Late equaliser denies mens thirds full points

North Down third hosted Mossley thirds at Regent House on Saturday in glorious sunshine.

Looking to get back to winning ways, with the reality of a four team relegation this year starting to sink in, the hosts got off to a great start controlling possession with the returning Aaron Mills pulling the strings in centre-midfield. A new look thirds side saw young Daniel Griffin, Jonny Proctor and Jack Myles drafted in, none looking out of place. With all the possession, the breakthrough came in the first quarter when Ben Bond deflected a long pass onto Pyper who lured the keeper and his marker wide and slipped the ball inside for Bond to continue his good work in the move and finish on the reverse into the empty net.

The second quarter was limited with few chances at both ends. Pyper rattling the post from a well struck reverse and at the other end Mockford and Purvis keeping Mossley at bay. Just before the break, the Comber side lost stalwart Paul Beaney due to injury and perhaps a little inexperience of when and how to clear you lines was then telling, when Mossley got back into the game with a scrappy goal.

North Down responded well and Stephen Forrest kept close control and his cool in the circle, creating the space he needed to slot home to regain the lead. At this stage the thirds should have seen the game out and had a few shorts that they failed to convert. With 5 minutes to go, Mossley attacked down the right hand side and their winger was allowed to beat two defenders before a deflected cross that was expected to be cleared by the hosts, was set upon by the Mossley striker and pushed home from close range. Another scrappy goal that left a bad taste after the final whistle. A point is a point but this draw felt like a loss.

Burch Autos Player of the Match was Oliver Smith.