13th February 2010

 

Kircubbin followed up their disappointing Clarence Cup exit with a 5-2 thumping of Suffolk FC, one of the favourites for the Division 2B league title this year. Suffolk had already inflicted a 5-1 defeat of Kircubbin earlier in the season in the reverse fixture, and with Turlough Bell and Philip McCarthy both missing through suspension, the home team knew they were in for a tough encounter.

Kircubbin were forced to shuffle their team in light of the absentees, with club captain Jonnie Clarke making his first start of the season and Jamie Fowler coming into the back line. Kircubbin started brightly and created a few half chances in the opening five minutes. It only took eight minutes for Matthew Clarke to open the scoring for Kircubbin, which gave the team a real boost for the match. Within fifteen minutes the lead was doubled. Jonnie broke the offside trap on the left wing and fired a pin point cross to Matthew, who scored his second of the day. Suffolk did have a few chances to get back into the game, but a combination of poor finishing and good goal keeping from Eugene McGrattan kept Kircubbin's two goal cushion. Before half time Kircubbin increased their lead, when Jonnie rounded a defender on the edge of the box and hammered his shot low into the corner of the net past the diving keeper. 3-0 at the break.

Ross McCann (injury) made way for Fintan Bell at half time, and it took Kircubbin a few minutes to adjust to the change in formation. But by this time Suffolk had pulled a goal back as they came out fighting at the start of the second half. Kircubbin settled down again after the goal and started to re-assert their dominance, and it didn't take long before they restored their three goal cushion. A scramble inside the box was initially saved by the keeper, but Adam Arthurs was first to react to the breaking ball and poke home Kircubbin's fourth of the day. With the game now beyond Suffolk, their frustrations seemed to boil over as they had two players sent off. Jonnie Clarke scored his second of the day with a header, and Suffolk got a late consolation goal to leave the final score 5-2. But Kircubbin could and should have scored several more, with Jonnie and Cahal McGrattan both hitting the post in the dying minutes. Nevertheless the three points maintains Kircubbin's second place in the league. This week the team travel to Bangor YM, transport leaves at 12.30.