Men’s firsts lose to not so civil Service

North Down entertained Civil Service at Comber Leisure Centre on Saturday. With the scoreline 4-3 in Service’s favour a moment of madness finished the game as a contest and ruined what up until that point was a typical  entertaining  derby with both teams competing for every ball. A brutal tackle on Jordan Linter got a reaction from Andy McGimpsey and as  he and the Service player squared up to each other the umpires intervened and deliberated for a number of minutes before producing a red card to McGimpsey and a yellow to the NICS player. Surely the wrong decision as both players were equally at fault and should have received similar punishment. To add to North Down’s woes, and to everyone’s amazement, Linter who was the recipient of the tackle which led to the incident received a yellow card.

The game opened at a fast pace and North Down were playing the ball around with confidence. After 5 minutes Blair and Gilmore combined to open up the Service defence and provide McKeown with the simple task to open the score. Service won a corner but Barnes’ effort went wide. At the other end North Down went two up when the same players combined to give Gilmore the simple tap in. Linter made a fine tackle to stop a dangerous Service attack. McSherry stepping in for Rodgers who was on holiday had to be alert to block a strong reverse shot from Barnes. North Down lost their concentration and Service pulled a goal back before the end of the quarter.

At the start of the second quarter a stick tackle gave Service a corner and Barnes effort came off the post to safety. A free in found a Service player unmarked in the circle and he flicked high into the net. Shortly after, Service took the lead when poor marking gave them room in the circle and they made no mistake. North Down won a corner but were unable to get a shot away. The home side pushed for the equaliser and Fynn took a quick free finding McKeown on the byline. He wriggled his way along the line and somehow managed to flick the ball into the net

Early in the third quarter North Down won a free and the initial cross was blocked but the ball broke to McGimpsey at the top of the circle and he unleashed a strong drive which went inches wide. Minutes later Service took the lead when Barnes who was giving the home defenders a difficult time found space and slotted home. Adgey received a harsh yellow card for a stick tackle which at worst should have been green and then to the moment of madness which ruined the remainder of the game as a contest. It was now 10 against 8 and Service used their extra players to retain possession.

At the start of the final quarter Service increased their lead and then both teams had players receive yellow cards for dissent. McKeown for the home side and Gill for the visitors making it 9v7!! North Down won a corner, the initial shot was blocked and rebounded to McKeown. His flick was goal bound but somehow the unfortunate Shannon deflected the ball over the bar. Service continued to retain possession but were unable to add to their score, North Down had one final opportunity when Sinclair drove into the circle and saw his strong shot go narrowly past the right post. The game ended with Service winning by 5-3 but the talking points after the game were the strange decisions which led to the game finishing in farcical style.

This was a typical derby game played in a competitive manner  but unfortunately the issue of inappropriate cards ruined it as a spectacle for the fans.

Burch Autos Man of the Match: Phil Wilson