ForzaForth
10/02/2013, 6:21 PM
Very comfortable win for the away side this afternoon in a pitch which was switched from North End's unplayable ground to Curracloe, which has fantastic drainage as it laid on a natural sand base. North End were fine going forward but were in disarray all afternoon at the back every time the ball awas delivered into the box. First chance fell to Pike after five when the impressive Moloney went round the NE keeper but he mi**** his effort and the retreating defender was able to clear it off the line. There was then a yellow card apiece and, after fifteen, Shane Dempsey had NE's first effort when he got a good shot away from 25 out which the Pike keeper found it difficult enough to parry away. Pike then had another good chance when a backheel deflected off a NE defender and nearly ended up in the top-left corner. First goal for Pike occuured after 25 minutes when a Pike free kick hit away beyond the far post was well-retrieved back to the near post by Pike leaving an easy nod home. NE then had a free header themselves from a corner but put it wide. With five to go in the half, Pike went two up when another cross into the box was bundled into his own net by a disoriented NE defender. 2-0 to Pike at half-time.