3rd October 2009

 

Kircubbin hosted high flying Shankill Utd seconds in a Junior Shield match last Saturday, in a tie that promised goals with both teams scoring freely in their opening league fixtures. The wind played a major part in the game with a very strong breeze blowing off the shore. The visiting captain won the toss and elected to play with the advantage of the wind in the first 45 minutes.

It was a case of backs against the wall in the opening period from Kircubbin, as Shankill through everything at them in an attempt to take a lead into the second half. But the Kircubbin team put on an excellent defensive performance in the first half, with every player doing their bit for the team. Eugene McGrattan was the busier of the two keepers in the opening period, but he marshaled the defense well and managed to keep a clean sheet for the first 45 minutes. Stephen Clarke obviously got the tactics right, with Ross McCann sitting very deep in front of the back four, and Brendan Masterson dropping into midfield from the front line. This left Turlough Bell up front on his own, and he still managed to hustle the Shankill defense. On Kircubbin's rare ventures forward, the final ball often let the team down, but the wind was playing havoc with Kircubbin's passing game making it very difficult to play any form of decent football. 0-0 at the break.

This was the typical "game of two halves", as Kircubbin then dominated proceedings right from the kick off in the second half, now playing with the wind at their backs. For the opening spell Shankill found it difficult to get into the Kircubbin half as the ball was permanently in the visitors area. The pressure finally paid off for Kircubbin when Turlough scored the opening goal of the game, with a scuffed shot which managed to loop over the keeper into the net. Kircubbin now seemed in complete ascendancy and a second goal soon followed when captain Philip McCarthy scored his first of the season, and things looked to be on track for a home win. But Shankill fought back, and showed way they are amongst the favourites to win their league. Indeed they managed to get back on level terms when Kircubbin's entire team decided to fall asleep for the last twenty minutes of the game. Two well worked goals from the visitors, but Kircubbin's manager was livid at the slack defending all over the pitch. 2-2 at the final whistle and extra time loomed.

In the opening period Kircubbin were again playing into the wind, and had to put up another stern defensive display. But a quick counter attack down the left wing exposed the Shankill defense allowing Adam Arthurs to score a header inside the box to give the home team an early lead in extra time. Kircubbin managed to hold firm in the first period of extra time, and then played out the second period of play with the advantage of the wind. Final score 3-2 aet. The next round of the Junior Shield is on 24th October when Kircubbin travel to Bloomfield playing field to play Bangor Rangers II.