The Star moved 8 points clear at the top of division 2A with an excellent win over second place side Newington Rangers. Again Mallusk was battered by a gale force wind but it never bothered the Ardoyne men as they kept the ball on the deck and took the game to their opponents. The first chance of the game fell to Mark Mooney but he seen his effort well saved by the apposing keeper. Joe McAlea was making his first team debut at left back and he fitted in brilliantly with his tough tackling and assured passing. Star broke the dead lock in the 17th minute Paul Brown broke down the left flank and found his strike partner Devenny to nod the ball home from 5 yards. With the strong wind behind them Newington never really troubled the Star as Brendan Mooney and Micky Keenan marshaled the defence excellently with Ciaran Burns commanding the right back area also. The remainder of the half was played in the Newington final third but the Star failed to convert any of the half chances they created.

H/T 1-0

With a strong wind behind them in the second half the Star dominated the whole of the half as the Newington boys couldn't handle the league leaders. As usual Paul Brown got on the scoring act when he rose highest from a Ciaran Reid cross to loop his header over the stranded keeper to double the Star's advantage. At this stage of the game Sean Brown and Anto Braniff where dominating the midfield battle as the set up wave after wave of attacks. With a mixture of bad finishing and heroic defending the scoreline somehow stayed the same until Mark Mooney finally put the game to bed when he scored the third header of the day in the 81st minute. Next week the star play Bessbrook United in the last 16 of the Junior Cup at Mallusk kick off 1:30pm.

Team: Thompson, Burns, B.Mooney, Keenan, McAlea, Reid, S.Brown, Braniff, M.Mooney, P.Brown, Devenny

Subs: O'Reilly, McKervey, McConnall