North Down fall 3–1 to Coleraine in Senior 1 opener despite strong start

North Down travelled to the north of the country this weekend to play their first league match of the new season after securing their place in Senior 1 in May of this year. With the new season comes new faces with a number of players making their debut performances: Tara Leckie, Sarah Taylor, Leah Gamble and Regan Armstrong. Travelling with the team this season is Coach Robbie McMinn who has settled into his new role at North Down Hockey Club, working hard to develop and build teams to their potential.

In the first quarter of the match, North Down started out strong with multiple attacks with the Coleraine keeper being called into action early on. North Down were unlucky not to score from these opportunities. The second penalty corner won by North Down resulted in a fantastic goal from Megan Murray as she slapped it in past the keeper. As the quarter continued, North Down continued to put pressure on Coleraine however it wasn’t long until the defence were under pressure from the home side. The whole team bust a gut as Coleraine pushed for an equaliser, with their persistence paying off as they were awarded a penalty corner, leading to the equaliser they had fought so hard for. The first half ended 1-1.

The second half started with both teams looking for that winning goal. North Down worked hard to get shots on goal with the midfield working tirelessly to get the ball up the pitch to the forward line to create those all important winning opportunities.

Coleraine were next to score when they packed the circle with their players and slotted the ball into the bottom corner. North Down continued to push to equalise and gambled on the attack resulting in chances on goal, however the Coleraine defence stood strong.

In the final quarter Coleraine were awarded a short corner, for reasons unknown, which they deflected into goal. The match finished 3-1 to the home team, Coleraine. Unfortunately, it was not the result North Down were seeking to start their season but the strength and resilience within this team will ensure a positive, uplifting and challenging team performance in next week’s match at home to Ballymena 1st XI.

This week’s Burch Autos Player of the Match has been awarded to Kathryn McGregor who made incredible saves solidifying a close result against the opposition.