Ladies seconds do the double over CI seconds

North Down seconds took on CIYMS seconds in the league on Saturday at Strathearn hoping to gain a valuable three points in their hunt for the league title and complete a league double having beaten the East Belfast team 1-0 in October. 

The Comber side got off to a messy start, conceding a penalty corner in the first play of the match. This was well blocked by first runner Connie Magee but the visitors won a second one right away. Again this was well dealt with by the defence who cleared the danger. 

North Down soon settled and began playing their usual quick passing game, working the ball down the right hand side from Caitlyn Adair at the back up to Jenna Pliauga on the wing who found Magee free in the circle. The shot hit a CIYMS foot but advantage was played allowing Pliagua to sweep the ball into the net and open the scoring. 

The second quarter was end to end with neither side able to maintain possession for long and some strong tackling in the CIYMS midfield breaking down North Down’s flow. Anna Carvill saved another penalty corner for the hosts before Tilly Nield came inches from scoring at the other end. 

The third quarter saw North Down lift their level, moving the ball well from Angelique Toombs and Judith Orr at the back, through Magee and Kate McConnell out wide and up to Megan Murray who was unlucky to see two reverse shots saved by the CIYMS keeper. A quick free taken by Adair on the edge of the circle found Pliagua unmarked on the penalty spot and she wasted no time sliding a reverse shot into the bottom corner to make the score 2-0. 

The final quarter saw relentless attacking play from Murray, Magee and Hollie Davies who all worked the CI keeper but the score finished 2-0 to North Down. 

Burch Autos Player of the Match: Megan Murray.