25th April 2009

 

On Saturday Kircubbin travelled to Ballynahinch to play Temple Rangers, looking to overturn a defeat from the first game of the season back in September. Temple are currently in a tight relegation battle, and Kircubbin knew they would be in for a tough match. Recent Kircubbin performances have been steadily improving, and team manager Stephen Clarke was confident of gaining another three points to maintain their mid table status.

Both teams started of the match quickly with the Temple keeper the busier of the two goalies. But it took an error from the Temple keeper to allow Kircubbin to take the lead. Midway through the first half the keeper misjudged a cross, and the loose ball fell to Matthew Clarke, who carefully chipped the ball high into the top corner of the net from 12 yards. Temple's biggest threat came from the aerial ability of their two biggest players, but the Kircubbin defence was well marshalled with Declan Kelly in control at the back. Eugene McGrattan in the Kircubbin goal was a spectator for much of the half, as Temple were restricted to long range efforts which rarely troubled the keeper.

In the second half, Temple who were in dire need of the points, came out strongly and pushed forward in search of an equaliser. But there was little end product to their endeavours, and Kircubbin were relatively comfortable. The second goal of the game came from a set play for Kircubbin. Brendan Masterson latched on to a cross ball to head into the corner of the net. Matthew Torney completed the scoring for Kircubbin with a scrambled effort inside the six yard box. Final score 0-3 and a satisfying three points away from home.