Ladies seconds great win in Portadown
North Down seconds were away to Portadown 2s on Saturday in the league and came away with a valuable 4-0 win.
North Down began enthusiastically in possession, passing around the Portadown team and winning the first penalty corner of the game. Judith Orr pushed out to Megan Murray who struck the ball towards goal. The keeper saved the ball well, but couldn’t clear it, and Judith swept the ball through the goalie’s legs. The second goal came quickly after the first, with North Down making use of Portadown not playing advantage as Ashleigh Hamilton took a shot across the goal. Again, North Down were quick in on the rebound with Connie Magee taking the goal.
In the second quarter, the Comber girls maintained their strong pressure on the Portadown defence with great linking passes from the midfield around the opposition. Megan Murray passed to Orr on the penalty spot leading to a 2 on 1 with the Portadown keeper. The ball was slipped to Connie Magee, who scored the third goal of the match.
Tempers started to flare with the Portadown coach being warned multiple times and the opposition created a few opportunities for themselves. The North Down defence dealt with this well with great tackles from Ali Campbell, Angelique Toombs, Karen Moore and Louise McIlrath.
The final goal was scored in the third quarter at another penalty corner. A straight strike from the top of the circle from Ali Campbell was saved by the keeper but not cleared leading to another shot from Ashleigh Hamilton which was again saved before Judith Orr finally put the ball in the back of the net.
In the final quarter, Portadown made efforts to come back but North Down defended well. Late in the last quarter, the ball was played high through the visitors’ defence, with goalie Helena Press racing against the Portadown forward. Unfortunately a corner was given away but excellent defence from the entire team kept a clean sheet and securing a spot near the top of the league table.
Burch Autos Player of The Match was Judith Orr