Unlucky North Down
North Down entertained Portadown in a rearranged Premier League game on Wednesday evening at Comber Leisure Centre. They were dealt a blow before the game when playmaker Jonny Linter had to cry off with flu.
The first real action of the game saw Portadown win a corner which was saved at the expense of another. Rodgers again saved but a Portadown striker was on hand to slam home the rebound.
McKane was causing problems down the left and he provided a cross which was met by Bailie but his effort went over the top. A Portadown defender played a high ball out of defence at the expense of a corner and the ball was perfectly worked round the circle to give Boyd a tap in goal at the far post. At the other end poor defending gave Portadown a corner but this was cleared.
North Down controlled the second quarter .Portadown became frustrated and were having difficulty clearing their defence. At one point they were reduced to 8 players. However while controlling the ball North Down were unable to take advantage of their extra numbers. They won a number of corners which were easily cleared and then McKane won a penalty flick when his effort was stopped by a foot on the line. Unfortunately his effort from the spot was easily saved by the keeper. Just before the whistle for halftime Portadown won a flick for a stick tackle but to North’s relief this went wide.
Blair attacked the circle winning a free. A quick free saw the home side win a corner which was saved but the ball entered the net from the rebound.The umpire said he had blown his whistle and awarded another corner before the ball went over the line.The resulting corner was cleared. At the other end Rodgers made a fine save from a reverse shot. Portadown won a corner and scored their second from a rebound after Rodgers had saved the initial shot.
In the final quarter as North pushed for the equaliser they won a series of corners but these didn’t threaten the Portadown goal. North Down players became frustrated and were reduced to 9 when Tweedie and Linter received cards. Portadown won a corner and a well rehearsed switch gave Rodgers no chance. With 11 players back on the pitch North Down continued to push and a McKeown reverse went close. McKane made a strong run down the left winning a corner but this went wide.
A disappointing end to a good game from which the home side deserved to at least get a share of the spoils