Thirds close in on title!

North Down 3rds 3 – 2 Lisnagarvey 5ths

North Down thirds needing two more wins from their three remaining games hosted Lisnagarvey fifths on Saturday afternoon at Comber Leisure Centre. Following recent poor displays North Down were fired up for a win and only a win. They controlled the early part of the game but couldn’t convert any of their many chances and the visiting keeper remained untested. The visitors then had their spell of pressure and their experience was telling as they retained possession well.  The home defence was resolute for most part of the half but when one or two switched off to allow additional Garvey men join in an attack, a well worked move resulted in a well struck goal just before the half was blown.

The second half started in the same vein with the thirds having a period of control but unable to find that final pass through an experienced backline. Garvey then got back into it and a series of short corners left them frustrated not to have increased the lead. At the other end the scoring streak of Moore continued when he converted a short corner of his own with a well executed drag flick to make it 1-1. Tails were up, the Comber boys could smell blood and minutes later they went in front through a great finish from Josh Gilmore off a loose ball. Garvey responded well converting another short corner and it looked like there would be a share of the points with the two sides cancelling each other out. However North Down found that extra gear and piled on the pressure attack after attack and finally they got their reward when Mark Shannon beat the keeper from the edge of the area to make it 3-2.

The Comber men were then able to see out the remaining 5 minutes with some excellent gutsy defending. This was a tough competitive game and Garvey certainly played well enough to earn a point and on maybe another day all three.

Report by Sam Pyper.