Lacklustre Mals Throw Away Points

A poor all-round display, defensive errors and a failure to take chances cost the Mals dearly in their first premiership game of the 2010/11 season and they went down 3-1 to a well-organised Comber Rec side.

The first half was a dour affair with Mals just shading it on chances. Mark McCourt had a half-chance in the third minute but just failed to get a good connection on a cross from the right and his header went tamely wide. Smyth had another opportunity on 25 minutes but blasted high over the bar after good link play with Bell.  Comber were content to sit back and defend and rely on their height advantage from set pieces and rarely troubled the Mals’ goal.

Half-time: Malachians 0 Comber Rec 0

The second half continued in the same vein with chances few and far between. On the hour mark Smyth had a great opportunity to break the deadlock but after some clever approach play with McCourt he shot high and well over the bar from 10 yards with the goal at his mercy. Minutes later Comber went in front when a corner from the right side was played to the back post and headed back across goal for McIntyre to finish from 6 yards.

Rab Doherty replaced Bell up front for the Mals and Johnston replaced McAtee but on 69 mins the visitors went further ahead. The damage was again done from a cross from the right side which was headed against the far post and Robinson reacted quicker than any of the Mals’ defenders to poke the ball into the net. Two minutes later however the home side were back in the game when a good cross from the left side by McKervey found Rab Doherty and his shot from 15 yards wide right was beaten out by the Comber keeper. Johnston was alert to follow up and did very well to let the bouncing ball drop before striking home from 12 yards.  McDonagh replaced  Burns and the Mals had a good opportunity to level the game but Smyth didn’t have then finish to match his weaving run and his shot from 10 yards sailed wide of the post. In the 78th minute the game was up when Millen scored for Comber following a corner kick.

Full-time: Malachians 1 Comber Rec 3

Team: Steele, Ryan Doherty, Devine, Prigent L, Corr, McAtee, McKervey, Bell, Smyth (Capt.), McCourt.

Subs: Rab Doherty, Johnston, McDonagh.