Mens firsts get revenge over Queens
Having failed to get into the top half of the Premier League at the season’s midpoint, North Down were determined to get back to winning ways when they entertained Queen’s on Saturday in the lower section. North Down had a disappointing result at Queens earlier in the season and were looking for revenge.
Still without the injured Clarke and Wilson, North Down set about their business in a positive manner. Queens were playing with confidence and neither team was able to get the upper hand. Play was confined to midfield but with Morris beginning to dictate the play North Down put pressure on the Queens circle. An excellent move involving Linter and McKeown was finished off by the alert Josh Gilmore to put North Down ahead.
The second half saw much more goal mouth action with both sides winning a number of short corners. Queens equalised after 10 minutes when the home defence failed to stop the winger and his cross was slotted past Rodgers. North Down upped the pace and Moore was causing all sorts of problems as he harassed the defenders with his speed. Moore won a corner which was saved by the keeper but McKeown was on hand to flick the rebound home. Moore’s pace caused further problems for the visitors and he set up Gilmore for his second and North Down’s third. Templeton saw his short corner effort go narrowly past and then Queens won a number of corners but the defence held firm. On one occasion Linter cleared a corner off the line but North Down sealed the victory when McKeown added their fourth 10 minutes from the end.
North Down must press now to finish top of the lower section of the league and cannot afford a slip up when they travel to Antrim this Saturday.
PMB Man of the Match: Jonny Moore.