Solid performance from the seconds secures the points
North Down seconds hosted Mossley seconds last Saturday in a match looking to reverse a 4-1 loss to the Newtownabbey boys in December. It was a game that will go someway on deciding who gets promotion. North Down are in the mix and probably need to win most of their remaining games to go up.
The game started at a quick pace with Mossley getting a few through balls through the middle which were consistently cut out by veteran defender Paul Beaney.
North Down took control of the game and created several good chances. A ball over the top by skipper Dalzell set Mark Shannon free who used his 10 yard burst of pace to good use, teased the keeper and passed to Andrew Welsh but he lost control of the ball at the vital moment and the chance was gone. Harry Templeton then saw a short corner narrowly go wide of the post and it was still all square at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter continued in much the same fashion as the first. Andy Walls pulled up with a injury which required James Shields to return to left back. Young James was having a great game and was constantly pushing forward into midfield and making good use of the ball. Paddy Smith at right back, going from strength to strength each week, was making good runs forward and progressing the ball up the pitch but an evenly balanced first half remained goalless.
The third quarter finally saw North Down make the breakthrough when Scott Moore finished well with Mark Shannon watching the ball at every step to ensure it went in. Ten minutes later, Scott Irwin who has scored some vital goals this season took a casual strike of the ball which had the keeper beaten and goal bound only for Mark Shannon to get the last touch and add to his impressive goal tally this year moving into third place in the North Down season’s rankings in the process.
Into the final quarter and with two goals to the good, the hosts contained the game well and managed to keep Mossley to one good chance when they broke through but, with only Peter Gray to beat, the home keeper pulled off a wonder save to keep the visitors out and settle the game at 2-0.
Special mention to the young guns. James Shields who progresses each week and starting to be a key cog in keeping things ticking over in possession and Paddy Smith is getting stronger every week showing great strength and desire to progress the ball. Exciting times.
The Burch Autos Man of the Match award was shared by James Shields and Paddy Smith.
