Crumlin Star 5-2 18th Newtonabby Old Boys

Crumlin Star emerged victorious in the top of the table clash with 18th Newtonabby Old Boys at Mallusk on Saturday. With the Star scoring seven goals last week and Newtonabby scoring ten both side's confidence where sky high as both sides went all out for the win and 3 valuable points in the title race. Paul Brown broke the dead lock just after the quarter hour mark when he flicked a Ciaran Reid corner into the back of the net. Newtonabby responded well and got a deserved equaliser when they broke the Star's offside trap and their front man gave Thompson in goal no chance with his low drive.Star regained the lead when Reid was upended in the box for a dubious penalty and the tigerish midfielder picked himself up to blast the ball past the 18th keeper to make the scoreline 2-1 to the home side.Again Newtonabby came back at the Star and where unlucky not to equalise when they rattled the Star's woodwork on two occasions but the Star held on to go into the break with their noses just in front.

H/T 2-1

The second half started with Newtonabbey on top but for all their possession and pressure the never really created any goal scoring chances. But you couldn't say the same for the Star's front men as Brown and Mooney always looked dangerous and looked as if they'd score at any time. On the hour mark Paul Brown broke clear only to be dragged to the floor by the Newtonabby captain who then got his marching orders as to give the Star a one man advantage. It was one way traffic after this as the Star made their numerical advantage count and Paul Brown got his second of the day when he raced through again and slipped the ball home to make it 3-1. At this stage of the game the Star where in complete control as they toyed with their rivals and soon enough it was 4-1 when Reid scored from the spot again when Mooney was brought down.Paul Brown completed yet another hat-trick when he headed home from a Braniff cross to bring his goal tally to 29 to keep his record of scoring in every game he's played in the season. Ciaran Reid could've made it 6-1 when he missed a third penalty for the star but the visitors grabbed a consolation goal as their striker was quickest to the rebound when Thompson made a fantastic save.This was the Star's 14th straight victory to end the year on a real high for the Ardoyne men. Special praise must go to debutant Ciaran Burns who put in a solid performance in the middle of the park and looks to be a very good signing for manager Hawkins.

Team: Thompson, McCoey, O'Reilly, Keenan, Cairns, Reid, Burns, Braniff, McConnall, P.Brown, Mooney.                                                       Subs: Hamilton, McNally, N.Hawkins