Crumlin Star II 2 - 1 Malachians II

Crumlin Star took on malachians at Solitude on friday night.
The Ardoyne team started the better of the two team as the Mals found it hard to adjust to the 4g pitch. James Doyle and James Mc Nally were proving a handful for the experience Mals defence. On 15 mins Whelan found Doyle who crossed to Mc Nally only to see his shot go wide of the posts. After about 20mins the Mals had there first chance when Johnstons shot went narrowly wide. The Mals were coming into the game more and on 30mins Sharpe made a great run an shot from 20yards on to hitting the side netting. Conor Finnegan, Ciaran Gormley, Tony Reilly and Ciaran Cairns were well on top and keeping the Mals forwards away from the young Star keeper Largay. The young Star team were playing great football an Malachians had to work hard to stop the Ardoyne team from scoring. The midfield was a right battle ground with Osborne and Mc Connell winning important challenges in the middle of the park with Brown and Whelan on the wings and Stiofan Brown almost broke the deadlock just on the stroke of half time only to see his shot come of the crossbar.

 ht0-0

Crumlin Star were better to start the second half with flowing football and James Doyle and James Mc Nally both having chances only the inform Mals keeper kept the Star from scoring. Against the run of play the Mals took the lead on 60mins when Essers Johnston took full advantage of the Stars lapse in defence and drilled a superb shot from 20yards beating Ciaran Largay at the near post. The Star management made changes bringing of the tiring Whelan for Taylor and Cairns for Joe Todd. Todd and James Doyle almost got the Star back into the game beating the Mals defence with a great one two an crossed for James Mc Nally only to see him shoot wide from 5yards. Ciaran Braniff entered the fray and with his first touch he found Doyle who beat Kavangh with pace cross into the box an Brown tap the ball into the net only to be ruled offside. The Mals had a great chance to finish the game when they broke in numbers and Johnstons cross found Aaron Sharpe who missed the target from 5yards out. The Star team never give up an on 87 mins Osborne forced a corner and from Taylors corner Doyle and Finnegans challenge the Mals defender Micheal Devine headed into his own net. Lady luck was on the Stars side and the Ardoyne team pushed the Mals at every opportunity and on 93 mins. Burns fouled James Mc Nally on the edge of the box and Gareth Taylor unleased an unstoppable free kick passed the Mals keeper and sealed the win for the Ardoyne team

Final Score. Crumlin Star 2 - Mals 1

Star Team: Largay, Reilly, Cairns, C.Gormley, C.Finnegan, Osborne,  Mc Connell's, Brown, Whelan, Doyle, Mc Nally, Todd, Taylor, Braniff

MOM: Madden, Malachians keeper  with some outstanding saves
Crumlin Star face Newington at Mallusk on Sat in the Quarter Final of Walter Moore Cup. Kick off 1.30pm all supports welcome.