{"id":8371,"date":"2018-02-04T22:56:54","date_gmt":"2018-02-04T22:56:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/northdownhc.co.uk\/?p=8371"},"modified":"2018-02-13T14:32:49","modified_gmt":"2018-02-13T14:32:49","slug":"harlequins-secure-narrow-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northdownhc.com\/index.php\/2018\/02\/04\/harlequins-secure-narrow-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Harlequins secure narrow victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

North Down travelled to Deramore Park on Saturday with both teams requiring victory to secure a top seven spot before the Premier League splits. The North Down squad was somewhat depleted with the withdrawal of Nichols and when Moore reported with an injury sustained in an earlier game the squad was down to 14.<\/p>\n

After five minutes Andrew McKibbin sustained an injury which meant he could\u00a0take no further part and North Down were in trouble.\u00a0 North Down took the lead after 10 minutes when Phil Wilson finished off a fine move.\u00a0 Harlequins pushed\u00a0for the equaliser and were rewarded after 17 minutes following a short corner.\u00a0 Coates made a save from the initial shot but Harlequins reacted quickest and slotted home the rebound.\u00a0 McKeown had a short corner brilliantly cleared off the line by a defender.\u00a0 Coates had to be at his best to keep out the Harlequins attack. With a minute of the half remaining Harlequins won a corner.\u00a0 When the initial shot was\u00a0cleared a Harlequins’ player swung wildly at the clearance but failed to make contact.\u00a0 The ball was played back into the circle and slotted past Coates.<\/p>\n

The second half saw North Down on the ascendency but Harlequins were dangerous on the break. North Down won a penalty after 10 minutes when a goal bound shot hit a defender on the line but McKeown\u2019s effort was saved by Kelly.\u00a0 North Down won several corners but these brought no reward although one was cleared off the line.\u00a0 A slip by Andy Boyd allowed Harlequins in for a clear run on goal and Coates was given no chance.\u00a0 North Down continued to press and McKeown reduced the arrears with minutes remaining.\u00a0 Time ran out and North Down were left ruing the\u00a0missed chances.<\/p>\n

PMB Man of the Match: Gareth McKeown<\/p>\n