16th January 2010

 

Kircubbin travelled away to PSNI Olympic for their first competitive match in four weeks. Considering the home team have only lost one game at Newforge to date, this was promising to be a tough encounter for the Kircubbin lads. With several players unavailable the squad was whittled down to a bare minimum of fourteen for Saturday's game.

Kircubbin started the game brightly but didn't create many chances of note in the opening spell. The first twenty minutes or so was a dull affair with both teams unwilling to give much away. As the game progressed Kircubbin took control and managed to carve open the PSNI defence. Brendan Masterson played a great ball into the box for three Kircubbin players, only for the pass to elude everyone and trickle harmlessly wide. Mick O'Prey was next on target for Kircubbin as he raced through on goals, only to hit his shot straight at the approaching keeper. Ross McCann also saw a headed opportunity go narrowly wide of the mark from a set piece. Eugene McGrattan in goals was a spectator for most of the match, but he was called upon at the end of the first half when the home team had their only chance of the half from a free kick. The shot went high to the keepers left, but Eugene managed to palm the ball away at full stretch for a corner. In the dying minutes of the half Mick was crudely hacked down inside the box and leading scorer Turlough Bell duly converted the resulting penalty. 0-1 at the break.

Given the home team's excellent record, Stephen Clarke was keen increase the goal tally to put the game beyond reach, and the team duly obliged early in the second half. Within minutes of the restart Kircubbin's lead was doubled when Turlough scored his second of the game with a good run round the defence and a calm finish into the corner of the net. This was the start of the downfall from the PSNI team as Kircubbin were now totally dominant all over the pitch. Ten minutes later the lead was four nil as Turlough ran riot, scoring all four himself. With the match now effectively over as a contest, club captain Jonnie Clarke was introduced into the game following seven months out of action with knee ligament damage. Jamie Fowler also came into the team in place of Sean Clancy at right back. Kircubbin hardly noticed the changes in personnel as both players fitted perfectly into the team. Mick O'Prey managed to increase his personal tally of goals in his debut season with a close range goal on the hour mark. Matthew Clarke got the goal his performance deserved with an excellent weaving run and calm finish after rounding the keeper. Ciaran Taylor completed the rout with a twenty yard strike into the top corner of the net leaving the final score seven nil to a totally dominant Kircubbin team.

The three points lift Kircubbin back into second place in the league. This week the team are back to cup action with a home tie against Dundonald FC in the second round of the Clarence Cup.