ENCOURAGING CUP OPENER FOR MALS

Malachians opened the season with a comfortable 4-1 win away to Ardglass in the first round of the Steel and Sons Cup. There is no doubt that Mals have a bigger and stronger squad this season and despite having McHugh out through suspension, new signings Fitzsimmons and McDonnell unavailable, and Lowe and Paul Prigent excluded for administrative reasons, managers Lyttle and Donnelly were still able to field an impressive fourteen man squad for this opening fixture.

On the big, pristine Ardglass pitch, in glorious sunshine with only a light breeze, Mals opened with an attacking forward three of McCourt , Bell and maestro Smyth who was given the captain’s armband. Despite this the first real chance of the game fell to Ardglass with midfielder Liam Mullan striking narrowly wide whilst at the other end a defender sliced perilously close over his own crossbar after a corner. On twenty minutes new Mal Barry “Brickie” McKervey sliced towards his own goal from fully thirty five yards and the ball almost sailed in for what would have been an embarrassing first competitive start to his Mals career. The Mals back four looked much more settled and accomplished than in recent weeks with centre backs Niall Devine and Liam Prigent dovetailing well. Corr was a revelation in midfield where he looks much happier and full backs Doherty and Burns were getting forward at every opportunity.

Despite this Ardglass probably had the better of the early exchanges but that all changed on twenty seven minutes. McCourt began a move in midfield sweeping the ball wide to McAtee on the right.  He chose to ignore the overlapping run of fullback Doherty and whipped in a delightful cross with pace which was powerfully headed home from twelve yards by McCourt as he ghosted into the box to finish a move he himself started. The emphasis now switched to the away side and in an eventful first period for Ardglass midfielder Liam Mullan he was booked by referee John Stephenson for a heavy challenge on Mals skipper Smyth. Mals were now ending the half strongly. First a delightful flowing move involving Devine and McCourt saw maestro Smyth just narrowly fail to play Bell in, then a long range effort from McKervey whistled narrowly wide. Just before the break a great individual effort from livewire McCourt , after being well found by Burns, also just failed to hit the target as Mals finished the half well on top.

HT: Ardglass 0 Malachians 1

Just five minutes into the half Ryan Doherty limped off with a knee injury to be replaced by cousin Rab, making his Mals first team debut in the Mals midfield, as Corr moved to full back. It was an impressive start for young Doherty with confident, strong running and tackling and a clear desire to get forward and take shots on goal. Twelve minutes in the ever dependable McAtee, sporting an eye catching haircut for the new season, chipped forwards to captain Smyth. He in turn deftly headed on for McKervey to drill home what has already become a trademark left foot piledriver low to the corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Within two minutes the game was effectively over when Mals went three up. Bell neatly cushioned a forward prod on his ample thigh before laying the ball off for Doherty to unleash a spectacular half volley to the top corner of the net from well outside the box to rapturous applause from the Mals sideline. Essers Johnston then replaced the hard working Bell upfront with Stephen McDonagh, another player making his competitive debut, replacing  goal scorer McKervey in midfield as the pace of the game faltered in the heat. McAtee and McCourt were at the heart of everything in the second period whilst at the back one crunching, committed fair tackle from Corr had everyone winching and showed his commitment to the cause.

Fifteen minutes from time Mals scored a fourth when another solo effort from McCourt saw him weave and jink his way through the home defence before sidefooting under home keeper Mark Armstrong . There was time for a late consolation goal for Ardglass when a defensive lapse allowed home skipper Stephen Deegan in to score.

Malachians FC would like to thank Ardglass for their hospitality after the game. So a winning start to the season for Malachians. The team looked balanced , sharp and creative and most importantly converted their chances when they came. With competition for places greater than ever it’s an encouraging start but much tougher challenges lie ahead . Up the Mals !

FT Ardglass 1 Malachians 4

Managers’ MoM : Peter Corr

Best for Ardglass: Liam mullan

Ardglass: Armstong Crangle Deegan,C Beattie Rooney Halpin Deegan,S Mullan Taggart Feenan Curran subs Telford Kearney Armstong

Malachians: Steele Doherty,R Devine Prigent,L Burns McAtee Corr McKervey McCourt Bell Smyth subs Johnston Doherty,R McDonagh