Match Reports for 18 February
Below are the unedited match reports for 17/18 February
Mens 3rds L 3-7 Banbridge 3rds
North Down Men’s 3s hosted Banbridge 3s on Saturday in Junior League 2. Having knocked Ban out of the cup earlier in the season, the visitors where no doubt out for revenge.
The game got off to a fast pace and Ban took an early lead with a well taken strike. North Down immediately responded when Scott Irwin broke into the area and a quick one-two with Sam Pyper was finished well. The game was end to end and Ban took the lead going into the break with another well finished move. Into the 2nd quarter, and Ban started to dominate play with quick accurate passing, particularly in front of goal that kept Peter Gray busy, the keeper making a number of excellent saves. Ban got further into the lead as North tried to play out from the back unsuccessfully, and soon made it 4-1 with another free flowing hockey move.
Into the second half North got one back when Reuben McIlrath finished from close range. A 2 goal deficit was papering over the cracks as Peter Gray was on exceptional form keeping the score down. This couldn’t last forever as Ban continued to create and into the 4th quarter they added a further 3 goals. North pulled one back when Pypers initial shot was saved and the ball stuck under the keepers feet. Ben Bond was on hand to smash home from close range. Final score 7-3
A harsh lesson for the Comber men who must do better when they travel to Kilkeel next week.
Burch Autos MOTH Peter Gray
Mens 1sts L 3- 4 South Antrim
North Down 1sts travelled to Lisburn on Saturday to play South Antrim in the league, hoping to continue their recent run of form. The squad were missing a number of regulars which provided opportunities for the wider squad.
The game started at a fast pace with both teams creating openings. Dan Griffin, making his first start for the 1sts made some well time tackles, however it was South Antrim who scored first with a low drag flick from their first short corner. North nearly replied instantly with Ross Blair 1v1 with the keeper but he was unable to covert.
However the equaliser did come in quarter 2. A drag flick from Toby Flynn was saved but Jamie Orr was first on the scene to score.
Quarter 3 was dominated by South Antrim. Jordan Linter made a handful of brave goal line clearances throughout the game but this one hit a foot and the subsequent stroke made it 2-1. South scored two more to make it 4-1, however their ill discipline lead to cards and North Down replied with a well executed Harry Templeton reverse to restore some hope.
Two further yellow cards for South Antrim, one of which was for their keeper opened up the game, with Gareth Bailie converting a stroke to bring the score to 4-3. However, North Down lacked composure to keep playing simple hockey and get the equaliser before the full time whistle.
Next up is Queens away in the league on Thursday night before an important home game v Newry next Saturday.
Burch Autos MOM: Jordan Linter
Ladies 3rds D 1-1 Banbridge 3rds
This week North Down 3rd XI hosted Banbridge at Comber Leisure Centre. Having previously lost 2-0 at the start of the season the home team knew they had some work to do as the visitors are currently sitting 3rd in the league. Banbridge started the game off very strong and put pressure on the home defence through the first half. North Down had the odd break in play with a couple of shots on target but couldn’t get on the scoreboard. Banbridge had a few penalty corners in the first half but these were easily broken down by the home defence.
With the score still 0-0 at half time North Down had finally settled into their usual play and applied a lot of pressure to the visiting defence. Banbridge were quick on the ball and had 4 penalty corners in a row but still couldn’t get the first goal of the game. A break in play with a ball from the home sweeper to the attacking 25 saw Kirsty McCrory and Lauren Spence go round the keeper with Spence getting the final touch. Ban quickly turned this around with one more penalty corner that rebounded off a stick into the goal to make the score line equal. The home team kept their cool and were happy to settle with a point each. Thanks to Andrew Dixon for umpiring.
Burch Autos Player of the Match: Emma Heron
Ladies 2nds W 3-2 Limavady
The quarter-final of the Junior Plate saw North Down ladies seconds take on Limavady firsts in Comber.
North Down dominated the first quarter immediately from centre pass, and with the run of play North found themselves in the lead. After a break out of defence, centre mid Megan Spence found Connie Magee on the right, and Connie easily hit Tilly Nield on the post for a deflection in. Unfortunately, the visitors later won a short corner and despite excellent saves from Barthe McCormick they equalised the game- 1-1
Neither team found a goal in the second and third quarter, despite great efforts from both sides. Excellent passing play from forwards Megan Murray and Jenna Pliauga won North a number of short corners, with the home side unlucky not to score. Limavady proved dangerous on the attack, and tackles from Karen Moore and Caitlyn Adair prevented any entries to the D that the attackers attempted.
Dominating play continued from the Comber side in the final quarter, with Ali Campbell and Kate McConnell breaking through well on the left, forcing play up and winning more short corners. Unluckily for North, the ball couldn’t seem to find the back of the net. However, Megan Murray’s relentless tackles on the Limavady defenders meant she could easily find Tilly Nield for her second goal of the game. 2-1 to North! Unfortunately, a defensive mistake led to an overload on the home side and Limavady equalised the game for a second time. With just a few minutes left in the match, Tilly Nield won the final penalty corner of the game. Injector Ali Campbell found Jenna Pliauga on the P spot and Jenna, eager to score and avoid run ins, volleyed the ball into the net on her reverse.
Many thanks to Lauren Spence for sticking around after her game so we had a squad of 12 and well done to POM MEGAN SPENCE who ran approx 100km in centre mid today