Ladies thirds back to winning ways

After a disappointing loss to Ards thirds 2 weeks ago North Down thirds were determined to get back to their winning ways. Last Saturday the home team hosted Priorians seconds at Nendrum College having beaten them 2-0 away earlier in the season.

NorthDown had a rocky start and it took the team a while to settle down into their own game. Throughout the first half play was very much even with both teams having numerous opportunities to get the first goal of the match. North Down played great one two passes between the forwards but failed to get the ball in the back of the net. Priorians proved to be very quick on the break and also had plenty of chances to score past goalkeeper Nikki Ferris who kept the defence on their toes. Priorians had several penalty corner chances in the final 10 minutes of the half but these were cleared with ease especially by sweeper Rebecca Nield who saved one straight off the line.

Into the second half and switching Ali Millar to centre mid proved worthwhile as North Down started to use the width of the pitch to their advantage and eventually settled into their own game. The majority of the second half saw North Down camped in the Priorians half putting their defence under great pressure. Even when Priorians broke free defenders Rachel Gibson and Karen Jackson broke down the play and got more attacks going. After a series of penalty corners North Down finally got the first goal of the match from right mid Laura Murray who cracked it into the back of the net from the top of the circle. This gave the girls the boost that they needed. Shortly before the final whistle was blown North Down got their second goal of the game from Brittany Hogan who carried the ball to the right hand side of the circle and hit it into the corner of the net. A very well deserved win for the girls against a very tough Priorians team.

Player of the Match: Rebecca Nield
Report by Kathryn Rogers