Ladies seconds get revenge over Service seconds

Last Saturday the ladies seconds travelled away to Civil Service seconds and after a frustrating 4-1 defeat in Comber at the start of the season North Down were looking forward to the return match. 

Civil Service started out the stronger of the two teams with good play around the pitch however sweeper Rebecca Walker and centre back Karen Moore shut down all attacking play that came close to them. North Down started to string together their passes as they adapted to the bounce of the water based pitch and Lynsey Stevenson produced some great crosses which hard working left wing Olivia Brown was unlucky not to capitalise on. Finally North Down broke the deadlock.  Sasha Bell played the ball out of midfield to find Amy Jones on the edge of the circle, who even with two players attempting to tackle her and an advantaging keeper, calmly slotted the ball in with a reverse. Service tried to dig in to get back into the match winning a few short corners however runners Judith Orr and Karen Jackson cut out any direct shots and keeper Linda Marshall kept the goal sheet clean giving the Comber girls a half time lead of 1-0.

 North Down knew the second half was going to be hard and were determined to keep their heads down however Service were just too fast out of the traps for them and an early strike got them back into the game at 1-1.  Rebecca Brown in her new midfield position worked tirelessly producing some great passes.  One of these switched play over to Laura Campbell who found Amy Jones in the circle who, with a one on one with the keeper, slotted in number two for North Down.  The visitors didn’t let up the pressure and kept moving forward.  Keri Portinga at right back made a run from the half way and after evading several tackles finished with a great reverse hit at the top of the circle to secure the three points for the seconds to ensure they finished off 2013 in style with a 3-1 win.

 Player of the Match: Amy Jones