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

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