Match of the Week: Crumlin chalk up first win in its title defence
Crumlin United fought back from a goal down to earn their first league win of the young season (Photos: Paddy Barrett)

Match of the Week: Crumlin chalk up first win in its title defence

CRUMLIN United recovered from an inauspicious start to their LSL Major Division clash with neighbouring rivals, Bluebell United to win out 3-1 at Capco Park last Saturday.

Shipping a penalty nine minutes in, the visitors managed to restore parity before the break compliments of Zack O’Hagan after which second-half goals from David Mooney and Jack Curran ensured they returned home with the spoils.

It was Bluebell who drew first blood when player-manager, Stephen Kinch found the back of the net from the spot after Brandon Brooks had been upended in the box.

Yet that was as close as they would come to earning something from this tie, as the defending champions took charge and levelled the match midway through the half when O’Hagan raced on to a through ball before rounding the Bluebell netminder and slotting home.

He was presented with another couple of opportunities to add to his and Crumlin’s tally just before the break, but one effort from just inside the box travelled wide of the mark, and another from outside was saved.

Despite a good start, Bluebell United were left empty-handed after Saturday’s Major Division match

While Bluebell struggled to create anything of note, the visitors continued to turn the screw after the interval and edged in front for the first time in the match when Curran’s ball in from the left was parried out only as far as Mooney and he duly tucked it away.

In midfield John O’Sullivan and former Bluebell player, Ross O’Brien pulled the strings for Crumlin, with the latter even going close to getting on the scoresheet himself when he had a crack from some 30 yards out that cannoned back off the crossbar.

The insurance score was served up 15 minutes from time when Dean Sutcliffe whipped in a delivery from the right that travelled out to Curran on the left.

Crumlin United’s Zack O’Hagan and Bluebell’s Paul Costello both go for a loose ball during Saturday’s LSL Major Division clash at Capco Park

The winger duly gathered possession and raced to the edge of the box from where he unleashed a low drive to the back of the net.

The final scoreline might have been even more emphatic had Graham Zambra not been denied by a good save when he was afforded a sight of goal just five minutes from time.

Still Crumlin had done enough to add three points to the one they earned in their 1-1 draw with Sacred Heart the previous week.

This practically new-look Crumlin side, under the management team of Mark Meehan, Paul Pollard and David Meehan, will now turn their attention to knockout competition as they take on Maynooth in the Leinster Junior Cup before facing near neighbours, Galty Celtic in the FAI Junior competition the following week.

Meanwhile, Bluebell, who beat Tolka Rovers and drew with Malahide in their two previous league outings, will travel to Glasnevin for their Leinster Junior Cup first round match.

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