North Down Show Grit in Tough Conditions Despite Defeat to Bangor

North Down hosted Bangor on what could only be described as an inclement autumn day, with the wind howling even the umpires refused to make their way onto the pitch until 3 minutes from the arranged push back.

The squad of 18 strong for north down started the game off quietly, as Bangor we’re eager to create early chances, an attack into the North down circle in the opening minutes saw Bangor win an early corner, which was well worked and found itself deflected past Rodgers. North Down did not try to let this phase them and continued to create space through the middle with Linter and Tweedie creating good opportunities. But as North pushed up the pitch an unfortunate turnover led to a 2v1 and the Bangor players knocked in a second with seconds left in the 1st qtr

The second quarter started much the same as the first, north down struggled to maintain possession and a slip up in midfield created an opportunity for a Bangor player to to run in unopposed and fire home a 3rd goal. Following this north down continued to try and claw back and the first glimmers of hope arrived with a piercing attack on the left side of the pitch getting some well needed territory, and a crash ball from Graham led to North downs first PC of the match , Oliver Smith stepped up to place a strong flick to the keepers left, dealt with but another corner after found the keeper right foot this time, to no avail.

Bangor then began more attack themselves and after repossessing the ball in the North 23 , found another corner, and another goal. 

4-0 at Half time and something needed to change, and it did. North down started the 3rd quarter with nothing to lose and pressed high, brilliant run along the base in the opening minutes found Linter free in the circle who found the backboard. 4-1 unfortunately the high press created space behind and a lapse in concentration allowed Bangor into the Circle and another was scored. North down continued to play more flowing hockey and with the wind behind them started to find more space, but the forwards who hadn’t had much to do most of the match failed to get their first touch in on a number of aerial balls, first with Templeton deflecting off the baseline and then with Gilmore deflecting of his body. 

North down managed to get another batch of corners with the first straight at the Bangor keeper and the second a more successful flick by the goal scoring machine of Josh Gilmore who has made it 4 from 4 in the prem this season. With tensions starting to escalate Bangor we’re given multiple warnings regarding physical challenges, however it was the younger Boyd who was first send for 5 following a clash of shoulders with a player known as “Aggro”…

North Down started the final quarter with 10 men but continued to press and work in units, winning the ball multiple times within the Bangor final 3rd, with the highlights of this being a free shot from Gilmore unfortunately dragged wide…in the end North Down pressed, Bangor scored on the break, and Andrew Welsh received another card for being an idiot. A performance that North Down will hope to move past and reflect on the positives. 

Burch Autos Man of the Match: Jonny Linter