Mens thirds in cruise control!
Last Saturday the men’s thirds hosted Raphoe seconds at Comber Leisure Centre. Having been on the wrong side of a 9 goal thumping in Donegal earlier in the season, North Down knew that they would have a scrap on their hands. However, following last week’s win against another team that doesn’t travel well, the Comber men were in a positive mood to keep the momentum up.
The match started off at a great pace set by the hosts, and a neat early passing move found Ben Bond at the back post for whom many thought would surely score, however he couldn’t find his touch and the chance was squandered. North Down though dominated possession and continued to control the tempo. In the 7th minute they went ahead when a switch right from a short corner found Jack Myles who finished from a tight angle
Into the second quarter and North Down built on their lead when a great counter down the right set up Scott Irwin to use his blistering pace as he left his man, hit the baseline and made the pull back to Sam Pyper to finish well. At the other end Peter Gray in goal made some excellent saves to keep the visitors at bay.
Three goals in 5 minutes at the very start of the second half settled the issue for the side in white. Myles was causing all sorts of issues for Raphoe with strong majestic runs from midfield with his assist putting Ben Bond in who crashed home with a super reverse. 6O seconds later Mark Shannon cutely finished in front of the keeper to make it 4-0 closely followed by a fifth from Andy McKee.
Raphoe made North Down’s task easier as they repeatedly gave the ball away and on 67 minutes Myles picked up a pass just outside the circle on the right, glided into the D and unleashed a reverse that two keepers wouldn’t have reached.
A clean sheet was almost as important as the goals scored and credit to the defensive squad who gave very little away all match. So it’s onto the next match as the thirds continue their late charge for league survival.
Burch Autos Man of the Match was Jack Myles
