Mens firsts lose out to Harlequins
North Down travelled to Deramore Park on Saturday to play Harlequins in a Premier League game. Both teams had got off to similar starts in the league and with three draws in similar fixtures last season North Down were hopeful of securing a win but some poor defensive errors ensured Harlequins got maximum points with a 3-1 victory.
The first quarter saw end to end play with both teams creating good opportunities. Ross Linter made good ground on the right but his cross came off Gilmore’s feet and the danger was cleared. At the other end a stick tackle gave Quinns a short corner but the effort went wide. Jonny Linter was getting lots of space on the right and made another run into the circle but his cross was cut out by the keeper. Skipper Phil Wilson put the home defence under pressure with a well placed overhead and they were happy to concede a corner but the delivery was poor and Gilmore was unable to get a shot on target. Harlequins then won a corner for back sticks and switched the ball left giving the attacker time to get a shot on target however Darren Rodgers was wrong footed and the ball found the net to put the home team ahead. Play went to the other end and Gareth McKeown had a corner cleared off the line by a defender before, just before the break, Quinns had a corner cleared.
The second quarter followed a similar pattern with play switching from end to end. Wilson played a perfect pass to Andy Boyd but his cross was cleared by the keeper. Harlequins should have increased their lead when a cross evaded the North Down defenders and the winger had a simple tap in at the back post but he failed to make contact. Jonny Linter made a strong run but his cross was cut out and then Boyd crossed for Gilmore but the keeper made an important save. Quinns won a corner but the shot went wide and then, when presented with the ball following a poor clearance, shot over. Just on the whistle for half time a poor clearance by Jamie Orr allowed Quinns to increase their lead to 2-0.
The Comber visitors started the third quarter strongly. Firstly, Connor Tweedie cut out a clearance and was fouled at the expense of a corner but the shot was deflected wide for a long corner and then Gilmore picked up a long pass and made ground before passing to McKeown who shot over. Continuing the pressure Jonny Linter made a cross field run and had a strong shot which went narrowly wide before Gilmore then picked the ball up in the circle but his effort went over the bar. It was then Quinns turn to pile on the pressure when they had a shot go wide and then won a corner which entered the net to give them a 3-0 lead.
North Down lost their composure at the start of the final quarter and Harlequins dominated play. Rodgers in goals made some fine clearances to ensure his side didn’t go further behind and in the last 5 minutes North Down again got their game together and Jonny Linter played McKeown in but his deflection went wide. Andrew Welsh was finding space and he played a pass to Jordan Linter who crashed the ball into the net from the edge of the circle with Wilson on hand to make sure of Linter’s goal. Linter then in his defensive role cleared a corner off the line. Gilmore had the last chance of the game but his shot went over the bar.
Overall this was a disappointing result as poor defending presented Quinns with all of their goals coupled with an inability to hit the target when chances were presented to them in the circle.
Burch Autos Man of the Match was Ross Linter
