Crumlin Star 1-0 Ballinmallard United Border Cup winners Crumlin Star pulled off a shock victory over Belfast Telegraph Championship One league leaders Ballinamallard United at Solitude on Saturday. The North Belfast side were good value for their win, despite the margin between the sides being a solitary and fortuitous own goal on 64 minutes, when Leon Carters clearance ricocheted off Gareth Liggett and into the net. The Mallards had a nervy start to the game with Fergal Murphy called into action twice in the opening minutes and they struggled to settle on the all weather surface, as PJ O;Neill almost gave the Star the perfect start. On 28 minutes centre back Leon Carters seen his header cleared off the line whilst Steve Feeney's follow up shot rattled the crossbar, but it was the Division 1B Amateur League side who should have taken the lead on 42 minutes when Joseph Mc'Neill glanced a free header wide of the post from six yards out. Shortly after the break Carters was again denied, this time by goalkeeper Malachy Thompson who produced a great point blank save from a close range header. Jason McCartney skimmed the post with a powerful shot before Star got a bit of good fortune to take the lead. An innocuous cross from Barry McKervey on the left was cleared by Carters only for it to hit Liggett and fly past Murphy into the net. It was no more than the Ardoyne side deserved however as they were impressive in possession and worked hard all afternoon, much to the frustration of the Fermanagh side. Ballinamallard were awarded numerous free kicks throughout the game on the edge of the penalty area, but neither Davy Kee or Jason McCartney managed to adequately test Thompson. Star were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages when McNeill received his marching orders for two innocuous tackles before James McKenna seen his header rebound off the crossbar in added time to compound a miserable afternoon for Ballinamallard. The Star just keep going from strength to strength as this was probably the biggest win in the clubs history beating the Championship One leaders. The Crumlin Star players and committee would like to thank Tony McCoey from OJ's shop on the Oldpark Road for generously sponsoring the teams breakfast before the Border Cup final Barry McKervey get congratulated for his part in the Star's goal on Saturday  |
