Missed chances prove costly!

North Down entertained Kilkeel in a Premier League game at Comber Leisure centre on Saturday. In an entertaining game which was allowed to flow by good umpiring both teams created and missed several opportunities and in the end the game ended 2-2.  North Down had the majority of the chances and will feel that this was two points lost.

North Down dominated the first quarter and had they taken their chances the game could have been over as a contest.  Andy Boyd took a free and found Gareth Bailie but his effort went wide.  A fine passing move involving McGimpsey, McKeown and Moore saw the ball flash across the goal then Boyd gave the ball away in midfield but the Kilkeel effort went wide.  Boyd then made up for his earlier mistake when Gilmore and Bailie combined and Boyd beat the keeper to the ball to put his team in front.  McKeown then put Gilmore through but he mishit his effort at goal and Gilmore then had another chance when Fynn and McKeown cut through the Kilkeel defence but McKeown’s cross was missed by Gilmore in front of an open goal.

In the second period Kilkeel began to exert some pressure and an unmarked player shot wide when well positioned.  An overhead pass found Bailie but his reverse shot went wide.  In a Kilkeel attack Rodgers was deemed to have fouled a forward in the process of shooting and they equalised from the resulting penalty corner.  Rodgers was then called upon to make a sharp save from a quick Kilkeel break.

In the third quarter Welsh and Gilmore combined to win a free but it came to nothing and then Rodgers made another fine save before North Down pressure saw them shoot wide.  Kilkeel, always dangerous on the break, won a corner which was stopped on the line by a defender’s foot and they were awarded another penalty but on this occasion Rodgers made a fine save.  Moore picked up a cross and shot wide.

In the final quarter the pattern of play continues as both teams had chances.  Kilkeel were always dangerous on the break but Rodgers was on his toes and got his angles right ensuring that efforts on goal went wide.  Kilkeel then took the lead at 2-1 when they attacked down the left and the cross was met by an unmarked forward who had a simple tap in.  Not deserving to be behind, North Down went all out for the equaliser.  From their first penalty corner of the game McKeown beat the first runner and flicked high into the net to equalise at 2-2.  Both McKeown and Moore were unlucky when they met inch perfect crosses but both their deflections went narrowly past the post.  With 3 minutes remaining the Comber boys were awarded a penalty for a poor tackle.  Unfortunately, Gilmore flicked wide and the opportunity to gain a valuable three points was lost.

However, North Down must take many positives from the game as they played some of their best hockey of the season.

Burch Autos Man of the Match: Andy McGimpsey