Bangor and North Down draw in Kirk Cup

Local Derby ends in Draw
North Down travelled to the Aurora Complex on Wednesday evening to play Bangor in a Kirk Cup game.In poor conditions both teams served up an entertaining game which ended 2-2.
Play was confined to midfield for long periods as both teams probed for openingsBangor were awarded their first corner after 20 minutes but Barnes blasted over the barThey played controlled hockey down their right hand side but the North Down defence held firm and stopped them from creating any clear cut chances.At the other end Templeton fired a corner wide of the target.Seay in Bangor goal had to be alert to stop the hard running North Down forwards.North Down eventually got the breakthrough with about 10 minutes of the half remaining.Clark made a fine run into the circle and his shot was saved but the alert Michael Orr was on hand to slip the rebound into the net.Just before half time Bangor equalized when the defence left two players unmarked close to goal and they gave Rodgers no chance.A great pass from Orr found McKibbin unmarked at the top of the circle but his shot was high and wide.
The second half saw North Down more on the attack and Seay made a number of fine saves from Gilmore Moore and McKeown.A poor clearance from Rodgers presented Barnes with an opportunity in midcircle and he duly smashed a reverse into the net.Jonny Linter was adjudged to foul the Bangor winger on the byline but Rodgers made up for his earlier mistake when he made a brilliant save from the resulting penalty stroke.Barnes had a penalty corner brilliantly turned round the post by McKibbin.North Down piled on the pressure and eventually were rewarded with 4 minutes to go when McKeown flicked home his sides fifth corner of the evening.North Down had a chance to win the game when they were awarded another corner on the stroke of full time but their effort was blocked.
PMB man of match James Clark