Eventful Kirk Cup draw at South Antrim

North Down travelled to Lisburn on Saturday to play South Antrim in a Kirk Cup game which produced lots of good hockey despite the horrendous conditions and in the end the sides shared six goals.

North Down opened at a fast pace and got an early reward for their efforts.  Josh Gilmore had a flick saved and at the other end Darren Rodgers saved a short corner.  Bailie won the ball on the right and crossed into the circle but no forward was on hand to hit home.  Tweedie won a short corner and the reliable Phil Templeton smashed the ball into the net.  Just before the end of the quarter Jamie Hunter played a great ball into the circle and McKeown’s effort was deflected onto the crossbar by the keeper but Bailie was lurking to squeeze the rebound into the net to make it 2-0 to the visitors.

The second quarter followed a similar pattern with the Comber boys still dictating play but unable to add to their lead.  The closest they came was a Bailie effort that was blocked.  As halftime approached South came more into the game and must have thought they had reduced the arrears when a cross from the left seemed goalbound but somehow Linter got back to make a fabulous goal line clearance.

This seemed to inspire South Antrim and with their quick slick passing began to dominate and deny North any possession.  They reduced the arrears when Tweedie was caught in possession and a quick transfer gave them possession in the circle for the centre forward made no mistake.  Linter made another goal line clearance from a short corner but a South forward then found space at the top of the circle and he smashed the ball past the helpless Rodgers to equalise.  Linter was unlucky to concede a free and when the ball was transferred into the circle South Antrim had two unmarked players who had the simple task of putting their side in front.

The final quarter was a more even affair with both sides creating good attacking situations.  McKeown won a corner which was saved but the same player then won the ball on the right and cheekily dribbled his way along the byline before flicking past the bemused home keeper.  Ross Blair with good control won a corner right on full time but the ball was cleared leaving the sides level at 3-3.

Burch Autos Man of the Match was Jordan Linter