Valuable points secured in Portadown
North Down travelled to Portadown last Saturday in search of points which could take them out of the Premier League relegation zone.
In the seventh minute Josh Gilmore and Gareth Bailie combined and Bailie rounded his man before hammering home. Almost immediately, Portadown attacked and saw an effort crash off the crossbar to safety. Bailie was causing the home defence problems winning a corner but this was cleared. At the other end Portadown won a corner and Darren Rodgers had to make a great double save to keep his team in front. A great passing move gave skipper Phil Wilson a chance in front of goal to secure his 100th goal for the club but alas the chance went a begging. He then won a corner but this was cleared and just before the whistle Shannon sent in a great cross but no one was able to get on the end of it.
North Down were dominant in the second quarter. Jordan Linter spotted early danger and diverted it at the expense of a corner which was wasted by the home team. Jonny Linter moved upfield and played a fine ball into the circle but Gilmore failed to get a touch. Gareth McKeown then had an opportunity but his shot went wide before Gilmore then made space in the circle and Knipe made a great save from his reverse shot. Andy Boyd made ground and found McKeown but his effort on goal was wide. Connor Tweedie, continuing his great recent form, made a great intercept in the Portadown half giving himself a clear run at goal and he blasted the ball past Knipe from the edge of the circle to make it 2-0 at half time.
The third quarter saw North Down continue to control the game but play was contained in midfield with little goal mouth action until McKeown worked his way into the circle and crossed superbly for Mark Shannon to score and seemingly make it safe for North Down at 3-0.
However, no one told Portadown and in the final quarter they came to life and put North Down under pressure. On 54 minutes they played a one two and the winger scored at the back post. Ross Linter played a great ball into the circle which Jamie Orr just failed to make contact with and then a dangerous cross into the North Down circle was missed by everyone. North Down were having to defend for their lives and eventually poor marking allowed Portadown to pull another goal back with 7 minutes left. North Down ran the clock down by keeping possession and frustrating Portadown and with no further goals North Down gained three very valuable points as nearest rivals Civil Service also picked up maximum points against Raphoe.
Burch Autos Man of the Match was Connor Tweedie.
