A stuttering performance away against Newmarket saw Albion defeated 3-1. Never getting out of first gear, Albion looked second best for most of the game. A Darren Daly strike fooled the keeper as it bobbled before it reached the goal and finishing in the top corner to level the game. Newmarket got a 2nd & 3rd in the second half. The 2nd, a defensive error when Albion cleared their lines out of the back too quick allowing 3 Newmarket players onside for one of them to head home a cross. The 3rd came as Albion pushed forward for an equaliser, Newmarket won the ball and broke quickly to seal the game with 5 to go.

A disappointing result and the search for a win in Rathcoole continues. Albion now have 1 game left where they need a point or more to secure survival in Division 2, a division they missed out on winning by 2 points the season before.

Scorer: Darren Daly.

Team: Mike Walsh, Darren Daly, James O’Driscoll, Colm O’Donovan, Jamie Daly, JP Hayes, Noel Twomey (David O’Hare ’78), Martin Ryan, Conan Dillon, Ronan O’Driscoll, Tim Harrington.

Albion went a long way in securing their division 2 status with a well earned home 5-3 win over Banteer. Banteer shaded the first half in possession and play though the score at half time proved different. Albion took the lead when Tim won the ball from a throw and turned, he shot near post at a tight angle giving the keeper no hope. Albion went 2-0 up minutes later when James delivered a low corner and Jamie made a perfect run to poke home. An identical goal out Albion 3-0 when Rob punched home from a corner about a minute later. 3-0 half time.

Albion hearts nearly stopped on 47mins as Banteer scored 2 goals in two mins to make it 3-2. Albion moved to 4-5-1 to hold the lead and it worked when Tim Harrington defended from the front, winning the ball from the wing, he then made a burst and finished lovely from the left into the bottom right. Super sub Ronnie made it 5-2 when he made an inside run from the right, latching onto the ball and finishing superbly with the outside of his right. With a few to go Banteer made it 5-3 with a consolation goal. Great win and a vital 3 points.

Scorers: Tim (x2), Rob, Ronnie, Jamie.

Team. Walshy, Darren, James, Jamie, Colm, Japs, Ben Dillon(Mike ’84), Martin R (Ronnie ’60), Conan, Rob (Dave), Tim.

Albion racked up ten goals in a windy Killeady this morning against local rivals Ballinhassig. It was 4-0 after 8 minutes in which Rob and Tim stole the show. Rob opened the scoring after a great assist from Tim. Tim made it 2-0 a minutes later tipping past the keeper. Rob made it 3-0 2 minutes later when the keeper parried it to him to tap in. Tim made it 4-0 after taking it around the keeper. Ballinhassig gave the visitors a scare when they got 2 quick goals. Albion playing 3-5-2 were caught out with two high balls at the back allowing both goals to be tapped in. Albion had it 7-2 at half time when Rob got a hat trick and then James got on the scoresheet twice. It was 10-2 15 mins into the second half. A calamity from their keeper giving rob his 4th of the day. Conan made it 9 & then 10-2 with two lovely finishes. Hassig got a 3rd when the red deemed their players inside for a tap in. Albion saw out the game for a vital 3 points.

scorers: Rob (x4), Tim (x2), James (x2), Conan (x2).

team: Walshy, Darren, Jamie, Colm, Japs, James (Noel ’45), Martin R, Conan, Ben D, Rob (Ben O’D ’70), Tim (Ronnie ’60). Subs. Mike, Dave.

We have 8 choices to pick from this year, heres a reminder:

Tim Harrington Vs Watergrasshill: Albion had just conceded a goal and straight from tip off, Tim took a shot from the half way line that caught the keeper off guard in a home 3-2 defeat.

James O’Driscoll Vs Ballincollig: Jamesie finished superbly with a half volley half ways inside the 18 yard box to draw level before half time at Eli Lilly in a home 3-1 defeat.

Tim Harrington Vs Crescent: Albion went 5-0 down in this game, Tim picked the ball up in his own half, ran 30 yards and shot from 30 yards into the top corner. An absolute belter in an away 6-3 defeat.

Rob Daly Vs Ballincollig: Rob finished superbly here with a swivel turn and volley in a tight angle to put Albion 1-0 up.

Tim Harrington vs Leeview: Tims equaliser came about from a superb team goal involving Darren & Ben O’Donnell, a great finish nonetheless from outside the box in an away 2-2 draw.

Martin Ryan vs Ballincollig: A right footed shot on the half volley from a reported 30 yards into the top corner to put Albion 2-0 up.

