Fifths show true grit on the gravel

On Saturday North Down fifths travelled to Saintfield to play Saintfield ladies thirds on the gravel.  Many of the team were so old they were reminiscing about when they used to always play on gravel and many of the team were so young they had never played a match on gravel!!

However, everyone adapted well and North Down attacked quickly and won a corner. Julie Fisher hit an accurate ball out to Kathy Taylor who passed to Lynsey Stevenson and returned it to Taylor who found the back of the net.  A few minutes later Georgie Greer scored from another accurate pass from Stevenson.  Saintfield tried to counter-attack but good defending from B and Q defenders Rachel Bogie and Rachel Quigley halted any advance.  Constant midfield pressure from JR, Taylor, Ann Mc Bride and Kerry McCord resulted in lovely passes to the forwards. Ashleigh Hamilton worked extremely hard on the left wing and kept the Saintfield defence on their toes.  Not long before half time another attack from Stevenson resulted in an amazing goal from JR lifted high into the net!

Sweeper Beverley Brittain and goalkeeper Ashleigh Gorman had an easy first half, but found themselves with more to do in the second!  Saintfield attacked quickly, but well timed tackles from Anna Dunlop as left back kept the score sheet clean.  Brittain was vocal in calling for the ball and managed to mostly find the midfield from hit outs.  Goalkeeper Ashleigh made some great saves and hopefully has not done long-term muscle damage!  A super team performance resulted in another two goals from Ashleigh Hamilton, one of which was another conversion from a Lynsey Stevenson pass.

The final result of a match that was played in great spirit and with super sportsmanship by both teams was 5-0 to North Down.

Many thanks to Joanne Irwin for umpiring.

Report by Beverley Brittain