Mals Edged Out By Kilmore

Kilmore skipper Phillip Traynor, referee John McKnight and  Mals captain Conor McHugh

Malachians recent encouraging run of winning results came to an end today when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Kilmore Rec in an entertaining, competitive fixture that was just shaded by the visitors. Malachians again came back from a goal behind and during a purple patch in the middle of the second period, with the increased belief in the side, could well have gone on to claim all three points. However a late surge from a competent Kilmore side saw the visitors claim a late winner just minutes from time and seal victory .

Mals were without McDonnell, suspended, and late cry offs Dalton and Dillon so there were call ups to the bench for Kavanagh, Crossey and Feighan with McCourt starting upfront alongside Moore. In perfect playing conditions the game opened evenly and the first chance, on seventeen minutes, fell to the visitors when home keeper Stitt failed to gather and visiting centre forward Peter Casey was almost able to take full advantage. At the other end Collins played in McCourt with a perfectly weighted through ball, but the home striker hesitated and all too quickly the clear opening was gone.

Just before the half hour mark home keeper Stitt, bossing his defence for even those watching from the top of Cavehill to hear, made a superb save, low down to his left, at full stretch to deny Casey and from the resultant corner, after a prolonged goal mouth scramble, Mals eventually cleared their lines. Lowe was seeing plenty of the ball down the right flank but it was nip and tuck as both sides battled to gain the upper hand. Only a brilliant reflex save from away keeper Nathan Curran prevented a bullet header from his own team mate Ian Smyth from embarrassing the away side whilst at the other end a rare defensive misjudgement from Collins saw visiting winger Blane Connolly blast wastefully over. So the first half ended goal less with Mals just edging it and the defensive pairing of super cool Collins and Hackett, aided by wingmen Adams and Sharpe, dealing more than comfortably with the visitors abrasive attack force of Casey and Traynor.

HT: Malachians 0 Kilmore Rec. 0

Within two minutes of the restart Mals were caught napping and went behind. A quick throw on the right caught the Mals defence, and most of those watching, by surprise and after Casey’s initial effort was well blocked by Stitt, the visiting striker was quickest to react and finished with ease from close range to give Kilmore the lead. The games first nasty moment then ensued when visiting winger Connolly and Mals defender Adams had a difference of opinion and both ended up in referee John McKnight’s book. A special word for referee McKnight, who controlled the game quietly and efficiently throughout, without complaint from either side.

After their slow start to the second period Mals finally got going and the game really opened up as both sides upped the tempo and attacked. On sixty minutes Mals were level. Collins for the umpteenth time played a measured ball forwards, this time to Moore who tricked his marker into a rash challenge and a resultant free on the right wing. Captain McHugh drilled the ball in and Moore’s clever glancing header re-directed the ball to the corner of the net for the equaliser.

Mals were now well on top with first a long range effort by McCourt and then a header from Moore threatening the visitor’s goal. On sixty seven minutes McCourt beat the offside trap but failed to round the keeper as no less than three Mals players waited on a pass and a great chance to snatch the lead was gone. Collins continued in imperious form as both managers then made two substitutions each to try and change the game. Ryan Montgomery and Peter Telford came on for the visitors whilst Crossey entered for the Mals at right back replacing McAtee with Adams pushing into midfield and Feighan replaced McCourt on the left flank with Reilly going upfront alongside Moore.

Collins and Casey then had a right good go at each other off the ball before Casey caught his tormentor late on the ankle and saw yellow from referee McKnight for his trouble as the game continued in competitive fashion. Mals dominated the middle fifteen of the second period but failed to convert and as the game entered the final ten minutes it was Kilmore, whose substitutions seemed to create the bigger difference, who finished the stronger. A header from away captain Traynor was again superbly pushed away by home keeper Stitt. From the resultant corner however, with just four minutes remaining, away defender Mark Holland rose unchallenged for what proved the winning goal. Mals pushed on hard in the dying minutes and a great chance fell to substitute Feighan but went untaken and Kilmore were content to play keep ball in the corner to see out their victory.

So Kilmore just shaded a competitive game which Mals can feel unlucky not to have taken something from. Stitt again was outstanding and the defence looked for most of the game composed. Adams and McHugh competed strongly in midfield whilst Lowe and Reilly continually posed threats on the flanks. Moore looked sharp upfront and took his chance well. It was a sign of increasing Mals confidence that for a  period in the second half they looked favourites to go on and win the game and were bitterly disappointed in defeat afterwards. Hopefully Saunders and Collins can get the team back on track for the visit to the Stadium of Sand next Saturday of Portaferry Rovers in the Clarence Cup with a 1.30pm kick off.

FT: Malachians 1 Kilmore Rec. 2

Best for Mals : Brendan Adams

Best for Kilmore: Mark Holland