Seconds just miss out in Bangor

North Down seconds played Bangor seconds at Regent House last Friday night.  The fixture earlier in the season finished 6-5 to the Bangor team and the game was end to end throughout but this game proved to be much different in most aspects.

In the opening quarter both teams were contesting to take control of the game with the majority of possession and attacking play coming from North Down.  Despite the possession they were unable to work a clear opening and proved to regret it as Bangor took a 1-0 lead from a penalty stroke.

Going into the 2nd quarter the message was to keep plugging away and working hard off the ball.  Good spells of possession continued and North Down won a few short corners.  Chris Speers was unlucky as a short corner came off the goalkeeper and going behind the line of the crossbar.  Bangor struggled to get out of their own half and often tried to play on the counter to which Adgey, Walls and McGimpsey were able to control.

The third quarter saw the game continue in much of the same fashion with Adam Boyd, debuting for the seconds in goals, having very little to do throughout.  North Down continued to up the pressure and started to work some better chances with Andrew Welsh rounding the keeper and had his goal bound effort cleared off the line.  Jonny Moore dribbled past several Bangor players and entered the circle at a tight angle and released a shot full of power which came crashing off the crossbar and out for a line ball with the goalkeeper well beaten.

Into the final quarter and there was no change in score or in terms of play.  Robbie Sinclair pushed forward from right back and won a short corner which was easily cleared.  With five minutes left to play North Down took off their sweeper and brought on Stevie Magee as an extra forward to attempt to get a late win.  Bangor continued to defend well as a unit and saw the game out with a 1-0 win.

Burch Autos Man of the Match was Andrew McGimpsey