6th December 2008

 

Kircubbin travelled to Belfast's Shore Road last Saturday to play Rooftop FC on a bitterly cold afternoon. Following a 1pm pitch inspection by the referee the match went ahead, even though the conditions were still quite frosty underfoot.

With both teams languishing in the bottom third of the table a quick start was imperative to take control of the game. Matthew Torney gave Kircubbin their dream start with a deft lob over the keeper from twelve yards early in the first half. From then Kircubbin took the game to Rooftop, and dominated for the opening half hour of the match. But for all their possession, Kircubbin couldn't quite find their way through a resolute Rooftop defence. On the half hour mark, the game changed in favour of the home team when a missed clearance from Cahal McGrattan allowed the Rooftop player to blast the ball into the net from close range. The teams looked to be level at the break, but just before the half time whistle another misplaced pass by Kircubbin gifted Rooftop a second goal. 2-1 at half time.

The second period started like the first with Kircubbin dominating all over the pitch, but without the decisive cutting edge in the final third of the pitch. Strikers Matthew Torney and Brendan Masterson were forced to drop into midfield in an attempt to get involved in the game. When the ball went forward the threat was usually dealt with by a tall and powerful pair of central defenders. A tactical switch from Stephen Clarke, moved Fergal Bell into the centre midfield for the final fifteen minutes of the game. This move paid dividends in the dying minutes of the match when a through ball from Fergal somehow managed to trickle over the line past a dispairing keeper. Final result a 2-2 draw and probably as much as either team deserved. Although a single point will not do much for the team's league standings.

This week the team are at home to Queens II in the league. Team to meet at 1pm sharp.