Crumlin Star 2-1 Larne Tech

On Saturday the Star entertained 1A side Larne Tech at Mallusk in the Clarence cup. Although Larne Tech where two divisions higher than the Star it was the home side that looked like the better side in the opening exchanges. The Star's midfield of Braniff, Reid, Burns and McConnall where bossing the game with Paul Brown and Mark Mooney causing havoc up front every time the Star attacked. But with their first attack Larne took the lead when their striker forced the ball home after a fine cut back from his strike partner. The Star then upped their game and started to create chances at will. Sass McConnall forced the away keeper into a fine double save in the space of one minute, Mark Mooney pulled a shot wide after a great through ball by Braniff but it was red hot Striker Paul Brown who levelled things up when he played a neat one-two with Mooney and coolly passed the ball home beyond the Larne keeper. The Star continued to dominate the rest of the half but couldn't find the break through as the score remained 1-1 at half time.

H/T 1-1

 The second half started as the first finished as the Star went in search for the winner but again they found the Larne keeper in top form with a string of fine saves. Ciaran Reid missed a glaring chance when put through by Braniff and Paul Brown seen an effort go wide when the keepers clearance fell nicely for him. With time running out and extra time looming the Star finally got their winner when Ciaran Reid cut in from a short corner and the little midfielder curled the ball into the top corner. Devenny and Mooney both had chances to kill the game of late on but it didn't matter as the Star progressed into the next round of the cup.

Next week the Star play St Lukes in the 4th round of the Junior cup at Mallusk, Kick Off 1:30pm.

Team: Thompson, McCoey, O'Reilly, Keenan, Cairns, McConnall, Reid, Braniff, Burns, P.Brown, Mooney

Subs: McKervey, Devenny, Nellis

Ciaran Reid scored another winner on Saturday