Survival beckons for mens thirds!
North Down thirds fight for survival continued last Saturday when they hosted high flyers Mossley seconds at Comber Leisure Centre. Rewind five weeks ago and the thirds sat second bottom of the table. With the leagues restructuring next year, four teams face relegation and North Down looked destined to be one of them needing at least five wins from the remaining seven games. However, three wins and a draw later they faced Mossley seconds in a much stronger position. Having received a 7-0 thumping earlier in the season, this game was one that North Down didn’t expect anything from, putting more reliance on the final two games against Civil Service and Portadown.
In the first quarter North Down held a high press in an attempt to force Mossley down their weaker left side. This led to the visitors making mistakes as they had little time on the ball with the Comber men hunting in packs to turn over ball. The pressure on their back line continued and a foot in the circle led to the first short corner of the day. North Down cleverly switched the ball right to skipper Sam Pyper who unselfishly squared to Paul Ritchie to tap home and put the whites one up. A great 5 minute spell soon put the Comber lads two up when a Pyper and Mark Shannon one two opened up the Mossley defence and Pyper finished well through the advancing keeper’s kickers to make it 2-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Mossley grew into the game in the second quarter with two of their unrecognisable midfielders creating problems. After a few failed short corners and wonder saves from Peter Gray, Mossley got one back with a roofed flick from a tight angle and with no further scoring it was 2-1 at half time.
In the second half, North Down set a much deeper press and invited Mossley to break them down. Their central midfielder was their main playmaker and caused further issues, however North Down doubled and even trebled up on him before he got to use his skills in the more dangerous areas. Allowing Mossley freedom at back invited them forward but the Comber boys stood strong and saw out the quarter.
Into the final quarter the thirds were content to keep the same game plan with each of the 14 man squad running their legs off and working tirelessly with 11 behind the ball deep in their own half. Chances were ramping up for Mossley and further penalty corners were awarded however, Chris Drysdale, running one, broke down their set plays and a number of last ditch tackles from Paul Beaney, Colin Mockford and Jason Purvis continued to frustrate. North Down had very little possession in the last quarter but demonstrated so much defensive control and were absolutely determined to ensure that they held onto the 3 points. And so they did! The full time whistle went and a massive win sets the thirds up requiring one more win from two to guarantee survival. Oddly enough, with a further two wins they can finish as high as fourth depending on other results.
Burch Autos Man of the Match was Paul Ritchie.