North Down lose out at Kilkeel
Having defeated Kilkeel in a pre season friendly North Down travelled in a buoyant mood looking to improve their league position. However, they returned disappointed following a 4-3 defeat, a result which flattered the Mourne men.
The game opened at a frantic pace with both sides probing for opportunities.It was North Down who took the early initiative when Andy McGimpsey found Josh Gilmore free at the top of the circle and the big striker swivelled before unleashing an unstoppable reverse shot into the roof of the net. Their lead was short lived however when slack marking at the back allowed Kilkeel in on a two on one and the striker had little trouble in slotting home .North Down went back on the attack and Tweedie put Wilson through to slot the ball under the advancing keeper and into the net. Just before the end of the quarter Kilkeel won a corner which was deflected by the unlucky Boyd past Rodgers and into the net.
The second quarter was a much tighter affair as both teams had problems breaking down solid defences. It was North Down however who created the chances. Firstly Gilmore had a snap shot well saved and then Shannon brought the best save of the game from the home keeper when his goal bound shot was turned round the post. Jordan Linter made a great goal line clearance from a well worked Kilkeel corner before good play from Templeton saw Welsh meet the cross but his deflection went over the bar with the keeper beaten.
The third quarter saw North Down again take the lead .Gilmore again found space at the top of the circle and he crashed the ball past the keeper. The umpire allowed play to continue after a Kilkeel foul and Shannon had a chance to score but he was unable to make contact with the bouncing ball from 5 yards out. A fine run by Ross Linter saw him cross in front of goal, Gilmore did not make proper contact with the ball and deflected it out of Welsh’s reach. If no contact had been made Welsh would have had a simple tap in. Kilkeel won a corner and their slick routine brought them the equaliser. The ball was switched right and the winger deflected into the roof of the net.
North Down lost control in the final quarter and allowed Kilkeel to dominate.They won a corner and repeated the routine to allow the winger to put them in the lead for the first time in the game.Try as they might North Down were unable to break down the home defence. The closest they came was when Gilmore flicked a corner just wide of the post A disappointing result and a game from which North Down deserved at least a share of the spoils.
At the end of the day it was Kilkeel’s short corner routine that secured them the points. North Down must work hard to improve their own routine as they failed to score from five opportunities.
Burch Autos Man of the Match was Connor Tweedie.