Albion Star 1-3 Crumlin Star

A lack luster display from the Star on Saturday seen them scrape past West Belfast outfit Albion Star at a sun scorched Mallusk. Again Micky Keenan spared the Star's blushes nodding home a 93rd minute winner after it looked like Albion had snatched a draw right at the death with a cracking free kick in the final minute. Its the second time in successive seasons that Big Micky has broke Albion's hearts after a late double last season gave the Star a much needed 3pts in the title run in. The game began with both sides giving nothing away with a lot of fierce tackles being thrown about. Prolific scorer Paul Brown opened the scoring after 20 minutes when Ciaran Reid threaded a wonderful through ball to send him through one on one with the keeper as he slipped it between his legs to put the Star 1-0 up. Young James Doyle was making a rare start for the firsts as Mark Mooney was out injured and didn't disappoint as he worked tirelessly giving the Albion defence a toroid time. The half ran out with both keepers not having much to do as both teams lacked the cutting edge in front of goal.
H/T 0-1
T o be fair Albion where the better side in the second half as battled for every ball and didn't let the Star get into their rhythm but the Star's back four of O'Reilly, Keenan, Hamilton and McAlea stood firm and kept Albion chances to a minimum. As the game was drawing to a close Albion pushed for an equaliser but found Thompson in goal in outstanding form as he made three world class saves. In the final minute the home side won a free kick 25 yards from goal and the big striker curled it in brilliantly of the underside of the bar giving Thompson no chance as the home support went wild as they thought they won a point. The Star then centred the ball and won a free kick out wide as whelan was brought down not for the first time in the game, the silky winger dusted himself down and swung in a Beckham like cross into the danger area as Micky Keenan rose highest at the back post to nod home to put the Star back into the lead. The Star then rubbed salt into the home side's wounds when Paul Brown broke free one minute later to round the keeper and slot the ball into the empty net to make it 3-1 to the Star.
Next week the Star are at home to Albion up in Mallusk in the return league fixture and im sure manager Hawkins wont have to say much in his team talk as his players will be busting to put that performance behind them and show what they really can do.

Team: Thompson, O'Reilly, McAlea, Hamilton , Keenan, Reid, Braniff, Whelan, McConnall, P.Brown, Doyle
Subs: Cairns, Clarke, Brown

Big Micky broke Albions hearts for the second season running