SECONDS STAY TOP AFTER HARD EARNED POINT AWAY AT SIROCCO!

League leaders Star travelled to east belfast to face in-form Sirocco Works, with a strengenthed team welcoming back Hawkins Mc Nally and Hagans into the squad. Star needed to bounce back from their cup defeat a week previous and they started the brighter side with Mc Nally and Osbourne hustling the home defence at every chance. The star midfield of Hagans, Doran, Currie and Murray were battling for every ball and providing good cover for the backline of Hawkins Hamilton McCoey and Cairns, who were working very well to keep Sirocco at bay. Star were testing the sirocco defence all afternoon but were restricted to long range chances from Osbourne and McNally. Star then upped their game and were unlucky when Cairns and Currie moved quickly down the left side and provided a good ball for Hagans whos shot just drifted wide of the goal. Murphy (S) then replaced the injured Currie and he provided the extra muscle in the midfield. Sirocco then tested star keeper Thompson for the first time just before the break and to the star's rescue he pulled off a magnifigant save to keep the score tied at 0-0.
 
After the break with the wind at their back, Sirocco then used the long ball tactics to try and break the star defence but to no avail as Hawkins and Cairns were winning every header, with Hamilton and McCoey making sure there was no way through. Doran and Murphy were releasing pacy wingers Hagans and Murray at every chance but again star could find no break through. The other Murphy was then introduced for Osbourne, who was on the end of a few heavy tackles and Murphys pace started to trouble the sirocco backline with McNallys work rate. Good work down the left sde from Hagans resulted in Murphys long range effort just drifting wide from the out stretched hand of the keeper. Mallon was then introduced for Hamilton, and his experience was invaluable as star kept sirocco at bay. After an awful decision from the referee star keeper Thomspon was again at Stars rescue by saving another long range effort. The game ended 0-0 and manager Scullion was pleased with a point and said his side character and determination will stand them in good sted for the rest of the season as they continue their conquest for promotion.

 Starman : Malachy Thompson