CRUMLIN STAR II 7 - 2 BARN UTD II

Star II got their first win of the season and first ever win in 3A with an emphatic 7-2 win at Solitude against Barn Utd II. The first ten minutes of the game was a cagey affair as both teams got to grips with the 4G pitch. Star adjusted the quicker and took the lead when Mc Connall found Doyle with a precise pass and the young striker cooly slotted past the keeper. It was 2-0 soon after when O'Reilly scored a clever backheel to put Star in full control of the game. The goals kept coming for Star and Ciaran Braniff found Doyle in the box and he blasted past the keeper for his second and Star's third goal of the day. Braniff made it four when he skillfully rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the net. Mc Connall made it five when he beat 2 defenders and curled the ball round the keeper from 20 yards and just before half time O' Neill made it six when his clever placed shot went under the keepers body to put Star out of sight by half time.

The second half started sluggishly for Star and Barn pulled one back. Manager Toner made 3 subs with Mc Nally, Fennell and Mc Clean replaced Whelan, Reilly and Finegan who all had impressive games for the Star to that point. Barn pulled another goal back after Mc Clean had conceded a penalty. However Star got back on the scoresheet when Mc Nally won a penalty and Doyle completed his hat trick when he tucked the penalty straight down the middle. Jim McMullan was having an outstanding game at centre half and Mc Nally and Braniff could have scored however they both missed glaring chances from 6 yards out. Manager Toner was delighted with the win but also said the second half performance could have been better.

 Starman: 

James Doyle got back to scoring ways with a hat trick

                                Groomsport 1-5 Crumlin Star

The Star put in a top class performance away to an undefeated Groomsport side on Saturday. The Star even found themselves behind after 10 minutes after McAlea played their centre forward on side for the little striker to race through to put the home side 1-0 up. The Ardoyne men never panicked though as within a few minutes from the restart Joe Gormley had brought them level when the ball generously fell to him in the box and the prolific scorer made no mistake with his finish. It was to be a half the young striker would never forget as he would hit the Groomsport net another three times in the next 20 minutes. His second goal was a carbon copy of the first as the young striker was in the right space at the right time, his third goal came when Jim Campbell flicked on a Thompson goal kick for Gormley to race through to lob the ball over the stranded keeper. His fourth goal of the half was a simple long clearance from Thompson which the Groomsport defence failed to defend which enabled Gormley to run through and blast the ball past the home side's number one.
H/T 1-4
Although the story of the first half was about Gormley goals, all of the Star's team where outstanding from the keeper right up the the front pairing of Gormley & Sean Brown and the second half was no different as the Star passed the ball round with ease at times. The defense where coping with the Groomsport attack easily as Burns & Berne formed a good relationship in the middle with McDowell and McAlea having fine games as wing backs. The midfield of Reid, Braniff, Campbell & Mooney would be a match for any Amateur league side as they dominated the game with some excellent passing and fierce tackling. Reid in particular was a different class as he made some outstanding tackles throughout the game. Sean Brown made it 5-1 from the spot on the hour mark after a hand ball against a Groomsport defender. Nellis, O'Reilly & Brown all came on the see out the game as the Star solidified their place at the top of 1C.
Next week the Star are at home to second place Kilroot Rec at Solitude, the games will take place on Friday night with a 7:30pm kick off, again all supporters welcome.

Joe Gormley netted 4 on Saturday & 21 for the season already