Wright goal eclipses Star's unbeaten run

Crumlin Star 2

A DRAMATIC last-minute strike from substitute Jamie Wright takes Kilroot Rec back to the top of Division 2a, as championship favourites Crumlin Star were beaten in the league for the first time this season.

It was the clubs’ third meeting of the season; Kilroot losing at Beltoy by a single goal in the Cochrane and Corry quarter-finals back in March, while only an injury-time penalty prevented them grabbing a deserved share of the spoils at Mallusk just a few weeks ago.

Both sides were far from full strength. Kilroot were missing their first-choice strike pairing of Andrew Dummigan and Joel Lough, although this opened the door for Robbie Kennedy, who seized his opportunity, nodding in an Andrew Benson free kick to give Paul Hannan’s side an 11th minute lead.

Crumlin bridged the gap eight minutes later, cracking open Rec’s somewhat creaky offside trap.

Kilroot regained their lead on the hour, with Benson thundering a free kick into the top corner from 22 yards.

The Ardoyne side duly cancelled that one out 12 minutes later and it looked like a draw until good work from Kennedy and substitute Gary McCahon unearthed an opportunity for Jamie Wright to clinically steer the ball wide of the keeper for that late, late winner.

Next Saturday, it’s Kilroot’s last game of the season, when Newtownbreda are the visitors to Beltoy.

Kilroot Rec; Haggan – Braiden, Smiley, Stuart Hamilton, B Meek – Todd (J Wright), McFetridge, Benson (Blaney), Dallas (McCahon) – Kennedy, Cole.