UUJ FC II 7-1 Killyleagh YC II
NAFL 3A Saturday 1st October 2011
UUJ Line Up
1. Michael McCluskey
2. Chris McKeown
3. Anto Pelan
4. Ben Harvey
5. Fergal Brannigan
6. Anto Hughes 
7. Aaron Canning 
8. Ciaran Murray
9. Dominic Friel
10. Ryan Kelly
11. Dee Magennis
14. Chris Strong 
15. Chris O'Kane
16. Damian Della Croce
A change in the fixture schedule meant that UUJ II played host to Killyleagh II, with their cup game being put back to the following week.
Killyleagh did the double over UUJ last season so perhaps there was a bit of revenge in some of the minds of the players.
With 4 wins from their opening 4 games and 12 goals to the good, UUJ from the outset simply oozed confidence.
Friel made his first appearance for the seconds having spent the opening few games with the first team. He partnered the tenacious Kelly up front and arguably the game's pace was set by the unselfish running by these two. The two speedy forwards snapped at the heels of the defenders and ran the channels brilliantly.
UUJ quickly settled into their game. Without being too disparaging to Killyleagh, they simply could not contend with UUJ's quick, crisp passing, running off the ball, ideas and willingness to win the ball back.
It wasn't before long that UUJ got the first goal 20 mins in. A quick throw in by Friel over the head of the Killyleagh right back found Magennis in the box. He took the ball on the chest, nipped it past the onrushing centre half and dispatched a low drive into the bottom left hand corner. The goal settled the home team and they grew in confidence all over the pitch.
Although Killyleagh had an extra man in midfield it gave little worry to Hughes and Murray who simply passed around them. Crosses continued to rain in from the wings from Canning, Magennis, Pelan and McKeown, the latter two being fullbacks who are as comfortable in the opposing team's box as there are in their own. Only for offside decisions or over hit passes on the greasy pitch, it wasn't going to be long before a second goal came.
When it did come it was something special. About 15 mins before the break, Hughes picked the ball up about 30 yards from goal. Finding himself unmarked, he turned and hit a thunderbolt of a shot which rocketed into the top left hand corner. Unbelievable tekkers!
The UUJ defence was not troubled at all in the first half, with only shots from distance and the odd long ball keeping them on their toes.
HT 2-0
'Much of the same please' was the half time team talk by UUJ management and the players didn't disappoint. A goal came early in the second half and again it was the result of the eagerness of the UUJ players. Friel, chasing a supposed nothing ball, was upended in the box and the ref pointed to the spot. Magennis stepped up and rifled it straight down the middle as the keeper dived to the left.
With Kelly suffering from shin splints, Strong came on to replace him. He immediately made an impact by picking the ball up on the left of the box from a pass from Murray. He beat a player and drilled the ball across goal where Murray had made a run from midfield, scoring UUJ's fourth.
Further subs were made around 70mins in now that the game was effectively over. Canning made way for O'Kane and Friel made way for Mooney.
O'Kane, playing on the right of midfield chased a ball down the line from McKeown. He skilfully dragged the ball with his right heel passed the left back, wrong footing him. With the ball now on his chocolate leg, he swung a beautifully left footed effort over the keeper and into the top left hand corner.
Magennis got his hat-trick not long after. Picking the ball up on the left he played a one two with Hughes and headed into the box. With the centre half closing he got his shot away early and found the bottom left hand corner.
Killyleagh got their consolation goal. A cross from their left winger was headed clear by Pelan. The ball struck the arm of their forward, who to be fair knew nothing about it. He finished it lovely, turning 180 degrees and finding the bottom corner.
Wrapping up the goals was Anto Hughes for his second of the day. O'Kane this time turning provider, pulled the ball back to the edge of the box, where Hughes struck it first time along the grass. The wet pitch may have hindered the keeper as he dived and the ball slipped under him.
FT 7-1
DM