"Not Good Enough"

Portaferry skipper David Fitzsimmons, referee Joe Watson and  Mals captain Conor McHugh

All the progress and momentum of recent weeks seemed to count for nothing today as Malachians embarrassingly went out of the Clarence Cup beaten two goals to one by a resilient Portaferry Rovers side who grabbed two early goals, defended as if for their lives at times, rode their luck to a degree in the second half, but left deserved winners in the final analysis.

It was a near full strength Mals squad that took the field , missing only Dalton and Adams, welcoming back Stevie McDonagh and Conor Allsopp to the bench alongside the rested James Moore, with McDonnell, back from suspension, starting up front alongside McCourt. Malachians opted to start with the strong, gusty wind at their backs but within two minutes were behind as the visitors got off to a dream start. Despite the win at their backs a mix up between Mals keeper Stitt and centre-back Collins saw his header back, from outside the box, catch Stitt flat footed and an embarrassing own goal was the result.

Portaferry threatened again soon after when former Glentoran starlet Michael Doran headed narrowly wide. Both sides were struggling to overcome the conditions but with the wind behind Mals then laid siege to the away goal without really threatening.

On twenty minutes Mals found themselves further behind again through another uncharacteristic defensive lapse. Hackett lost possession in the left back position, away centre forward Doran took full advantage and crossed for the incoming Jerome Trainor to side foot home sweetly to the top corner from the edge of the box for his side’s second goal.

McDonnell hit a post, Reilly headed over and there was a little bit of niggle between opposing captains McHugh and Fitzsimmons, which was soon sorted out by referee Joe Watson who had a good game throughout, as Mals toiled and Rovers defended doggedly. A McDonnell free was well tipped over by away keeper Andrew Sands, a flick by Reilly almost played McCourt in, but the away side held their ground despite the strong wind against and held their two goal lead as the half time whistle went.

HT : Malachians 0 Portaferry Rovers 2

Mals clearly decided to up the ante at the break, they had little choice, and Moore replaced McCourt as the home side opened the second period in determined fashion despite the strong wind against. However at the other end a short clearance by Stitt almost let away striker Doran in again. Mals were now dominating with Portaferry being forced deeper into their own half with home defenders Collins and the impressive Dillon getting forward into attack at every opportunity.

Twelve minutes into the second period and Mals opened their account. A break out of defence saw McDonnell slip his marker and cross perfectly for strike partner Moore to finish well from just inside the penalty spot. Portaferry were now starting to feel the pressure and captain Fitzsimmons was first to see yellow from referee Watson. McDonnell nearly squeezed one under keeper Sands and after good linking on the right from Dillon and McDonnell, a cross found Lowe but his goal bound effort was cleared off the line by home defender Brian Fitzsimmons with the keeper beaten.

As the wind eased so the Mals pressure increased, Dillon was heavily involved and Collins struggled on bravely despite clearly feeling his back with every contact. Home defender Paul Convery was booked for a poor challenge as Mals dominated and with ten minutes to go Allsopp replaced McAtee in the midfield. However despite the dominance and possession, Mals clearly lacked composure in front of goal. Mals huffed and puffed, Portaferry resisted resolutely and Mals simply ran out of ideas as the game ended to raucous cheers from the away sideline as they celebrated a victory that their overall performance deserved. It was a bitter pill for Malachians on the other hand, players, managers and supporters alike to swallow. Not good enough was the harsh summary from manager Saunders reflecting afterwards and that was about the height of it. However the same squad of players have delivered a series of impressive displays in recent weeks and it is that sort of committed approach that Mals will need when Shankill Utd are the visitors to the Stadium of Sand next Saturday. Up the Mals !

FT: Malachians 1 Portaferry Rovers 2

Best for Mals: Patrick Dillon

Best for Portaferry: Michael Doran