24th September 2011
Following two draws and a defeat, Kircubbin badly needed a win to kick start their season. Saturday saw them play hosts to Newtonbreda FC. The last meeting between the two teams was a tight game at the end of last season with Breda eventually winning the game.
The team lined out with Fintan Bell in goals, Cahal McGrattan, Darren McIlveen, Ciaran Taylor and Shaun Clancy in defence. Mick O'Prey, Brendan Masterson were on the wings with Matthew Torney and Francis McCann anchoring the midfield. David Arthurs and Kevin Coyle lead the line in attack.
Kircubbin started brightly and took control of the game early on. In the tenth minute Kevin had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring for Kircubbin, but his reaction shot went the wrong side of the post with the open net gaping. Shaun Clancy was next to try his luck with a cleverly worked corner kick, but his fierce drive from the edge of the box as tipped over the bar by the Breda keeper. Kircubbin's defence was rarely tested by Breda who played with only one attacker, but on the odd occasion when Breda did put Kircubbin under pressure Fintan and the back four managed to cancel out all opportunities. With the whistle about to sound, Francis McCann opened the scoring from close range with a neat turn and shot low into the corner of the net. 1-0 at the break.
In the second half it was more of the same from Kircubbin, who dominated all over the field. Kircubbin were playing delightful attacking football, and created several more half chances to score. But it took a set piece to double their advantange when Darren McIlveen rose above the Breda defence to power home a header from close range. This seemed to knock Breda for six, and Kircubbin were now looking to close out the game. Kevin Coyle broke the offside trap and raced through on goal, but the striker decided to pass into the box rather than shoot on goal and the chance was snuffed out by the Breda defenders. Minutes later however he didn't make the same mistake as he scored the third goal of the game for Kircubbin to secure a well deserved three points. Final score 3-0.