CRUMLIN STAR II 5 - 5 SHORTS II

Star II shared 10 goals with Shorts II at Mallusk on Saturday in a game that ,despite with the high scoring, lacked quality. Star welcomed back Hagans, Mc Nally and Cairns into the side with Star reverting to an attacking 3-4-3 formation for the game. This tactical decision by Scully seemed to pay off straight away with Star starting the match in good fashion with Scully and Mc Nally providing the early danger to the Shorts backline. In the 10th minute Star took the lead when Scully reacted fastest in the box when his looping header found the net. However Star switched off after this and let Shorts II back into the game and this fall in work rate and concentration would see Shorts scored 3 quick fire goals. Their first goal, in the 30 minute, was a sweetly stuck shot from 25 yards that found the top corner and 2 minutes later they were infront when a Shorts forward found the net from close range  and just before half time another long range shot found the net via a post to hand Shorts a 2 goal advantage going into the break. H/T 1-3

After some home truths were delivered at Half time from Scully and Hagans, Star started the second half in a determined mood with Mc Nally volleying over the bar and Toner and Scully testing the keeper. A quick counter attack by Shorts led to them being awarded a penalty and their Striker blasted his spot kick inot the roof of the net to hand Shorts a 4-1 lead. Currie was then replaced by Doyle whos pace instantly caused Shorts problems on the left. Star kept plugging away and Scully latched on to a Mc Nally through ball and he finished clinically into the far corner to reduce the deficit. Star were then denied a stone wall penalty after Cairns had been fouled and it got worse as moments later Shorts scored again. (D) Murray and Mc Coey replaced (S) Murray and Mc Mullan, and with 10 minutes left Hagans started the comeback when he expertly curled a free kick into the top corner and a minute later Cairns found the net sliding the ball under the keeper. With seconds left, Teer crossed for Toner who nodded past the keeper to earn Star a draw. F/T 5-5  

Towser: Scored a rare header to earn the draw

Scully: Back up front and scored 2 goals