Tim Harrington vs Crescent (at home): Another belter from Tim, a free kick directly into the top right giving the keeper no hope in a 4-2 home defeat.

Rob Daly vs Glanworth: Rob could have easily slotted it home, nope – went for power into the roof of the net to put Albion 4-0 up.

Albion picked up their first league win in 6 months today after a superb display against Ballincollig, all but ending the hosts promotion chances. Ballincollig opened the first spell of the game on top though, it took near to ten minutes before Albion found their shape. Albion took the lead after a quick throw in to Conan Dillon landed back to Martin Ryan who crossed to Rob Daly who swivelled and volleyed from close range, lovely finish!! Albion went 2-0 up after James O’Driscolls corner was headed away by the defence, the ball bounced up lovely for Martin Ryan who hit it on the half volley from 25 yards into the top corner. Albion were 3-0 up when Martin Ryan’s through ball reached Rob Daly who got his second of the game. It was 4-0 soon after great build up play from Conan when Rob played Tim Harrington through who rounded the keeper and finished nicely. Tim was unlucky not to make it 5 on two more occasions before the break. 4-0 half time.

The second half was more about securing the 3 points than getting more goals, but the chances did come Albions way. Tim and Rob were both unlucky not to get more early on. Ballincollig did get back on the scoresheet when Colm headed into his own goal from a free kick unluckily, as he had a great defensive game throughout. Jamie and Darren Daly grew into the game and never looked like getting beat from here on in. JP Hayes was in superb form too as was Ben Dillon starting the game on the right. Ronnie came on after 55mins for the injured Martin, and Ronnie made an immediate impact with some lovely switch in plays and using the wing as his outlet. Mike replaced Ben and Dave replaced Rob in the last 10 and both players made use of themselves on and off the ball with the time they had on the field.

A great win that was badly needed and puts more pressure on the teams below.

Walshy, Darren, James, Jamie, Colm, JP, Ben (Mike ’80), Martin (Ronnie ’55), Conan, Rob (Dave ’82), Tim.

Albion delivered a sucker punch to promotion hopefuls Leeview last night at Mayfield Sports complex in a deserving 2-2 draw. Albion were on the ball from the start and within the first minute Conan Dillon sent a lovely ball through to Tim who volleyed narrowly over. Tim was through on goal moments later but his shot went and high and wide. Martin was off after 15mins but replaced by Ben in centre mid. Leeview got ahead when Walshy and James collided going for the ball. The ball spilled to the Leeview striker who tapped into the open goal. Albion picked themselves up and 5 mins later drew level when Darren won an arial duel and the ball fell to Ben O’Donnell. Ben played a lovely through ball to Tim who finished superbly low and left from outside the box to reach double figures for the season. There was still time for Walshy to make a great save 1 on 1 to keep the scores level at half time. Albion opened the second half with some lovely play, James playing to japs who played to Rob who then laid the ball off with first touch to Tim who was unlucky not to give albion the lead. Leeview went 2-1 up on the break where their player walked through the defence to tap home. Albion started to dominate from here not giving up. Ronnie replaced rob and Noel replaced Ben as they switched to 3-5-2 moving James up to midfield. The move paid off as James intercepted a ball and ran into the box, his shot was saved but Ronnie was on hand to tap the loose ball in in injury time. Albion moved back to 4-4-3 and saw out the game for a well deserved point.

Team. Walshy, Darren, James, Jamie, Colm, Japs, Ben O (Noel ’70), Martin (Ben ’15), Conan, Rob (Ronnie ’75), Tim. Subs not used: Duggy, Dan W, Mike, Dave.

Avoiding relegation looks like more of a challenge after todays 3-0 home defeat against Cloughduv. Cloughduv started the better of the two, camped in Albions half for the first 20mins though having no clear cut opportunities, never looked much of a threat. Albion upped their game from here in the first half and took control for the last 15 with 4 great chances which they should have capitalised on, Ronnie O’Driscoll with 3 (one hitting the bar) and Tim with a free kick. 0-0 half time. Cloughduv came out the hungrier of the two in the second and scored when Albion lost possession with a sloppy pass which allowed a shot from the right. Deccy parried it and the unmarked striker was there to tap home. They were 2-0 up when once again a clearance fell to the opposition and when the ball floated in the Cloughduv midfielder slotted home.It was 3-0 when Albion conceded a penalty. Tim and Duggy both came close but Albion look to be in serious trouble after yet another terrible 2nd half performance probably has them favourites for the drop with Ballinhassig.

