Seconds Lose Out At The Diamond

Mals Peter Johnston and manager's man of the match Gerard Crossey

Malachians seconds travelled to the Diamond to take on old rivals Rathfern Rangers on Saturday. In years gone by this would have been a top of the table game but this season both teams are at the other end of the table with both in the process of rebuilding and finding points hard to come by.

With the pitch in good condition considering the amount of rain which has fallen recently Rathfern went on the attack straight from the kick off but failed to create any clear cut chances. Indeed the first chance of note came on six minutes when Feighan went past two defenders on the right hand side and crossed low only for the home team to scramble the ball out for a corner which was cleared.

It was obvious in the early stages that Feighan had the beating of his marker and the home team were in danger every time he got the ball. The Rathfern wide man wearing number 11 also gave the Mals defence problems every time he got possession. On ten minutes Rathfern had a shot just wide from outside the penalty area and then Mals took the lead. Crossey won the resultant goal kick in midfield and after an exchange of passes with Kavanagh found Feighan out wide. Again the winger went for the bye line only to be fouled, and from the free kick Saunders curled a shot into the top corner of the net.

The goal seemed to shock the home team and Mals played some good passing football with Feighan, Saunders and the hard working Faulkner all causing problems with their skill and ability, and being well supported by Crossey, Kavanagh and Devine. Mals got their reward for their bright football with a second goal on eighteen minutes. McVeigh collected a short goal kick from Murphy and found Kavanagh on the half way line. He surged passed a couple of defenders and again found Feighan who got to the line and crossed low where Crossey arriving in the box stepped inside the centre half before firing a shot across the keeper into the far corner.

Rathfern slowly played their way back into the game with Murphy touching one shot wide and also having to race from his line to block a forward charging through. The referee gave a free kick just outside the area but Burns headed clear. On thirty two minutes Rathfern reduced the arrears. As Mals pressed forward a Rathfern defender won the ball and hit a long clearance which bounced behind the central defenders. The Rathfern centre forward outpaced the defenders to get to the ball first and despite Murphy being quickly off his line the forward shot home. Mals had the last chance of the half when Faulkner held the ball up well and laid it off for his strike partner Saunders who shot wide.

HT: Rathfern Rangers II 1 Malachians II 2

The second half began with the home team pressing forward looking for an equalizer but were held at bay due to some strong defending by Reilly and Burns and with McKee making some good interceptions. However ten minutes in and just after Faulkner was rather dubiously given offside, when straight through on goal, and received a yellow card for his protest, the home team squared the game. Again the Mals defence was caught out by a long ball down the left channel and the Rathfern player was allowed to run through and slot past Murphy.

Rather than feeling sorry for themselves Mals continued to push forward encouraged by captain McKee and with both Crossey and Kavanagh working overtime in midfield. Faulkner had a fierce cross come shot well held by the Rangers keeper, and Devine also had a shot narrowly wide of the post. Just passed the hour mark Mals went back in front when Faulkner controlled the ball just inside the half and played a defence splitting pass to Saunders who dribbled around the keeper and fired home.

Mickey Devine had a great chance to further increase the lead after a one two with Saunders but the keeper got a hand to the ball and just deflected it past the post. This was a crucial save as within minutes the teams were all square again. A Rathfern midfielder tried to play a through ball but hit it straight at Burns who unfortunately allowed the ball to slip under his foot and the forward picked the ball up and again finished cooly.

Mals continued to press but with ten minutes left were caught out again. McVeigh took a throw in on the left but the ball was won by the home team who played the ball down the left side where Mals gave away a free kick. When the ball was crossed several players jumped for the ball and missed it but the ball hit a knee as it fell and ended up in the corner of the net.

Rathfern then threatened to finish the game and Murphy again had to charge from his area to cut out another through ball. Devine then saw yellow as Mals players showed their frustration but despite forcing a number of corners and putting the home team under pressure Rathfern stood firm with their centre back making several vital tackles.

Mals played well going forward and deserved something from the game but credit to Rathfern who never gave in and came back twice from losing positions. Certainly Mals will need a much improved defensive performance if any points are to be gained in the next game away to championship chasing Crumlin Star.

FT: Rathfern Rangers II 4 Malachians II 3

MOM - Gerard Crossey