No Joy at the Diamond

Mals skipper Jame Moore, referee Jeff Holden and Rathfern captain Gary Robinson

In a hard fought and often bruising encounter at the Diamond, Malachians second string suffered their first league defeat of the season when they were defeated 3-2 by Rathfern Rangers. Overall Mals were the better side and bravely battled on to the very end in search of a late equaliser, but Rathfern stood firm in defence and took their chances clinically to win the fixture to their obvious delight.

With Tucker Kelly delayed until after kick off manager McKay’s pre match planning for such a vital fixture was clearly disrupted, and with goalkeeper Paul Snodden again unavailable it meant another call up for club stalwart Maxi Mackel , who performed admirably throughout with one stunning, one-handed save in the second half. Decky Sherlock was with the first team which saw the Mals start with a central defensive partnership of Donaldson and Coleman.

Mals were quick out of the blocks and with just three minutes gone a quick free kick put Black clear on the right but his cross just narrowly evaded both Moore and McCoy. Just minutes later a quick Mals counter attack saw Clarke slip McCoy in and he calmly side footed to the net only to be called back for off side. This was clearly a harsh call by referee Holden, as McCoy let him know, as the big midfielder was clearly looking along the line of the last man as he awaited the pass and certainly appeared well onside. Mals early pressure eventually told when on ten minutes the industrious Moore crossed from the right for Black to head home for a well deserved lead.

With just fifteen minutes Mals management suffered another setback when Sean Coleman was forced off with a hamsting pull. As Peter Corr took the field to replace him there seemed a momentary confusion in the Mals defence , which Rathfern striker Matthew Benson took full advantage of, to slam home the equaliser.

The game continued in a physical fashion with no quarter being asked for or given by either side and on thirty two minutes an opportunistic,early toe poke by Mals skipper Moore from all of thirty yards nearly embarrassed home keeper Mark Robinson. Rathfern then displayed another example of clinical finishing when Benson drilled home his second of the afternoon from twenty yards past the despairing dive of Mals’keeper Mackle. Despite this setback Mals remained on top and a great header from Moore produced a finger tip save from Robinson and the home keeper was called into action only moments later to palm away a fierce drive from McCoy, played in by Black, as the Mals pressed for an equaliser

                                                        HT Rathfern Rangers 2 Malachians 1

The second half opened in similar, entertaining fashion with both sides committed to the cause as the game became more open and flowed from end to end. A Rathfern defender was forced into a header against his own bar and, at the other end, Mals keeper Mackel dealt well with a stinging drive straight at him before producing the save of the day with a spectacular one handed save to a shot from distance.

Eighteen minutes into the half , and against the run of play, Rathfern increased their lead. With two players lying prostrate on the ground in the centre circle after a collision and with the Mals’ players hesitating thinking play would be stopped , Rathfern played on, exploiting the hesitancy, allowing Willie Murdie to score his side’s third. It was a moment of controversy in the game, but you can’t fault Rathfern for playing to the whistle and again clinically taking their chances.

This third goal might have finished off the desire of most sides away from home, but not this spirited Mals side. Urged on from the sideline by managers McKay and Magee , the Mals refused to concede defeat and Curran went close from close range, before Feighan and Kelly were brought on, with twenty minutes left, for Clarke and Turley, as Mals went three at the back

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With ten minutes remaining, as he so often does, Feighan came off the bench to produce the goods and he threw his side a lifeline by coolly slotting home from inside the box to reduce the deficit to just a single goal. The Mals looked favourites to score again but almost immediately after the goal Sheppard pulled up with a hamstring and cruelly reduced the Mals to ten men. He did bravely rejoin the game before the end but was reduced to hobbling about upfront as his team mates chased the game. Rathfern dropped numbers back into defence but, with Mals committed to attack, still threatened on the counter. A brave and battling Mals team were unable to break down a committed and resolute home defence and the game ended in joyous delight for the home side and bitter disappointment for the Mals. Rathfern took their chances when the opportunities arose and goals win matches.

So the Mals taste league defeat for the first time this season, but manager McKay will take comfort from not just the battling nature of this display but also the football his side played against strong opposition and the chances created , if not the finishing. This team has a style and a camaraderie that will serve them well as the season reaches it’s climax. Up the Mals !

                                       FT Rathfern Rangers II 3 Malachians II 2