Ladies thirds back on track

After last week’s defeat against Saintfield seconds, North Down thirds were determined to get back onto winning ways at home against Harlequins fifths last Saturday. They started poorly but soon found their feet and began to apply pressure on the Harlequins defence.

Play was even throughout the first half and each team had their chances in the other’s defending circles. In the first half North Down had a number of penalty corners which failed to produce any results on the scoreboard. Harlequins were quick to fight back and had their chances to gain the first goal of the match but the North Down defence was just too strong. Belfast Harlequins gained a penalty corner from a foot in the circle but this was quickly cleared by runners Ali Millar and Kathryn Rogers. With 5 minutes remaining in the first half centre mid Laura Murray made a break on the right hand side and played the ball into the penalty spot where Emma Gowdy got the first goal of the match.

At the start of the second half North Down knew Harlequins would come back fighting and so had to step up on their marking. From the whistle, centre back Laura Campbell read the play well and filtered the ball out to wingers Kirsty McCrory and Sacha Bell who both had a number of chances to get North Down’s second goal. Harlequins came back determinedly and had several runs up both the left and right hand side of the pitch. Goalkeeper Linda Marshall had a one on one with their centre forward which resulted in Linda taking a ball to the chest and stopping them scoring a goal. With seconds to spare North Down broke away and won a penalty corner which resulted in Laura Murray gaining North Downs second goal.
Massive thanks to Amy Jones for umpiring.