Shannon Hat-Trick Not Enough as Mossley Edge North Down in Late Comeback

North Down 1st XI hosted Mossley for the early 1pm pass back at Enler. With a list of absentees, particularly in the midfield dept, it was a slightly different setup for the team.

After opening exchanges from both sides, it was Mossley who took the lead. A pass through the top of the North Down circle was deflected high into the back of the net by a Mossley forward nipping in front of their marker.

North Down responded well. Mark Shannon received the ball on the left side of the Mossley circle and had a clear chance at goal, but his effort was saved. Thomas Barr then made a very strong dribble down the left flank and delivered a flashing ball across the circle. Shannon got on the end of it and this time finished it strongly.

North Down then took the lead when an attack at goal resulted in the ball hitting a Mossley player on the line, awarding a penalty stroke. Mark Shannon stepped up to convert it and give North Down a 2-1 lead into half time.

North Down extended their lead in the 3rd quarter from a penalty corner. It was misinjected so the ball was carefully brought outside the circle firstly before an improvised routine and Shannon was there again to score and complete his hat trick. A shot from Andrew Welsh hit the back of the net but was chalked off as it deflected off a North Down body on its way to goal. The game was becoming increasingly physical and both teams began receiving cards for some heavy tackles. On the final whistle of the 3rd quarter, Mossley pulled a crucial goal back from a switched penalty corner to make it 3-2.

Mossley pulled this momentum into the final quarter. North Down had to defend doggedly and there was a number of good saves from Darren Rodgers. However the visitors pulled level with a varied short corner routine. Jordan Linter received a yellow card for his tackle against a Mossley forward through on goal. North Down unfortunately couldn’t see the game out and Mossley grabbed the winner from another penalty corner. This marked a strong performance again from North Down but, frustratingly, no points to show for it.

Burch Autos Man of the Match: Mark Shannon