Bann back to winning ways

Bann entered the game minus the injured Steven Dowds, Gareth Lennox, Hugh McShane and Ross McCandless.

Play started with Bann passing the ball around the park with ease not allowing the home team to get a foothold in the match indeed for long periods the home side where unable to touch the ball.

It came as no surprise when Bann took the lead through Ross Beattie finished well from close in following some excellent approach play.

Despite this reverse the home side continued to defend from the half way line allowing the Bann back four and midfield pick their passes. This approach allowed Bann to double the lead when Matthew Bell picked out Ben Cosgrove who easily beat his defender and cross from right to left to enable Scott Caruth to score at the back post.

Only for the home keeper the score could have been doubled as he made several quality saves from Caruth penalty corners. He was however left flat footed when Bann switched their fifth corner to allow Owen Magee to slide in to put the result beyond doubt before halftime.

At the start of the second half the home side finally decided to try and attack but any efforts were easily dealt with by Drew Carlisle, Matthew Bell, Stephen and Scott Forbes and as the half progressed Bann penned North Down into their own half with Dane Ward being a constant thorn to the home defence.

The Bann midfield of Peter and Philip Brown and Ross Beattie showed admirable composure keeping the ball moving and not resorting to running the ball at every opportunity.

Play petered out with Bann at one stage made more than thirty passes without a NorthDown player touching the ball.

All in all a very mature and composed display by a very young side and a result that will help build confidence as the team start to prepare for upcoming IHL and Irish Cup matches.

Team: A.Appleton, D.Carlisle, M. Bell, S. Forbes, S.Forbes, R. Beattie, P.Brown, P.Brown, B. Cosgrove, D.Ward, S.Caruth, O.Magee, C. Dowds