although he was well denied by the goalkeeper, Mark Shannon flicked the ball over the keeper and into the net. The home side rounded off their display with one final goal, this one was particularly significant.  A short corner was switched to the right and Paul Beaney drove the ball into the far corner for what it believed to be his first goal this Millennium!  

A very good 3 points for the home side and a good display too which included key contributions from all round the side.  Next up is a visit from Portadown 2nds this Saturday in another key game in Junior 3.