10th September 2011

Playing in division 2A of the Northern Amateur Football League there are no easy games, and Kircubbin's second league encounter of the season was away to reigning Junior Shield Champions Kelvin OB. The weather played a major factor in the game on Saturday with a strong wind blowing down the pitch for the entire game. However playing with the wind was proving extremely difficult as both teams found it nearly impossible to play passing football.

Kelvin opted to play against the wind the first half, and this decision paid dividends as the Junior Shield holders stormed into a 3-0 lead in the opening half hour of the game. Kircubbin made a slow start to the game and could have been even further behind as the team never seemed to gel, and found the playing conditions extremely difficult. Just before half time however Kircubbin were given a life-line when the referee awarded a blatant penalty which Kevin Coyle duly dispatched to give the visitors a lift going into the second half. 3-1 at the break.

Kircubbin made a couple of changes in personnel at the beginning of the second half, with Shaun Clancy and Aaron Clarke coming into the team. These changes coupled with a change in team formation were the catalyst that sparked a remarkable comeback. Two goals early in the half from David Arthurs and Chris O'Prey brought the teams back on to level pegging. By now Kircubbin were totally dominant and were attacking at will, with an excellent display of passing football. With fifteen minutes left on the clock Kircubbin took the lead with yet another goal from the inform David Arthurs. Moments later Kircubbin should have secured all three points, when Kevin Coyle found Chris O'Prey free inside the box with a pinpoint cross, but the ball ballooned over the gaping net when it seemed nearly impossible to miss. Then with time running out Kircubbin gifted Kelvin an equaliser following some indecision at the back. Final score 4-4.

This week things don't get any easier with another away fixture. This time the lads travel to Belfast to play Woodvale FC, current Junior Cup holders. Team to meet at noon.