North Down disappoint at Shaws Bridge

Although Inst were the better team and deserved to win North Down will feel aggrieved with some of the decisions and the sending offs in particular. Once in the third quarter and again in final quarter North were reduced to 9 players when similar incidences from Inst players went unpunished. Also North Down lost Templeton before the game started when he pulled a hamstring

The game started at a fast pace and it was North Down who were first to put on the pressure. McKeown won a corner and his effort was well cleared of the line by a defender. Wilson made a strong run but saw his reverse flash wide. After 7 minutes Ross Blair won the ball in midfield and attacked the circle unchallenged. On reaching the circle he unleashed an unstoppable shot past the keeper. Jonny Linter beat a couple of defenders but his shot went wide. Inst began to get more of the ball and had a shot go wide. They won a free and the initial shot was blocked but their centre forward was first to react and slotted pat Rodgers to bring the scores equal. Blair injured his back and was unable to continue.

At the start of the second quarter Linter had a reverse go wide. Inst attacked down the right and Jordan Linter was penalised at the expense of a corner. The initial shot was saved but the Inst forward was first to react to the rebound and smashed the ball into the net. Inst won another corner when the ball hit Linter’s feet but their variation went wide. Inst were now in control and went further ahead when the defence was split open and a forward was left unmarked and had the simple task of placing the ball in the net. A cross was deflected dangerously high and a corner was awarded. At the second attempt the routine worked perfectly and they extended their lead.

At the start of the third quarter McKane won a corner but McKeowns effort was saved. Tweedie was penalised for an illegal obstruction and received a green card. Ross linter crossed the ball into the circle but Gilmore was unable to get a touch. Linter crossed and the ball came of a foot. McKeown dispatched the ball into the net. Linter felt he was fouled and received a yellow card when he made his feelings known to the umpire. Inst attacked down the left and when the ball came into the circle the forward crashed the ball into the roof of the net. Just before the end of the quarter McKane and Tweedie combined to win a corner but Templeton’s effort was cleared.

McKeown crashed the ball in but no one was able to get a touch. Both sides exchanged corners. Norths was saved but Inst effort was blasted into the roof of the net. The game with about 10 minutes remaining was basically over when first Linter received a red card and then Wilson a yellow which effectively meant finishing out the game with 9 players.

Although sometimes frustrating the umpires decisions are always correct and we must learn to accept them whether we agree or not.

Burch Autos man of match Conor Tweedie.