Team. Dec, Darren, James, Jamie, Colm, Japs (Dave ’70), Ben O, Martin R (Mike ’79), Rob, Ronnie (Duggy ’65), Tim. Unused Subs. Dan C, Dan W.

Avoiding relegation looks like more of a challenge after todays 3-0 home defeat against Cloughduv. Cloughduv started the better of the two, camped in Albions half for the first 20mins though having no clear cut opportunities, never looked much of a threat. Albion upped their game from here in the first half and took control for the last 15 with 4 great chances which they should have capitalised on, Ronnie O’Driscoll with 3 (one hitting the bar) and Tim with a free kick. 0-0 half time. Cloughduv came out the hungrier of the two in the second and scored when Albion lost possession with a sloppy pass which allowed a shot from the right. Deccy parried it and the unmarked striker was there to tap home. They were 2-0 up when once again a clearance fell to the opposition and when the ball floated in the Cloughduv midfielder slotted home.It was 3-0 when Albion conceded a penalty. Tim and Duggy both came close but Albion look to be in serious trouble after yet another terrible 2nd half performance probably has them favourites for the drop with Ballinhassig.

Team. Dec, Darren, James, Jamie, Colm, Japs (Dave ’70), Ben O, Martin R (Mike ’79), Rob, Ronnie (Duggy ’65), Tim. Unused Subs. Dan C, Dan W.

Albion made a decent come back today being 5-0 down with 20 minutes to go to finish 6-3 away to league leaders Crescent. Crescent went 1-0 up after Dan Coleman have away a soft penalty with 15 minutes gone. They then scored two similar tap ins just before half time to make it 3-0. Albion did have the ball in the net through Ronnie when Tim challenged the keeper in a 50/50 but the ref deemed it a foul. 3-0 half time.

Albion started the second half well but went 4-0 down after Dan gave away a second penalty. It was 5-0 soon after when the Crescent winger caught deccy off guard for a superb finish from some distance out. Japs had the crescent defence scrambling soon after with an effort that hit the bar and fell to Ronnie who scored his first albion goal in 5 seasons. Crescent went 6-1 up when a mix up at the back left them through to finish. Tim Harrington then scored one of the goals of the season when the Albion team broke down a crescent attack, Harrington collected the ball inside his own half and let loose with a stunning top corner strike from 30 yards to make it 6-2. A minute later Dave O’Hare picked up Timmys assist to finish low under the keeper to make it 6-3. Both teams hit the bar after this and it made a nervy finish to the game from Crescent. Not the worst performance from Albion but they will need to step it up another gear if they are looking to take points from the next fixture against Leeview.

Team. Murray, Twomey, Coleman (O’Hare ’55), D Daly, O’Donovan, O’Donnell, O’Driscoll, Ryan (O’Connell ’60), Hayes, R O’Driscoll, Harrington.

Albion are looming all too close to the relegation zone after a home 3-1 defeat to Ballincollig yesterday. On a losing streak of 4 in a row, Albion went in to the game as underdogs as Ballincollig have started to make a promotion push of late. Though in the opening 45 minutes you would think it was the other way around. Ballincollig did take the lead after a shocking decision from the referee to leave a blatant offside goal stand when the player collected a pass while standing on the end line with no defender near him. You couldn’t be any more offside, but the ref decided the let the goal stand to the frustration of the Albion lads. They did almost square the game when JP Hayes was put through and finished over the top. Tim Harrington was unlucky with a shot on also which forced a corner. Ronan O’Driscoll worked well with Martin El-Sahen & Tim on an attack which left Ronnie with a shot headed for the top corner when the keeper got a late hand to it. James O’Driscoll had Albion back at 1-1 with a lovely left footed half volley just before half time.

Albion worked a lovely move from kick off with Tim nearly through on goal which forced another corner. Against the run of play Ballincollig scored when their winger sent a shot through which unfortunately squeezed under stand in keeper Deccy Murray. 2 minutes later their midfielder, all too easily, ran through 4-5 Albion players to make it 3-1 completely wrong footing Deccy in the goal. Ballincollig took more of a hold on the game as some heads dropped with the home team. Albion created a few more chances but nothing to trouble Ballincollig.

Another bad day at the office that has De Courcey Albion on a losing streak with all the signs of a squad lacking confidence.

Team: Murray, D Daly, D Coleman (N Twomey ’70), O’Donovan, J Daly, El-Sahen (O’Donnell ’65), Hayes, Ryan, J O’Driscoll, R O’Driscoll, Harrington. Subs. M O’Connell, D O’Hare.