Ladies unbeaten run continues

North Down ladies maintained their unbeaten run in 2014 with a 2-1 victory over Cookstown at Comber Leisure Centre on Saturday.  Cookstown, who are favourites to win the Irish Trophy, have had a tremendous season themselves having secured a play-off for the Premier League but North Down were confident of gaining another three points. Three regulars were missing from the squad so this gave a chance for Coach David Frazer to recall Pamela Johnston, much to her surprise!

North Down had a game plan and they stuck to it the whole match, all 79 minutes of it, as the second half was 44 minutes long!!  Rachel Mornin had the task of marking the league’s top scorer Claire Brown and she managed so well that Brown only had one shot in the whole match which luckily for North Down came back off the post; this after North Down had taken the lead through Tasha Adamson’s first goal in three months. A great defense splitting pass from Laura Clarke found Adamson and Rachel Lucas through on goal with only the keeper to beat. Adamson took charge of the situation and calmly slotted the ball under the advancing keeper.

With the score 1-0 at half time, North Down wanted to press home their advantage and they did so immediately after the break with their first penalty corner. A variation resulted in Barbara Moles scoring on the reverse at the back post, also her first goal for three months as well.  A timely boost for both the young forwards in the run up to the Irish Trophy quarter final. The next 25 minutes was played out in midfield with no real chances being created by either team.

Cookstown scored their goal from their fifth penalty corner. A great strike which was just reward for the sustained pressure they had applied at the end of the game.  This was a great result for the ladies and a well deserved win in which everyone played their part. Next up is Banbridge away on Wednesday night with the push back at 8pm.

Player of the Match: Rachel Mornin