MALS SHOW GRIT TO EARN LATE POINT

Manager's man of the match Aaron Sharpe and goal scorer Stevie McDonagh

Despite being a man down from the 22nd minute Malachians showed great fight and spirit to earn a well-deserved point against premiership league leaders Ards Rangers. Missing Adams, Collins, McGowan, McDonnell and McCourt, the Mals’ central defensive partnership was Sharpe and Hackett and these two players performed superbly throughout the 90 minutes, while full-backs Corr and Dalton also played a significant part in restricting the home side to long-range efforts.  Lowe, back on the right flank after suspension, brought balance back to the team and McAtee had a great game in the middle and worked tirelessly following the loss of his midfield partner to drive his team forward. The latest strikeforce of Faulkner and Moore battled tigerishly up front, but this was a real team effort all over the park which in the end produced a fair result.

Captain Conor McHugh was very harshly red-carded by the referee for reacting to a crude attack by the Ards No.11 but, although the home team took the lead ten minutes later, the 10-man Mals’ team refused to lie down despite some over-physical challenges. Ards Rangers took the lead on 32 minutes when Stirling, capitalising on Mals’ failed attempts to clear their lines, drove home from 14 yards into the far corner. McAtee almost equalised on the stroke of half-time when his bullet header from Lowe’s cross from the right touchline sailed inches past the post.

Half-time: Ards Rangers 1 Malachians 0

The second period was much like the end of the first with the home side seeking to force home their numerical advantage, whilst the Mals sought to keep the score at 1-0 and play on the break. The Mals’ players and subs all played their part in a battle to salvage a point and, although Ards Rangers were also reduced to 10 men on 70 minutes, the Mals were instantly reduced to 9 men after a bruising tackle on Allsopp, who had replaced Faulkner, forced the young striker off with a bad ankle injury. It was another sub however, McDonagh, who put his mark on the game with a late, late equaliser. Sharpe drove a long free-kick at pace into the box and McDonagh rose like an eagle to flick a header into the keeper’s right-hand corner.

The Mals should take great confidence from this display and, with players returning from injury, they will be looking for more battling performances and more league points in the weeks ahead.

Full-time: Ards Rangers 1 Malachians 1