Backs to the wall showing gives Seconds a point

PORTRUSH II 2

Portrush travelled to Portadown on Friday evening looking to continue from where they left off before the Christmas break.

Portrush, playing their best hockey of the season, were able to take the lead through Tom Cartmill, who ghosted in at the back post to deflect the ball into the goal following Peter McMullan’s off-target effort from the short corner. With their tails up, Portrush continued to dominate the early stages and doubled their lead soon after when Barry McMullan was put through on goal. After rounding the goalkeeper, McMullan was forced wide but was able to shot powerfully from the tight angle with the defender on the line unable to keep the ball out.

An injury stoppage allowed the Portadown players to have a team talk and change their shape.

It was from a short corner that Portadown got back in the game: a shot was well saved by McAllister but the rebound was put away.

Portrush were aggrieved that a ‘free’ was taken from the wrong position and as they argued, Portadown took the ‘free’ quickly and won a short corner. Again, Gordy McAllister was able to pull off a good initial save from the short but the ball fell kindly to a Portadown forward who was able to tap in from close range.

With only a few minutes remaining and with a man disadvantage, Portrush sat back in hope of securing a draw, McAllister was superb in the Portrush goal to seal an important point.

Portrush II: McAllister, Hutchinson, Cartmill, P McMullan, J McMullan, Kerr, Henry, Horner, McCook, B McMullan, Dalzell, Hogg (C), Douglas, Holmes, Manson

MOTM: Barry McMullan