Ladies thirds progress in Junior Cup

North Down thirds hosted Saintfield seconds in the second round of the Junior Cup last Saturday and after being beaten 2-0 earlier in the season on the gravel pitch at Saintfield the girls were even more determined to make amends.

North Down started well and kept the pressure on Saintfield throughout the first half. In the earlier league game North Down found themselves playing Saintfield’s long ball game but this time adapted to controlled astro hockey. They had plenty of chances in the first half but only managed one after the ball was crossed into the circle by Sacha Bell where Judith Orr placed it in the back of the net. Saintfield tried to fight back but the home defenders broke down the play with ease and went into the break 1-0 up.

North a Down kept up great pressure on the Saintfield circle however the Saintfield sweeper had a great eye for the ball and made some great interceptions. However North Down eventually went 2-0 up after Laura Lyttle was on hand to tuck in the second. For the remainder of the game the thirds kept their defence strong and cleared a number of penalty corners with ease and eventually ran out comfortable winner to progress to the next round of the Junior Cup.