Single point at Stormont – is it enough?
North Down travelled to Stormont last Saturday for a Premier League game which was of vital importance to both teams as they try to stave off relegation worries.
It was North Down who started the stronger and Gareth McKeown put them ahead after 5 minutes when he converted a penalty corner. Another corner followed but this time the effort went wide. Service were happy to throw overhead passes for their forwards to chase and Darren Rodgers had to be on his toes to clear the danger. North Down almost doubled their lead when Jonny Linter played an inch perfect pass to McKeown on the left, he drew the keeper and crossed for Gareth Bailie to tap into an empty goal but he failed to make contact and the danger was averted.
The second quarter belonged to Service and two goals in as many minutes put them ahead 2-1. The equaliser came when they attacked down the right and when Rodgers failed to cut out the cross the centre forward reacted quickest and put into the empty net. Almost immediately they attacked down the left and crossed for the centre forward to crash home from the top of the circle. Rodgers was then called on to block a cross from the left and make a sharp save from a short corner. As time ran out in the half McKeown saw a reverse go wide and then a good move involving Jamie Orr and Ross Blair saw the whites win a corner but this was easily cleared.
The second half began with both sides probing for opportunities. North Down won a free which was quickly taken by Jordan Linter and, as he advanced, he played a super ball into the circle. Bailie reacted quickest and deflected the ball into the net making up for his earlier miss. A long ball out of defence found McKeown but his pass was behind Phil Wilson who had found space in a dangerous position still searching for that elusive 100th career goal. Jordan Linter was penalised for feet and Rodgers deflected the shot at goal over the bar before Jonny Linter, pushing forward, won a corner which was saved. More pressure from the visitors saw McKeown finding space high up the field but he failed to control Linter’s pass.
The final quarter saw both teams press for the winner but neither was able to create any opportunities. Both sides will be disappointed that they did not convert the chances that came their way but in the end a draw seemed a fair result which leaves the relegation position still undecided and both teams have everything to play for in the remaining games.
Burch Autos Man of the Match was Jonny Linter.
