Mens seconds only behind for three minutes

North Down seconds travelled to South Antrim on Saturday in Junior One after another fun week of selection.

The game proved to match the weather – wet, cold and rather depressing. It would be hard to suggest that either team started strongly, often matching each other with misplaced passes at a short distance and no general flow.  Andrew Welsh opened the scoring in the first quarter with a well timed run and a good finish past the keeper to make it 1-0. As the play continued North Down let the Lisburn men gain control over possession and they started to create their own chances with numerous going wide. They eventually levelled the scoring. A few words at the break focused on getting out of first gear and putting a stamp on the game.

The 2nd quarter proved to be much of the same from both teams. Young Andrew Welsh continued his fine form in front of goal and dispatched another chance to make it 2-1. This was fairly short lived as South Antrim levelled shortly after to make it 2-2 at half time.

Going into the 3rd quarter with the game there for the taking, the Comber men started to take more control and create more chances. Gareth McKeown rifled one in from a short corner – game on at 3-2. To continue the pattern, they continued to give South Antrim a range of chances one of which they took to make it 3-3 going into the final quarter.

The last quarter proved to be entertaining. Gareth McKeown stepped up again with another goal to restore the lead and surely this was it for the visitors? With quite possibly the slowest goal of all time from a short corner South Antrim equalised to make it 4-4 and with three minutes left on the clock they scored the winner to lead for the first time in the match.

The seconds continue to make progress week on week despite some unlucky games and this week face a tough test as they host Lisnagarvey seconds in the second round of the Irish Junior Cup.

Burch Autos Man of the Match was Gareth McKeown