Hattrick for Brittany

After having been defeated by Pegasus thirds in the previous week North Down thirds were determined to get back to their winning ways on their visit to Grosvenor thirds last Saturday. With a 2-1 win behind them already in the season, the girls were very confident they could do it again.

Both teams started well each having spells in the opposition circles but North Down settled best and put the home defence under constant pressure.  North Down got the first goal of the game after Sacha Bell crossed the ball into the circle for Brittany Hogan to find the back of the net. Grosvenor fought back, were quick on the ball and had a number of chances to even the game up but goalkeeper Fiona Emerson kept the defenders in line and her goal intact.  On 15 minutes, Brittany Hogan got her second goal of the day after Emma Gowdy passed the ball in from the left and Brittany pushed the ball past the keeper. Grosvenor again responded but the visitors’ defence read the play of the ball easily and kept them out.  Just before half time Brittany Hogan got her third goal of the game to leave North Down comfortably 3-0 ahead at the break.

North Down started poorly in the second half and Grosvenor soon pulled a goal back from a penalty corner which slipped in between the goalkeepers legs and left back Rachel Gibson just failed to clear. Midway into the second period North Down finally got back into the game and got their fourth goal of the game from a Judith Orr tap in at the post. Just on the final whistle Emma Gowdy got the final goal of the game from a right wing cross to clinch a convincing 5-1 win.

Player of the Match – Brittany Hogan

Report by Kathryn Rogers