Balinamallard Utd Res 0-2 Crumlin Star

The Star ended their Fermanagh jinx when they beat a very good Balinamallard outfit on Saturday. The Star had crashed out of the Junior cup on three separate occasions to a Fermanagh & Western league side in the past four seasons so the pressure was on even before a ball had been kicked. With the sun shinning brightly and the pitch in immaculate condition all theingredients was there for an entertaining game of football. The home side started the brighter as they put the Star under some early pressure but theback line of Hamilton, Keenan, Burns & McAlea where all on top of their game as they snuffed out any danger that the home side could muster. Midway through the half the Star started to move it up a few gears as Braniff & Reid began to dominate the central midfield with Mooney and Sean Brown like wise on the wings. The first real attempt on goal came from captain Sean Brown when he tested the home side's keeper from just outside the box but their number one was more than equal to it. Soon after it was Gormley's turn to test the big keeper from long range but again found the Balinmallard keeper in fine form. Soon enough the Star's relentless pressure was finally rewarded when Paul Brown's shot was only half cleared to his brother Sean who squared the ball to Joe Gormley who then put the Star 1-0 up with an easy tap in at the back post. The Star finish the half well on top as they where first to every ball and won every 50/50 challenges as they where determined not to let themselves down in Fermanagh again.
H/T 0-1
The second period began with the Ardonians well on top again as Reid and Braniff where controlling the game from the middle of the park and Gormley and Brown giving the home side's defence a torrid time. Gormley went close again in the 50th minute but was denied again by the Balinmallard keeper. As the game wore on the home side pushed for an equaliser but again found the Star's defence in excellent form as they where restricted to long range efforts. With the home side pushing for that elusive equaliser they where leaving themselves exposed at the back and Brown, Gormley and Mooney all had chances to get that killer second goal but where denied yet again. In the 80th minute Sean Brown swung an excellent corner into the box where it was met by the oncoming Braniff who powered his header home to give the Star a two goal cushion. This was the final nail in the home side's coffin as they offered very little after this so it was the Star who marched on into the 3rd round of the Junior cup.
Next week the Star are at home to Belfast & District side St Pauls in the Junior Shield, kick off 1:30pm.

Team: Thompson, Hamilton, McAlea, Keenan, Burns, S.Brown, Reid, Braniff, Mooney, Gormley, P.Brown
Subs: McConnall, Nellis, Whelan, McNally

Anto Braniff scored his 3rd goal of the season and the Stars 2nd on Saturday