Thirds double header with Newry seconds
North Down Men’s thirds had a double header with Newry seconds this week, away in the league cup and home in the league. Tuesday night saw a strong Newry side take the win with a 3-0 victory. A meaningless match with both teams pointless in the cup, however a good warm up for the league game in Comber on Saturday. On the night, the thirds could have been five down after 5 minutes as Peter Gray made save after save. The North Down goal was peppered for much of the match and all the talk was about the performance of the keeper. A Burch Autos Man of the Match performance. Whilst North Down hoped that the 4 or 5 Newry one’s players wouldn’t make the Comber trip, no doubt they thought the same of the heroic keeper. Special mention to young James Webber who made his thirds debut. An excellent confident display and one to watch for the future.
Onto last Saturday at Comber Leisure Centre and the much changed Comber team saw the returning cameo performance from Chris Speers who acted as the pivot in centre midfield. The thirds controlled the game from the off and patient build up and possession was the message from skipper Sam Pyper. Whilst they were comfortable on and off the ball, the game plan for the first quarter was not particularly adhered to, with some rushed passing and play was all too direct.
During the break the message was reinforced and into the second quarter, the backline recycled quicker and used the space on the wings to maintain possession. Passes were sharper, shorter and space soon began to open up. Speers soon found Pyper deep in the area and though his connection wasn’t great the bobbling ball caused havoc for the Newry goal keeper and, with Ben Bond sniffing around, failed to clear the danger and the striker managed to edge the ball over the line to put the home side one up.
In the third quarter Newry started to threaten and Marc Bennett made a number of fine saves to maintain the lead. North Down had the legs in midfield with constant rotation utilising Sam Brown, Scott Irwin, Andy McKee and Jack Bond. The overlaps particularly down the right hand side caused issues and they started to win a few shorts corners. Speers drag was flick saved low to the right and then another went high into the advancing runner. Pyper set himself for a strike however a deflected ball found Andy Walls on the right and with the keeper flat, his flicked effort struck a Newry defender’s head on the line and a penalty stroke was awarded. Pyper took responsibility and put it high into the goal to extend the lead.
Into the last quarter and some umpiring decisions were contested by Newry. This then resulted in some words between players and the match enjoyment quickly descended as arguments rumbled on. The thirds saw the game out and were delighted to get their first win of the season.
Burch Autos Man of the Match was Jonny Campbell.