Clarence Cup Exit

Mals skipper Ciaran Devlin, referee Robert Cousins and Killyleaghs Sam Wallace

In brilliant spring sunshine, on a heavily sanded pitch, at the for once appropriately named Stadium of Sand, Malachians went out of the Clarence Cup beaten two nil by a strong, resolute and well organised Killyleagh side getting revenge for their league defeat at the same venue three weeks before. Killyleagh were worthy winners but Mals were left scratching their heads and wondering how, in a match in which they were the dominant side in the first half and in which their defence was outstanding throughout, they still lost the game.

McCourt after his recent impressive performances started upfront alongside Anto Crawford, an assured and composed Tony Burns returned at left back and Micky “Shotty” Smyth started wide on the right. Mals opened brightly with Prigent buzzing although Doherty nearly let the away side in early with an ill-advised attempted back pass from half way. On twenty minutes Prigent slipped in McCourt on goal but his attempted “curler” drifted wide.

Prigent was at the heart of all the action for the Mals, a fact not lost on Killyleagh, who then clearly targeted the creative Mals midfielder with a few hefty late challenges. After the bright start the game settled into a midfield battle with both sides cancelling each other out and few clear cut chances at either end. Mals were having the better of it but the game got a bit niggly then with referee Cousins forced into yellow cards for Killyleagh’s Heron and Malachians’ Prigent as he attempted to retain control. Despite the competitive nature it was never a dirty match and referee Cousins, with assessor in tow, controlled the game well throughout.

In particular the Mals central defence of Kavanagh and Devlin caught the eye with resolute defending whilst alongside them full backs Doherty and the returning Burns snuffed out any danger and got forward at every opportunity. Steele in the Mals goal didn’t have a worthwhile save to make throughout the half.

HT Malachians 0 Killyleagh 0

The whole tie changed, and indeed was settled, within the first seventeen minutes of the second half. After thirteen minutes a rash tackle by Doherty inside the box saw Killyleagh awarded a clear penalty which winger John Murray duly dispatched , giving the away side the lead, somewhat against the run of play. The Mals management of Lyttle and Donnelly instantly replaced front man Crawford, who was clearly having a rare off day and getting little out of a strong Killyleagh defence, with Dinger Bell. Four minutes later however the away side went further in front when the Mals defence failed to clear and centre forward Dale Davidson scored Killyleagh’s second.

Mals were now second best and a well organised Killyleagh side merely sat back and invited the home side on. Change was clearly required and twenty five minutes into the half Lowe and McHugh were sent on for Doherty and McAtee with Smyth going upfront alongside Bell and Mals going to three at the back.

The incisive changes however failed to change the game and the hoped for chances just never materialised as the away side ran out comfortable winners. Best for Mals were defenders Kavanagh, Devlin and Burns. Best for Killyleagh was midfielder Philip Rogan. Plus points for Mals? New keeper Steele looked confident and vociferous and the back four looked assured and organised. In the middle McAlea looked as competitive as ever and Prigent had an excellent first half before fading in the second. However McAtee and Smyth both looked uncomfortable in wide positions and it was simply a bad day at the office for the normally free scoring forward players. Despite this morale and confidence remain high, there is excellent competition for places and another competitive home league fixture against Islandmagee next Saturday beckons.

FT Malachians 0 Killyleagh 2

Malachians : Steele Doherty Kavanagh Devlin Burns Smyth Prigent McAlea McAtee McCourt Crawford subs. Bell Lowe McHugh

MoM : Tony Burns

Match Sponsor: Joe Macklin and The Sports Company