North Down and NICS share Spoils

Hard Earned Point for North Down

North Down entertained neighbours NICS at the Leisure Centre on Saturday and came from behind to share the spoils.

North Down dominated for long periods in the first half and had they taken all their chances could have had the game sewn up by half time but as often happens if you don’t convert your chances it often comes back to haunt you

North Down took the lead after 10 minutes when McKeown won the ball on the left of the circle and crossed for Wilson to deflect home.North Down won a corner which was saved and the rebound fell to Jonny Linter and he was unlucky to see his shot deflect to safety of the post.Black then drove into the circle and saw his shot go agonisingly wide.Service won a couple of corners approaching half time but McArthur dealt with Barnes efforts.

The second half saw a reversal in fortunes.It was Service who dominated the early stages and pulled a goal back when a corner was not cleared and the ball was scrambled in at the far post.Black had a great chance to restore the home sides lead when he met a drag back by Ross Linter but again his effort deflected to safety of a post.Service piled on the pressure against a home defence which was showing signs of weakness.Barnes shot narrowly wide and then the woodwork came to the home sides rescue.From their fourth corner Barnes put the visitors in the lead when he scored a powerful short corner.North Down were rocked by this setback but showed great determination in putting the Service circle under pressure.Sheppard had two corners saved and then with ten minutes remaining Wilson popped up and scored the equaliser with a rasping shot which the keeper never saw.North Down were going for the winner and won a corner with 2 minutes remaining.The shot hit a Service defender but the umpire played advantage which came to nothing rather than award another corner.

A draw was probably a fair result as both teams had chances but had North Down tucked away those early chances Service may not have been able to get back into the game.

PMB Man of the Match: Phil Wilson