Dromore Amateurs 0-5 Crumlin Star

It was top against bottom on Saturday as the Star played bottom side Dromore Amateurs and to be honest the gulf in class was apparent from the first whistle. Right from the off the Star knocked the ball about with confidence as the home side struggled to even get a touch of the ball. Anto Braniff came closest to breaking the dead lock in the fifth minute when he crashed his header against the post from a Sean Brown corner and the same player hit the bar from another header minutes later, this time from a Hamilton cross. The home side didn't learn from their mistakes as Braniff eventually opened the scoring with a fine header that flew into the top corner after excellent work on the left from Joe McAlea. Paul Brown & Joe Gormley where giving the home side's defense a torrid time all day and it was Gormley who got the Star's second goal midway through the half after a great cross from Dam Whelan. Any attack that the home side could muster was easily cut out by the Star's defense with Burns having an excellent game as usual. Ciaran Reid & Paul Brown both had fine efforts well saved by the home sides keeper as the half came to an end to surprisingly keep the score at 2-0.
H/T 2-0
After some refreshments at half time the Star started as they finished the first half, well on top & keeping the ball for long periods of time with some excellent passing & moving. Sean Brown got on the scoring act again when he curled an excellent free kick home from the edge of the penalty area to make it 3-0 to the Ardoyne side.The Dromore players seemed to give up after this as their heads dropped and they failed to trouble the Star in any way for the rest of the game.Gareth O'Neill made his first appearance for the firsts after replacing the excellent Joe McAlea after the hour mark. Braniff got his second goal of the day with what could be a contender for goal of the season, after about 20-30 passes as the Star played some more keep ball, the ball came to Braniff in the middle of the park, he picked out Paul Brown at the edge of the Dromore box who layed the ball into Braniff's path and the inform midfielder lashed the ball into the bottom corner from 30 yards out. Paul Brown broke his goal drought late on in the game with a well deserved goal after a tireless display up front as he poked the ball home from a Mooney cross.
Next week the Star are away to Woodvale in the Cochrane & Corry cup, Kick Off 1:30pm.

Team: Thompson, Hamilton, McAlea, Nellis, Burns, Whelan, S.Brown, Reid, Braniff, P.Brown, Gormley
Subs: Mooney, O'Reilly, O'Neill

Starman P.Brown

Pictured below is Ciaran Burns with goalscorers Anto Braniff & Paul Brown.

CRUMLIN STAR II 3 - 0 ISLANDMAGEE II

Star II continued there good run with a hard fought victory against old rivals Islandmagee IIs at Mallusk. 2 goals from veteran striker Toner and young Stiofan Brown first goal for the club secured victory aand ensured that Star stayed top of the pile. The game started with both sides not really getting a foothold on the game and very little football being played. The first chance of the game fell to Cairns who should have finished from a Toner cross but the keeper gathered easily. Islandmagee were quick on the counter and had a few chances of their own but fluffed their lines. Veteran Toner was proving to be a handful for the Islandmagee defence and he opened the scoring when he poked home from close range at the third attempt to put Star 1 up. Islandmagee had a great chance to equalise but Mc Neill in nets done superb to clear the ball when there striker was through one on one. Doyle's pace upfront was a great outlet for Star and he had a shot easily saved. Mc Connell also had a half chance but he put his effort over the bar. Star's defence of Hawkins, Mallon, Mc Coey and O' Neill were solid and Star went into the break 1-0 to the good. H/T1-0

 The injured Doyle was replaced by the returning Collins at half time and Star soon went 2-0 up when Toner got his second of the day when he beat the offside trap and he shot through the keeper's legs to score. Star's Gormley and in particular Mc Connell were showing good passing and battling with Cairns and Brown supporting the play well from the wings. Star had more chances with Cairns being denied by the keeper when through on goal and Brown missing an easy chance from 8 yards. Star went 3 goals up when Brown finished well into the roof of the net from a Mc Coey cross. (D) Murray and Quail were introduced for Mc Coey and O' Neill with Murray having a goal ruled out for offside almost immediately. Islandmagee were given a lifeline however their player missed from the spot and Star run out worthy winners and collected the 3 points. F/T 3-0

Starman: Toner 

Towser 2 goals on Saturday