North Down defeated away to Mossley

North Down travelled to Mossley for their first away game of the new season.

Looking to build on a narrow loss against Instonians midweek, the team started quickly and scored the opening goal after winning the ball high up the pitch, with McKane winning a penalty stroke after rounding the keeper. Gilmore calmly slotted the opener into the side netting from the spot.

However, this lead was short lived as Mossley equalised after a diagonal ball caught out the north down defence and the Mossley striker slotted home after reacting first to the rebound.

North down had a good opportunity to retake the lead when a fast break lead to a 2v1 opportunity in the Mossley D. Unfortunately, Templetons square ball around the keeper to McClements was cut out by a recovering defender.

Instead it was Mossley who took the lead to end the first quarter as they won a penalty corner and quickly converted with a long handle hit to the bottom corner.

Mossley came close to extending their lead from a penalty corner early in the second quarter but it was well saved from keeper Rodgers. Rodgers again made a fine save to keep Mossley out after they turned the ball over high up the pitch. However, inevitably Mossley extended their lead with another penalty corner conversion.

Mossley went into half time 4-1 up after converting yet another penalty corner with north down failing to learn from their errors.

In the second half corners were much better defended between a combination of excellent saves from Rodgers and improved running from the corner defence team.

Templeton had a good chance to get a goal back following a great tackle and charge into the attacking D, but the reverse shot flashed wide.

Mossley went 5-1 up after intercepting a pass around the back line and finished with the reverse shot.

North down did well to show some resilience to regain a foothold in the game when they got a goal back. Graham posted up well and fired the ball through the keepers legs after a slapped ball in from Tweedie.

North down continued to move the ball much better from defence into attack showing some glimses of quality to end a much better 3rd quarter.

Early in the final quarter Mossley nearly got their sixth goal with a looping ball over Rodgers head but Bruce was on hand to deflect it off the goal line. Mossley then scored to make it 6-2 with a first time deflection from a baseline cross.

As Mossley dropped their press deeper in the final quarter North Down were able to sustain some good pressure with quick passing moves. This resulted in a goal from a nicely worked penalty corner with McKane deflecting a Gilmore flick in at the back post. This was nothing less than what McKane deserved in his final game before heading across the water for university following stand out performances in both opening fixtures.

As the game entered the final minutes North Down’s discipline started to break down from frustration and tired legs. This resulted in be a green card for McKane and yellow card for Tweedie.

The game ended 6-3 to Mossley leaving the comber men lots to improve upon for their next league game away against Harlequins at Deramore park.

Burch Autos Man of the match: David Morris.