19th September 2009

 

Kircubbin hosted PSNI Olympic last weekend, and with two strong performances to start the league campaign, the team were full of confidence. However, Kircubbin found themselves up against tougher opposition this time around, and a stubborn defense gave away very little for the Kircubbin attack. It seemed to be a day for good defensive work as the back four of Kircubbin restricted the PSNI team to mainly long range efforts and set-pieces.

The PSNI team captain won the toss and elected to play into the slight breeze that was blowing off the shore. The visitors played some neat football between the back four and the midfield, but were somewhat wasteful with the final ball through to the strikers. Kircubbin on the other hand didn't live up to the expectations of the opening weeks of the season with a lack-luster performance in the opening period of play. Most of Kircubbin's danger was coming from wide areas where Fintan Bell and Brendan Masterson were both finding space on the wings. Indeed the best period of play came from the left wing when Fintan found himself in loads of space and was able to run at the PSNI defense. A quick break through the middle and he was through on goal with only the keeper to beat. Fintan calmly waited for the keeper to make his move before blasting the ball into the back of the net to give Kircubbin a slender lead. Minutes before the break Kircubbin's lead was doubled when the keeper was only able to palm a powerful shot off a retreating defender into the net for an own goal. Slightly fortunate, but no less than Kircubbin deserved for their persistent wave of attacks. 2-0 at the break.

During the interval Stephen Clarke demanded much more from his Kircubbin team, as the lads just hadn't performed to their full potential. But it was just going to be one of those days where you had to grind out a result, and Kircubbin were more than capable of doing just that. Now playing with the wind at their backs PSNI were more adventurous going forward. But again the resolute defense of Kircubbin held firm. Early in the second half Kircubbin scored their third goal which effectively killed off the game. Turlough Bell scored the goal with a shot high into the top corner of the net. Minutes later the referee awarded Kircubbin a penalty and things were now looking good for the home team. But Fintan Bell blazed the ball high over the crossbar to give the visitors a faint hope. For the final twenty five minutes PSNI pushed an extra man up front in a bid to salvage something from the game, but all to no avail. Kircubbin played out the remainder of the game to finish comfortably 3-0 winners.

This week the team have been drawn for no game. Next match is a home game on Sat 3rd October v Shankill Utd II in the Junior Shield.