North Down 2s Show Grit but Cookstown Clinch Win

North Down 2s returned to action for their first game of the new year, but once again found themselves battling a familiar script with a slow start costing them dearly against Cookstown 2s.

Despite a bright opening spell, North Down struggled to find early rhythm. Captain Gareth Bailie, making his first appearance of the season after a long spell out injured, had two good chances to break the deadlock. The first saw Bailie attempt to square the ball across goal, but the pass unfortunately drifted behind Scott Irwin. The second chance followed a positive one-on-one where Bailie beat his defender and tried to finish on the reverse, but the effort lacked clean contact – understandable rustiness showing after time away from the pitch.

Phil Wilson also came close following an excellent run from Toby, who was making his first start for North Down this season. Toby drove strongly into the circle before laying the ball off to Wilson, but the tight angle proved difficult and the chance went begging.

Cookstown were far more clinical and capitalised on North Down lapses. Three goals before the break came from moments of lost concentration, with intercepted passes allowing Cookstown to break quickly and punish North Down on the counter. At half time, the score stood 3–0 to the visitors.

After a strong and direct team talk from Coach McBride, a very different North Down side emerged in the second half. The response was immediate, with Bailie grabbing a quick goal through excellent forward pressing and a sharp counter attack to pull one back.

Momentum swung firmly in North Down’s favour and a second goal soon followed. Wilson forced a save from the Cookstown keeper, but showed great awareness and determination to follow up on the reverse and make it 3–2.

North Down pushed hard for an equaliser for the remainder of the match, creating several promising opportunities, but were unable to find the decisive touch. Thomas Barr produced a superb driving run and delivered a dangerous ball across goal, but Shannon was unable to convert at the back post.

In the end, the match was a case of what might have been. Rustiness was evident in front of goal, with several good chances not taken, but the second-half performance showed real character and promise. If North Down can start matches with the same intensity they finished this one, results will surely follow in the weeks ahead.

MOTM- shared between Toby and Public