10th October 2009

 

On Saturday Kircubbin travelled to Belfast to play a highly rated Suffolk FC team on their home turf. With Junior Shield matches also on the same day, no official referee was in attendance. As a Suffolk representative had previously qualified as a club referee he was eligible to take charge of the game.

The home team dominated the opening period of play on the small pitch, pushing Kircubbin back into the final third of the pitch. The passing play of the midfield was excellent and the link up play from the strikers was giving the Kircubbin team all sorts of trouble. It didn't take long for Suffolk to take the lead in the game, with a well worked goal from the right wing. Minutes later the lead was doubled with an excellent free kick from twenty five yards, but Kircubbin's keeper felt he could have done better to keep the ball out. Kircubbin were busy contesting a few poor refereeing decisions when the third goal was scored and the game looked effectively over. But Kircubbin knew that they would get chances in the game. With ten minutes to go in the first half, Brendan Masterson reduced the deficit for Kircubbin with an excellent finish from just inside the box. In the dying minutes Kircubbin could have been level when Fintan Bell raced through on goal, but his weak shot was straight at the keeper. Then Matthew Clarke missed a free header from inside the box with only the keeper to beat. 3-1 at the break.

Kircubbin came out in the second half much more composed and managed to play some decent football. But the standard of refereeing was extremely disappointing as Kircubbin continuously questioned some dubious decisions. Suffolk regained their three goal cushion which knocked the stuffing out of Kircubbin. A fifth goal followed to complete the scoring, and end a poor display with the final score 5-1.

Next week the lads travel to Bangor to play Castle Utd, and will hope to get back to winning ways.