North Down lose out Again

North Down entertained South Antrim in their last home game in the Premier League at the Leisure Centre. They were without four key players who were either injured or unavailable

North Down opened at a fast pace and destroyed the South defence with fast flowing hockey. McKeown made a strong run into the circle and attacked along the baseline before slipping the perfect pass to Harry Templeton who scored at the near post. The Templeton brothers linked up to win a long corner but this was cleared. Jonny Linter made ground and crossed only to see Gilmore’s deflection go wide. McKane was next to attack the circle winning a short corner which Phil Templeton tucked nicely into the corner of the net. At the other end Rodgers had to be on his toes to block a South attack. South failed to deal with a McKeown cross and Tweedie was on hand to flick home

The second quarter told a different story. South pressed and won a series of corners scoring all three,the second of which should have been cleared as the initial shot was saved and the ball was there to be swept away but the defenders seemed to leave to each other and the South forward nipped in to score.

There was little goalmouth action in the third quarter. South had the bulk of the possession but the home defence held firm.Jonny Linter made ground winning a free which was cleared.South had a shot but it was deflected wide.

At the start of the final quarter McKeown won a penalty corner but the effort went wide. With about 7 minutes remaining the ball hit a defenders foot winning a corner for the visitors. The shot on goal was deflected off Jonny Linter’s stick into the net. In the final minutes both sides won corners but no further goals were scored leaving North Down wondering how they didn’t secure something from the game

BURCH Autos man of match Conor Tweedie