Last gasp goal from Bryn secures a point!
North Down Men’s thirds travelled to Havelock Park to face Banbridge thirds on Saturday. Having the pleasure to watch how hockey really should be played in the prior EYHL clash between Banbridge and Monkstown (4-4), North Down were fired up to get a result knowing that they had a relegation battle that is firmly in their own hands.
The visitors started the brighter controlling the tempo of the game from back to front and really limited Bann to slim pickings of chances in the first quarter. The central defensive duo of Colin Mockford and Paul Beaney hardly put a foot wrong and the outlet was on the right hand side with impressive Finn Cross continuing to make a name for himself. Mark Shannon created down the right hand side and won North Down’s first corner. A quick one-two between Sam Pyper and Jonny Green beat the runner but Pyper couldn’t keep his initial shot down as it passed the keeper high into the net.
Into the second quarter and North Down kept the momentum creating a few chances and keeping Bann at bay. It was a tight game to date and the visitors used their bench well with utility player Jonny proctor playing a midfield/forward position as well as ending up at left back at one stage of the proceedings. The half ended goalless.
Into the 3rd quarter and Bann created a few chances with Peter Gray making a fine save as he tipped a rasping effort over the bar. Bann started to grow into the match and a well taken reverse put them one up at the end of the period. The thirds came out fighting, knowing they had been the better side to date and they pushed Bann all the way as the hosts tried to run out the clock. Some time wasting at short corners frustrated umpire Andrew Dixon who in the last minute penalised Bann by stopping the clock until they readied themselves and delivered the push out. The short corner effort was cleared wide and Mockford gave it to Kyle Frazer deep in his own half. Frazer held off his man, found Pyper just inside the half who then in turn first time passed to Dermot Gouk on the right. As Gouk made his way to the baseline he remained calm and picked out the correct pass to Bryn Walker who held his run to the flick spot and slapped past the keeper into the corner to take a well deserved point just on the final whistle. Walker ran the length of the pitch in celebration having only just come off the bench. It felt like a win and may end up being a crucial point.
Burch Autos Man of the Match: Finn Cross