Junior Two league place secured at Portadown
The thirds travelled to Portadown seconds on Tuesday night knowing a win would guarantee safety in Junior Two. Following a disappointing defeat at the hands of a suspiciously strong Service thirds on Saturday, there were some concerns on what Portadown side they would face midweek. To their credit, Portadown kept with their regular side that has them relegated at the bottom of the league. This enabled them to play without pressure and freedom and this was telling in the first quarter.
The hosts moved the ball about well and threatened in the last third of the pitch. North Down made a number of poor passes and poor decisions when in possession and were perhaps too confident in the outcome of the match. It was all level for 15 minutes, but a good recycle from the left hand side found Paul Adgey just outside the 25 and a smashed slap into the area was deflected into the roof of the net by skipper Sam Pyper to relieve some pressure just before the whistle.
The thirds should have capitalised on their lead in the second quarter but failed to get a grip of the game with the continued pattern of bad decisions. At half time, with the score 1-0 in favour of the visitors, strong words from veteran Colin Mockford led to some tactical changes.
Portadown started the second half strongly and a well worked short corner was not closed down to level the scores. From the restart North Down started to control possession with McGimpsey, Brown and Forrest working tirelessly in midfield. A quick free let Paul Beaney crash ball into the area and after a melee of tackles, Ben Bond finished in the corner from close range to put the thirds back in front.
As the quarter rolled on, Portadown continued to create chances and a dragged short corner got them back to all square at 2-2. However, the whites immediately replied. A ball found Pyper in front of goal and a straight bat reverse struck the cross bar, seemed to take an age to come back down but Mark Shannon was on hand at the edge of the circle to reverse smash a wonder shot and put the Comber men back in the lead.
Into the final quarter, North Down gained in confidence and played some really sharp hockey. Stevie Forrest played in McGimpsey who deflected home at the back post and a smart quick free from Adgey went unchallenged and he struck accurately into the corner to make the final score 5-2.
For most to the game, North Down made it hard for themselves but were undeniably deserved winners and will look forward to another Junior Two league campaign next season.
Burch Autos Man of the Match was Paul Adgey.
