Ladies fifths beat Owls again

The ladies fifths travelled to Roughfort Playing Fields last Saturday to face Owls seconds. The last time these teams met was at the very end of last season in the Minor Plate final which North Down fifths won, however this North Down team was a very different one from the final.

Julie Fisher, Karen Jackson and Rebecca Nield made up the experience on the team, with the rest of the team being made up of new girls who have graduated from the Under 15s over the last two years.

The game started evenly with Julie Fisher working well with Kirsty McCrory penetrating the opposition circle on occasions. A lapse of concentration by North Down allowed Owls to break through and shoot on goal and although the strong winter sun caused the keeper some difficulty she managed to knock the rising ball out of harm’s way. Not long after this Owls took their opportunity when defender and keeper misread each other’s play to go one up.   Owls’ advantage didn’t last though as Julie Fisher picked the ball up in midfield and made a determined run into the circle where her reverse shot found the back of the net.

The half time talk from the skipper inspired her young team as play from Kirsten McBride and Lauren Spence showed in the second half. A ball up the left line from Lauren McCormick found Fisher who then picked out McCrory for the left forward to fool the Owls keeper and put the ball in the corner of the net.

Owls pressed strongly for the equaliser but it meant that a North Down break was on the cards. It was Fisher who collected the ball on the break, made a dazzling run around three defenders and created the opportunity for goal number three.

PMB Player of the Match: Julie Fisher

Report by Karen Jackson