Mens thirds lose to Bangor ………….. again!
North Down thirds faced Bangor thirds for the fourth time this season and knew they would have their work cut out against the stand out league leaders.
A tactical change of formation frustrated the visitors and North Down played some of their best possession hockey of the season during the first 10 minutes. Holding strong in defence and creating chances further up the field was not expected by the experienced Bangor side and perhaps they realized there was a proper game to contend with? As the first quarter was closing in, Bangor reminded the hosts of how dangerous they can be and a swift passing move resulted in a short corner that was well dispatched on the whistle for the first break.
Into the second quarter and North Down came out fighting. Great work from Andy Walls as he pressed forward and found Ben Bond in the centre of the area where the young striker teed himself up for an excellent finish to make it 1-1. The quarter continued with the whites holding firm and limiting Bangor’s chances with excellent work rate from Scott Graham and Walls in the middle of the pitch. However, just as the first goal, Bangor found a way around the home defence and a crash ball was expertly deflected into the top corner form the young Bangor striker just before half time.
Tactics remained the same into the third quarter but Bangor were able to step it up a gear as fitness levels of the Comber men dropped. Chances were created and Adam Boyd did really well on a number of occasions with some fine saves. As pressure grew Bangor extended their lead with two quick fire goals after initial saves from Boyd that were failed to be cleared from danger. With a three goal deficit, North Down pushed an extra man up top in the final quarter and won a number of unconverted short corners and, although they fought to the end, they conceded a further goal to finish the game beaten 5-1. A more spirited performance against this Bangor side than previous encounters.
Burch Autos Man of the Match was Adam Boyd.
