Men’s 3s Triumphs in Double Header

North Down Men’s 3rd XI hosted Cookstown for a league cup group match. After last week’s impressive 5-0 victory against Saintfield, the revamped team felt confident about continuing their winning streak. North started fast and had a gameplan to keep possession and play patient hockey, resisting ‘Holywood’ passes and hopeful long balls. Early season, skipper Sam Pyper could forgive his side for straying from the gameplan but expects improvements week on week to get the mentality right in time for the league campaign. In the spells when they kept ball and played short passes, they dominated. Excellent support and options were provided all over the pitch with Andy Walls acting as pivot in centre midfield. It wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken when Gordy Brown smashed home from a loose ball top circle. He soon added his second as he bundled his way through to the top and replicated his earlier strike. It was 2 nil at the quarter. The second period was a bit scrappy as Cookstown tried to get back into the game. Their experienced forward threatened and won a short corner but could not convert past the ND defence. No further goals into half time break. The half time message was to reset and get back to the gameplan. The next quarter was cagey enough for the first 10 mins but Gordy Brown completed his hattrick with a close range reverse following an initial save from the keeper. The hosts legs started to tire as a number had previously played prior to pushback. North maintained the pressure with Saintfield chasing ball and when in possession, Saintfield were suspect on the counter attack. Alex McComb picked up the ball on the right and cut inside into the area and unleashed a strong reverse with the keeper only able to parry into the net. In the final seconds Pyper beat the last man and with goal gaping and many expecting him to shoot, he played a slide rule pass square to the oncoming Paddy Kerr, who took one touch and finished just on the whistle. A 5-0 victory and very enjoyable game.