East Belfast II 3 - 5 Crumlin Star II

Star IIs got back to winning ways with a scrappy win against East Belfast II at Inverary Avenue on Saturday. Manager Scully was able this week to field a strong line up with veteran Toner making his comeback after a few years absence. The seconds make a solid start to the match and took the lead when an (S) Murray free kick found Toner and his pin point cross was headed home by Gormley. However instead of increasing their lead Star switched off and let East Belfast sneak an equaliser and a few minutes later East Belfast took the lead when their striker sneaked in behind the defence and finished well past O' Dwyer. This seemed to wake up Star up and they got an equaliser just before half time when a superb Mc Mullan through ball was met by the returning Currie who squared to Scully who finished well into the bottom corner. H/T 2-2

After a few stern words from Scully at half time Star took the lead when Whelan got on the end of a long ball and finished clinically into the top corner. Whelan then doubled Star's advantage when he beat 2 defenders and the goalkeeper and then chipped the ball over the covering defender to double his tally for the day. Whelan got his hat trick from the penalty spot after Scully was brought down in the box just before he was about to shoot. Star had further chances to increase their lead with Gormley, Scully and Whelan having efforts saved by the keeper. Scully made a few changes to freshen his team up to see out the game however East got a third goal at the death. F/T 3-5 to Star Scully was happy with the 3 points but added his team needed to perform better for tougher challenges ahead in the coming weeks.

Starman:  Jim Hagans

Team:  O'Dwyer, (S) Murray, Mallon, Hawkins, Hagans, Mc Mullan, Gormley, Scully, Currie, Whelan, Toner

Subs:  Osborne, (D) Murray, Gouldie 

Scully: Got the equaliser against East Belfast II

Towser: Made his comeback on Saturday