McKee’s late winner earns thirds all three points

The thirds hosted Raphoe seconds on Saturday in blustery, wet conditions in a Junior Two league game. The Donegal men travelled with only 11 players and no umpire, so the home game plan was to use the numbers to their advantage and out run them on the fitness front.

The game started well with North Down creating several good chances, however a counter attack led to a short being awarded and after an initial save by Peter Gray the visiting forward flicked home into the top corner. North Down started to get back into the game and a bit of dissent left umpire Michael Smith no choice but to send Raphoe’s experienced playmaker to the sidelines for a few minutes rest. Whilst the home side couldn’t capitalise with the extra man, they dominated possession and continued to create. They soon got back level with excellent work from Sam Brown down the left hand side finding Stephen Forrest who smashed home giving the keeper no chance. 

Into the final quarter it was end to end stuff and Paul Beaney did well to save off the line from a short corner. It could have gone any way and the thirds would have been kicking themselves if they lost. They couldn’t quite settle for a point however and in the final minute they pressed, won possession back on the halfway line and quickly found Forrest again in the area. The winger kept his nerve and squared the ball to Andy Mckee who flicked home with what was the last touch of the game to take all 3 points. 

Burch Autos Player of the Match was Stephen Forrest