CRUMLIN STAR 4-1 COMBER REC The Star sent shock waves through the Amateur league when they defeated Premier league leaders Comber Rec 4-1 at Mallusk on Saturday. Without key players Ciaran Reid, Brendan Mooney, Timmy Whelan & Sean Brown the Star still produced a magnificent display of brave defending and stunning football to send the top team in the Amateur league out of the cup. In the opening stages of the game it was tit for tat as both sides created good goal scoring chances with Paul Brown striking the post and a Comber forward blazing over from 5 yards out. Comber did break the deadlock in the 23rd minute when they hit the Star with a quick counter attack and their big forward drilling the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards. But a few minutes later the Star where level when Devenny found McKervey at the edge of the area and the nimble winger fired a stunning strike into the top corner. This gave the Star real belief that they could cause a major upset as the whole team began to fight for every ball. Devenny in particular was having a great game up front as he won every header and gave the Comber defence a torrid time all day. H/T 1-1 The second half was all about the Star's performance, as the desire from every player to win 50-50's and their work rate for one another was faultless. Star took the lead on the hour when Braniff broke from midfield and played McKervey through who's pinpoint cross was met by the oncoming Paul Brown and the little striker made no mistake with the finish heading the ball into the roof of the net to send the Star supporters wild. Comber tried to up their game but the Star's defence of Nellis, Keenan, O'Reilly and McAuley where outstanding as they defended like lions blocking shots with any part of their bodies and when Comber did hit the target O'Dwyre in goal was in fine form with a couple of world class saves. From a corner in the 76th minute Star made it 3-1 when Devenny rose highest in the box and nodded the ball home to give the home side a two goal advantage. Clarke replaced McConnall soon after to freshen the Star attack and in the last minute Braniff found McKervey with a lovely through ball for the tricky winger to round a defender and slot the ball past the defenceless keeper to seal a historic win for the junior side. Next week the Star play Dundonald at home in the 3rd round of the clarence cup ko 2:OOpm TEAM: O'Dwyre (8) Nellis (8) O'Reilly (8) Keenan (8) McAuley (8) McConnall (8) Doran (8) Braniff (8) McKervey (9) Brown (8) Devenny (9) SUBS: Clarke (6) |
