North Down win 10 goal thriller
North Down entertained PSNI at the Leisure Centre on Saturday hoping to get revenge from a defeat in earlier fixture
PSNI had an early chance but Rodgers saved and the rebound was missed. Boyd and Templeton combined to win a corner but McKeowns effort went wide. North won another corner for a stick tackle and McKeown made no mistake flicking into the roof of the net.North were awarded a free but the PSNI failed to clear and a corner was awarded. On this occasion the attempt at goal was blocked.
Early in the second quarter PSNI broke down the left and the reverse shot went high over the bar. It was McKeown at the other end who sent a shot wide.McKane and Blair combined but the cross was wide. North were dominating play and McKeown extended his sides lead when he finished off some good interplay. The police pressed to get back into the game but Rodgers cleared the danger. Gilmore was causing problems and he won a penalty when fouled in the circle. McKeown stepped up and completed his hat trick when he sent the keeper the wrong way. Templeton was next in the action but his effort went wide.Just before halftime Gilmore and McKane combined to win a corner but this was well defended.
The game really sparked into life in the third quarter. Todd made a strong run winning a corner which North were unable to clear. The police were awarded a penalty stroke when the ball came off a defenders foot. This was easily converted. The comeback was short lived. Gilmore made a good run and won a corner when his cross came of a defenders foot. This time McKeown switched the ball to the right and Boyd was on hand to divert the ball into the net. Mills made an interception but his reverse effort went wide.Wilson was making strong runs down the right but his crosses were cut out by the defence at the expense of a long corner. A strong run by Linter won a corner but this was cleared. Templeton played a great ball out of defence. It found McKeown who played a reverse pass to Gilmore who scored at the back post. The police silenced the home support when they scored three quick goals without reply. The first was a penalty stroke when a defender was penalised for a poor tackle. Todd then scored with a strong strike which gave Rodgers no chance. The third came just before the end of the quarter when a defensive clearance was cut out and the cross was met by the incoming forward who had a simple tap in from in front of goal.
Linter had to retire leaving coach Massey to reorganise his defensive unit.The police piled on the pressure as they searched for the equaliser and panic crept into North defence but they held firm. A cross from Templeton hit the post when Gilmore looked to be favourite to receive for a simple tap in. Templeton attempted to play Blair in but the pass was too firm. As the police pressed Rodgers kept his side ahead with two exceptional saves. In the final minutes North were awarded a penalty for a poor tackle and McKeown got his fourth from the spot. This knocked the steam out of the police and North ran out winners by 6-4.
Burch Autos man of match Gareth McKeown