Ladies seconds make Shield exit

North Down seconds hosted Lisnagarvey seconds in the second round of the McConnell Shield in Comber last Saturday.

The visitors started well immediately forcing North Down keeper Helena Press into action as they pinned the hosts back in their own circle. The high press made it difficult for the defence to clear the danger and it wasn’t long before Garvey found a free player in the circle to give them an early 1-0 lead. This pattern of play continued in the first quarter and, despite some strong tackling from Angelique Toombs in defence, Garvey again found an unmarked player in the circle who finished from close range to double their lead.

North Down started the second quarter well and won a penalty corner but the Garvey defence blocked the shot and it wasn’t long before Garvey broke through to attack again winning a corner of their own after a North Down defender was judged to be too close to a free hit. The strike hit a North Down body on the line and Garvey scored the resulting penalty stroke. Before the end of the second quarter Garvey were awarded another stroke after a foot on the line and the score was 4-0 at half time.

North Down were a different team in the third quarter, suddenly able to find the gaps in midfield that had been closed in the first half. Rhiannon Davies worked end to end in left midfield, launching attacks of her own and tracking back to block shots in the North Down circle.  Andrea Mockford held the ball well in the centre before slotting a beautifully weighted pass for Connie Magee to run on to on the right. Magee played a lovely ball to the back post but no one could connect.

The hosts were gaining confidence and enjoyed a good period of possession in the Garvey half. Despite several penalty corners being won by North Down, they were well dealt with by the visitors’ defence who were then quick to launch a counter attack. North Down’s Judith Orr made several well timed tackles to save further scoring chances and the third quarter was goalless.

The final quarter saw some good attacks by young Gabby Scates in midfield who was unlucky not to score herself on the back post late in the game. The resulting scuffle on the line saw North Down awarded a penalty stroke of their own which was slotted in by Jenna Frazer and the game ended 4-1 to Garvey.

Burch Autos Player of the Match was shared by Angelique Toombs and Jenna Frazer.