Premier status secured at Raphoe
North Down made the long trip to Raphoe on Saturday for their final league game of the season knowing that a victory would ensure Premier League hockey next season.
North Down opened strongly and penned Raphoe deep in their own half. Josh Gilmore broke clear of the defence but his shot was saved and Andy Boyd then won a corner but it was cleared. At the other end Raphoe evaded a number of weak tackles but Darren Rodgers made a comfortable save. North Down broke the deadlock when Linter took a quick free to Gilmore and he crashed the ball into the net on the reverse. Phil Templeton then had a flick from a corner saved and just before the quarter break Gareth McKeown crossed to Andrew Welsh but his effort went wide.
The second quarter saw North Down grow in confidence and it was no surprise when Templeton scored from a corner won by Nic Pio. Almost immediately Pio again passed to McKeown and he blasted the ball into the net from the edge of the circle to continue his amazing scoring streak, scoring in seven consecutive games. A lapse in concentration and some poor tackling allowed Raphoe to pull it back to 1-3 just before half time.
Into the second half and Jamie Spratt had a reverse shot saved and then Welsh won a corner but the Raphoe defence stood strong. A great passing move presented Gilmore with a chance but it was cleared before Welsh and McKeown then combined to win a long corner again cleared by the home team. Welsh made a fine run and crossed but no one was on hand to slot home. This was followed by Raphoe having a spell of pressure and winning a corner which was well saved by Rodgers. A great move involving Tweedie, Gilmore and Spratt ended with Spratt shooting wide. At the other end Rodgers had to make two fine saves from corners to keep his side in front but just before the end of the third quarter Linter was penalised for a foul and Raphoe scored from the resulting penalty stroke.
Raphoe grew in confidence and for the first 7 minutes of the final quarter pressed hard for more goals but Rodgers was solid in goal and cleared everything that came his way. North Down took control again and were happy to play out time after Josh Gilmore notched his second of the day to put the visitors in control. There was one more opportunity when Spratt and Orr combined to win a corner which was saved and it was a very jubilant North Down side when the final whistle blew knowing that they had given their all and avoided the dreaded drop. They now face a five week break in this crazy season before the Irish Trophy final on 7 May against Queens at Banbridge.
Burch Autos Man of the Match was Jamie Spratt
Finally thanks to the band of loyal supporters who made the long journey to Donegal and who gave encouragement throughout the game.
