North Down lose out to Instonians

North Down had to forgo home advantage for their home game with Instonians due to the condition of the pitch at the Leisure Centre. Thanks to Campbell College we were able to secure the use of their facilities.

North Down opened on the attack and McKeown had an effort saved at the expense of a corner but this went wide. McKane made a fine intercept and crossed but unfortunately no one was able to get on the end of it. Inst began to put on the pressure winning a number of corners and Robinson put the visitors ahead with a strong flick into the corner of the net.Just before the break McKeown crossed but the Inst defence managed to keep the ball out despite a real scramble in front of goal.

There was little goalmouth action in the second quarter. Bailie had a shot go wide and at other end Rodgers had to be on his toes to make a sharp save. Inst won a corner for feet but this was cleared.Wilson made a run and his cross was deflected over the byline by a defender. However the long corner was cleared.

Inst increased their lead at the start of the third quarter. Their right winger was allowed to run the byline and cross for a simple tap in. Shortly afterwards McKeown and Jordan Linter combined and a foul on Linter resulted in a corner which was slotted home by Welsh. Inst got a third again from a short corner when Jordan Linter was penalised for a stick tackle. Inst went further ahead when the left winger was left unmarked and his cross was slotted home to give his side a comfortable lead.

North Down had their chances in the final quarter. Firstly Templeton won a corner which was cleared. Then McKeown blasted over. McKeown played Blair in with an overhead and from the resulting corner McKeowns effort was cleared of the line by a defender with the keeper well beaten. Inst broke to the other end winning a corner which was converted. North Down pushed forward an a strong run by Tweedie saw McKane reduce the arrears with a deft touch. Another scramble occurred in front of the Inst goal but no one was able to get the ball over the line and the ball was cleared. In their final attack North Down created a 2v1 but McKanes pass was played to far in front of skipper Wilson and the chance was gone.

Final score North Down 2 Inst 5.

Burch Autos man of match Jordan Linter.