Mals On The Up !

For the second time in three days Malachians were disappointed to only come away with a draw, this time away to highly fancied Kilmore Rec. They dominated the early exchanges, despite going behind to an early penalty, and then gave a footballing display of the highest quality throughout the first half with the home side hardly getting a kick. Despite the display Mals could only manage a single score, a goal of the season candidate from Brendy Lowe. The second half was a much more open and even affair with Kilmore on top but neither side able to add to the scoresheet and the game ended 1-1.

With just five minutes gone Paul Prigent put on the after burners and accelerated clean through the centre of the home defence only to side foot straight at home keeper Curran with the goal beckoning. All the early pressure was coming from Mals but disaster struck after just ten minutes when away keeper Steele was judged to have impeded a striker during a goal mouth scramble and eagle eyed referee Damien “Give my head peace” Grimley had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Kilmore captain Niall Murray duly converted for a goal against the run of play. Many teams might have crumbled after this early set back but not this current Mals side and with five men across the midfield they passed and moved superbly throughout the half with the home side hemmed back into their own half chasing shadows for long spells.

Lowe played in captain Smyth but he scuffed his shot from a great position then Lowe again weaved his magic to the byeline to cross low for his captain once more who could only manage a feeble effort goalwards from only yards out which was gratefully snapped up by home keeper Curran to howls of disbelief on the Mals sideline. McAtee was everywhere and, ably assisted by wide men Lowe and McKervey and McHugh and Paul Prigent inside, they put on a superb display in the first period. The deserved equaliser finally arrived on thirty minutes and was worth the wait. McKervey threw in a long cross from the left to the far post which was brilliantly brought down by McCourt. He slipped it to Lowe who nutmegged a defender before curling a stunning left foot shot to the top corner to put the sides level.

There was still time for two great chances for Paul Prigent who unfortunately blazed both shots high and wide, keeper Steele hardly had a touch, but unbelievably the sides went in level after one of the best forty five minutes seen from a Malachians side for a long time.

HT: Kilmore Rec 1 Malachians 1

                      Brilliant goal Lowe.........................................................................Inscrutable Devlin

The second half was a much more open affair with Kilmore having by far the better of it but they nearly went behind just minutes into the half  when an opportunistic snap shot from maestro Smyth from the edge of the box rattled the crossbar with the home keeper Curran beaten. Mals continued to play three across the back with the returning Devlin showing he has lost none of his old tricks and desire, Liam Prigent combative and effective in the centre and McDonagh delivering a man of the match display on the left , constantly breaking up the home side’s attacks. After twenty minutes Essers Johnston replaced the hard working McCourt upfront before McDonnell replaced the excellent Liam Prigent who limped off with a dead leg with McHugh dropping into defence. It was good to see McDonnell finally on the pitch in a competitive fixture and he used all his skill and experience to hold the ball well in the midfield as Kilmore applied the pressure in the second half. Late on Doherty replaced the effective McKervey who had been heavily involved throughout.

The second half certainly belonged to the home side with two good chances, first a headed chance which went wide for striker Graham and later Lewis screwed over from close in, but Mals still looked dangerous on the counter although their football and domination never reached the dizzy heights of the first half. Another competent display from no-nonsense referee Grimley, who controlled the game quietly and effectively throughout, was also worth a mention. Kilmore are a strong and highly fancied side this season but it was the Mals who came away from this one with their tails up after a superb display, in the first half in particular,which bodes well for the season. Things are clearly on the up.

FT: Kilmore Rec 1 Malachians 1

MoM : Stevie McDonagh

Malachians : Steele Devlin Prigent,L McDonagh Lowe Prigent,P McAtee McHugh McKervey McCourt Smyth (capt) subs Johnston McDonnell Doherty

Kilmore Rec : Curran,N Bell Miskelly Sloan Cheevers McCarthy Lewis Kennedy Murray (capt) Graham Casey subs Curran,G Rogan Smyth