Comfortable win for ladies thirds

After the previous week’s win against Pegasus thirds, North Down ladies thirds were determined to get another win under their belt. With a number of players being called up to higher teams, the thirds fielded nearly a completely new team for the visit of Carrickfergus seconds to Comber Leisure Centre.

From the whistle North Down were strong and had possession of the ball for most of the first half. The midfield and forwards were all school girls who all played well together and created some lovely play down the wings. North Down won a penalty corner after 10 minutes, Lauren McCormack hit the ball out to Emma Gowdy who narrowly missed the post. Carrick were quick to fight back and applied great pressure to the North Down defence but with great play from all the defenders and goalkeeper Natasha Morton they failed to gain a shot on goal. North Down’s first goal came from Laura Lyttle who took a straight shot at the top of the circle. Carrick tried to fight back but right winger Sacha Bell was on fire and ran straight for the circle and lifted the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net. Just before half time North Down got their third goal from Emma Gowdy who received a ball from the right hand side and slapped it into the corner of the net to make it 3-0 at half time.

Carrick noticeably upped their game in the second half and the North Down defence had much more work to do.  The visitors won  a penalty corner but this was quickly cleared by Jocelyn Sturgeon and Rebecca Nield. North Down broke through the Carrick midfield and left winger Kirsty McCrory picked up the ball on the penalty spot and placed it in the back of the net. Play was very even throughout the rest of the game and just before the final whistle McCrory scored her second making the final score an impressive 5-0.

Massive thanks to Roger Nield and Laura Campbell for umpiring.