REIGNING Canada Life Premier League champions St George’s put behind them a forgettable couple of weeks with a 0-1 victory at near neighbours Douglas High School Old Boys on Saturday.
The weekend’s match at Blackberry Lane was a cagey affair with both sides lacking their usual vibrancy in the attacking third. Indeed probably one of the game’s few moments of genuine quality ultimately settled the fixture in Geordies favour, Gary Quirk producing a stunning finish midway through the second half to seal the points from his former club.
Quirk, who only switched to Glencrutchery Road in the summer, carved open the fixture’s first real chance in the seventh minute when his smart turn and shot on the edge of the Old Boys area drew a good save out of former club-mate Sam Holliday.
From the resulting Chris Bass Jr corner from the right Johnny Myers saw his header cleared off the line by Old Boys full-back Dean France.
At the other end of the pitch, returning St George’s skipper Sean Quaye was also in the right place at the right time to head clear Chris Coxon’s goal-bound header as a good match looked in prospect.
However, the game soon tightened up and the goal-scoring chances were limited as defence came to the fore led by the side’s respective centre-backs Robbie Ward (DHSOB) and Johnny Myers (St George’s).
The fit-again Chris Bass Jr and young striking talent Rhys Thompson began to ramp up the pressure on the Old Boys’ goal but St George’s were lucky not to concede a penalty when Quaye seemed to push Craig Stewart in the back. With referee Chris Taggart not interested in the Old Boys appeals, the two sides turned around goal-less.
Brian Gartland’s side began the second period the brighter of the two and Robbie Ward’s free-kick from 20 yards was tipped over by Grant Dawson before Callum Stewart shot wide a good chance after breaking clear of the Geordies’ defence.
Stewart was made to rue his miss just moments later when St George’s went up the other end of the pitch and edged in front in spectacular fashion when Quirk half-volleyed in from the edge of the area.
Old Boys pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but found themselves susceptible to rapid Geordies’ counter-attack spearheaded by Calum Morrissey and Sam Caine.
Indeed only a deflection from DHSOB sub Liam Buckley stopped Morrissey from extending his side’s advantage as the top-flight fixture entered its final 10 minutes.
A late Old Boys’ rally failed to bear fruition and St George’s held on to secure what could turn out to be a pivotal three points.
TEAM CHECK
DHSOB: Sam Holliday, David Rees, Robbie Ward, Martin King, Dean France, David Quirk, Mike Hooper, Chris Clinton, Craig Stewart (c), Chris Coxon, Callum Stewart.
St George’s: Grant Dawson, Sam Caine, Sean Quaye (c), Johnny Myers, Julian Ringham, Gary Quirk, Frank Jones, James McStay, Rhys Thompson, Calum Morrissey, Chris Bass Jr.
Referee: Chris Taggart Man of the Match: Quirk (St George’s) Match rating: HHIII