First eleven lose out to South Antrim
North Down without a number of regulars entertained the high flying South Antrim on Saturday at the Leisure Centre in the Premier League and in a game which flowed from end to end with both sides creating numerous chances it was the Lisburn team which ran out winners by 6-3
North Down were first to show winning a free on the 25. The free in was deflected but the umpire declared it dangerous and awarded a free out. At the other end South Antrim won a corner for feet and although Darren Rodgers saved the initial shot their forward reacted quicker and slotted home the rebound. Andy Boyd made a strong run down the right but lacked support and no one was able to pick up his cross. Gareth Bailie, who was fulfilling defensive duties, made a fine clearance off the line but he was then found by Andy McGimpsey from a fine overhead ball. He rounded the keeper but was challenged as he was about to shoot and the ball went past the post. The visitors were then awarded a very soft corner when Rodgers was alleged to have cleared dangerously and a poor flick found its way into the net to put them 2-0 up at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter followed a similar pattern. North Down were first to press with Jamie Orr and Jonny Moore combining to win a corner which was cleared. Jonny Linter made a fine run down the right and his accurate pass found Josh Gilmore who made no mistake with a strong flick. South Antrim won a short corner which was saved at the expense of another but Rodgers made a fine clearance. The Lisburn boys were getting control and North Down were giving the ball away too cheaply. After one such incident McGimpsey was forced to concede another corner but the routine was poor. However, the South winger attacked along the baseline and from an almost impossible angle managed to hit the target to make it 3-1. At the other end Gilmore found himself in space but the keeper was quick off his line and smothered the effort. Just before the interval Gilmore played an accurate reverse across goal and Bailie was on hand to slot home to restore the deficit to one goal at 3-2.
Moore was unable to return after going over on his ankle and this restricted the options available to the home side in the second half
South Antrim attacked from the hit off and won a corner which ended with a melee in front of goal. The umpire awarded a flick and although Rodgers got a hand to the ball he was unable to stop it entering the net. North upped their game and Orr saw his effort saved. Connor Tweedie played a fine ball into the circle from a free and Phil Wilson first timed his effort into the roof of the net – 4-3. Mark Shannon, making a rare senior start, was found with a long pass upfield and as he was closed down by the keeper he slipped the ball to Tweedie but his effort went wide.
The final quarter saw both sides win a series of corners but it was the visitors who came out on top. They increased their lead when they reacted quickest to a rebound after Rodgers had made a fine save. North Down had three players receive green cards and South took advantage winning a series of corners but these were well defended. South failed to retreat and North were awarded a corner but the ball was slipped behind the advancing Boyd and the chance was was missed. Right on the final whistle South were awarded a corner and scored at the second attempt to run out 6-3 winners
Burch Auto Man of the Match: Darren Rodgers
