Strong start for ladies thirds

North Down ladies thirds played their first league game of the season against Pegasus thirds last night at the Dub.  Fearing a Friday night match would allow for the opposition to bulk up their team North Down took their usual team with the return of Laura Murray and new addition Claire MacQuarrie.

North Down had a strong start and took what they had learnt at training over the past couple of weeks and put it into play. North Down spent most of the first half in the opposition circle playing great one two passes down the wings with each of the forwards Natalie Strain, Naomi Mitchell and Julie Fisher having their fair share of shots on goal however the Pegasus goalkeeper proved too strong.  Pegasus were quick on the break and had a good few runs down the left and right hand side but the North Down defenders read the play easily and didn’t allow any shots to be taken. Just before the end of the first half North Down got their first goal from centre mid Laura Murray who picked the ball up just in front of the half way line, took a shot which rebounded off the goalkeepers pad and placed the ball nicely in the corner of the net. Seconds before half time North Down were awarded a penalty corner but it was disallowed as Keri Portinga’s cracker strike did not hit the backboard.

North Down started the second half strongly again expecting a Pegasus fight back.  Again North Down were dominating the Pegasus defence but couldn’t get past their goalkeeper. North Down’s second goal came from left winger Natalie Strain after the ball was passed through the circle, Natalie was on hand at the post for a tap in.  For the rest of the game North a Down had many more chances to score but again their keeper was very good.  Right through until the end North Down kept their defence strong and kept the majority of the play in the attacking half. At the final whistle the 2-0 score was a great result for the first game of the season. Massive thanks to Roger Nield for umpiring!