SECONDS COMFORTABLY BEAT RIVAL TITLE CHALLENGERS

League leaders and unbeaten Star travelled away to title challengers mossley, welcoming O'Halloran and Mckervey back into the squad. Star started very brightly with Cairns and O'Halloran going close, but the deadlock was broken just a few minutes later when good play from Murray and McNally let O'Halloran in behind the mossley defence to round the keeper and put the star one up. Star kept the mossley forwards at bay with hagans, Hawkins and Hamilton clearing the danger. Star then doubled their lead when Doran slipped in Cairns who riffled his shot by the stranded keeper. Star were working hard in midfield with Murphy (S) and Murray but it was a rare attack from MOssley that caught the star defence unaware and they slotted the ball by Thompson in the star goal. This brought more life into the star team with McCoey working well down the right side and slipped in Murray who went by two defenders and curled the ball into the net. McKervey Then replaced the injured doran and went straight into the thick of the action when he was one on one with the keeper only for a brilliant save to stop him opening his account for the season. Star continued to pressure their oppenents and a whipping free kick from captain Hagans caused confusion in the area and McNally glady scored his first of the day. HT 4-1
 
The second half started with star keeping the high tempo game up and causing their opponents all sorts of problems with O'Halloran's experience and McNallys pace up front Star then scored their fifth and McNallys second of the day. Star were in cruise control and had the leisure of making another sub when Murphy came on for Murray. Murphy's pace was used to good effect and he linked up well with McNally only to drill his shot off the post and wide. Murray (D) then replaced O'Halloran and his header from Cairns' corner went just over the bar. Hawkins and Hamilton continued to clear any incoming danger and when star cleared a rare mossley attack, McNally gathered the ball in his own half and went straight for the opponents goal only to be taken down inside the box for a penalty. He gathered himself and calmly slotted the ball into the net for his hat-trick. Star continued to work well and create more chances but unfortunatley they cudnt be converted. Mossley then counter attacked late on and socred to make the final score 6-2. Manager Scullion was very pleased with the performance and said that if his team play like that every week no one will stop them.

Star-man: James McNally