Ryan Adler
Hit a brilliant double against Crumlin Utd.

RYAN Adler was back to his brilliant best when he netted a glorious double to secure all three points for a battling Kilmore side.

The Rec were again forced to shuffle their pack and Ryan Slavin, Chris Perry, Niall McCarthy, Neil Obank and Stevie Rogan all started in a change from last week's side beaten by Sport and Leisure.

Things started badly for Kilmore and when they failed to deal a with a cross in the second minute Crumlin's right winger pounced and slammed the ball home from five yards out.

Kilmore hit back immediately and with seven minutes gone McCarthy powered in a free kick from Philip Gill to make it 1-1.

Crumlin responded well and three minutes later Slavin was called into action when he was forced to palm away a dangerous cross-cum-shot.

The tackles were flying in at this stage with both sets of players trying to impose themselves on the game and Crumlin's number 7 was the first to enter the referee's notebook when he was booked for a late tackle on Philip Traynor.

With 23 minutes gone Adler and Rogan worked a half chance for Traynor, but he was denied by the Crumlin goalkeeper.

Kilmore then shot themselves in the foot for a second time when sloppy defensive play in the 25th minute presented the Crumlin striker with a simple tap in.

McCarthy and Rogan then entered the referee's notebook before Slavin saved Kilmore's bacon with a brave save well at the feet of a Crumlin forward.

Kilmore changed their system during the interval and opted for a 3-5-2 formation with Mark Miskelly coming on for Karl Lewis and and McCarthy being pushed into midfield.

Play continued to be a bit physical and two Crumlin players were booked for rash challenges, but chances at either end were few and far between.

With 73 minutes gone Kilmore thought they had won a free on the edge of the Crumlin box when Kennedy was hacked down, but the referee didn't agree and waved play on.

However, less than two minutes later Miskelly fired over a tantalising cross from the left and Adler headed in a cracker to make it 2-2 and all to play for.

Kilmore went for broke at this stage and brought on John Young for Perry in a last throw of the dice and the gamble paid off.

Kennedy had a shot well saved before McCarthy and Rogan combined to carve out an opening for Adler and the Portaferry python struck with venom to put his side in front.

Nearly four minutes into added time young Ciaran McGarrity came to Kilmore's rescue when he produced a timely interception as the visitors had to dig deep.

However, Kilmore had done enough to secure an important victory that will help restore team morale.

Kilmore Rec: R. Slavin, L. Sloan, N. McCarthy, C. Perry, P. Gill, K. Lewis, N. Obank, G. Kennedy, P. Traynor, S. Rogan, R. Adler. Subs: M. Miskelly, J. Young, C. McGarrity.