Late goal blow for ladies fifths
On a cold and foggy Friday night North Down ladies fifths hosted Ballynahinch seconds in Round 3 of the Minor Cup at Comber.
Ballynahinch started the stronger side making runs and solid link up play through the home side’s midfield and defence. The visitors’ dominance almost made it look that they had an extra player on the pitch but North Down got their act together and adjusted their set up neutralise the four in midfield Hinch were playing. Cara McConnell worked tirelessly in centre mid hassling her counterpart, winning possession and distributing the ball to her left and right midfield. A free from the left mid Karen Jackson to the right hand goal post split the Ballynahinch defence but the opportunity went a begging as the Comber girls could not get a player on the receiving end. Leona Clifford worked well putting pressure on the Ballynahinch defence in what was an end to end game.
With full time drawing nearer, Ballynahinch had a stroke of luck. An attack from Hinch saw the ball in the North Down defensive circle and a shot at goal took a deflection off a North Down defender’s stick which resulted in the ball lobbing over the unfortunate Grace Davis. This was a game where a bit of luck was going to make the difference in what was an even enough match. Penalty runs were avoided as Ballynahinch held on to go through to the next round.
PMB Player of the Match: Karen Jackson
