Confidence Boost For Mals

Mals skipper Conor McHugh, referee IaIn Hall and Rosario captain Paddy O'Rawe

In atrocious weather conditions at the Stadium of Sand a well balanced, resolute Malachians side got back to winning ways with a deserved win over Rosario. After three difficult away games, Mals clearly enjoyed the return to home comforts and it was a winning start for the new management team of Saunders, Collins and Mullan. There was a defensive re-shuffle with Collins dropping back alongside Hackett, who was steady and secure throughout, Kavanagh on the right and Sharpe, back to his best, on the left. In midfield there was a welcome return from suspension for captain McHugh alongside McAtee with man of the match Gazza Reilly and Lowe on the flanks, causing havoc all afternoon. Faulkner and Moore started upfront with the backup of McDonnell, returning from injury on the bench. Substitutes Dalton and McDonagh made up the squad. There was also a welcome back to the Stadium of Sand for Scott Boyde, bravely defying the elements, to record events for the NI Football website

With swirling gusts and drenching downpours it was never going to be pretty and that’s exactly how the game started with Mals playing directly into the wind. Fifteen minutes in and Mals were unlucky not to be in front when Reilly battled his way through to a one on one with away keeper Gerard McIlhearn only to see his well struck effort crash back off the crossbar.

Despite the wind against Mals were having the better of it with good, crisp passing football and they went in front just on half-time. Referee Iain Hall awarded a free kick to Mals on half way to which Rosario forward Niall Gardiner took great exception and saw yellow for his trouble. When the dust from this finally settled Collins clipped the free forwards just into the box where wily old fox Moore, back to goal, delightfully scooped the ball round and into the corner of the net totally mesmirising away keeper McIlhearn in the process, and Mals went in to the heat of the half time dressing room in front.

HT: Malachians 1 Rosario 0

Rosario opened the second period brightly without really threatening Stitt in the home goal whilst at the other end a free from Moore almost played Collins in. Collins was then booked for a late challenge on away centre forward Chris Cochrane on the touchline, but it was never a dirty game , just physically well contested with referee Hall doing an admirable job despite the trying conditions and despite trying backchat from the away side.

Twenty minutes in and Mals should have added a second to make it comfortable. Live wire Moore headed goalwards to see a great one handed parry from McIlhearn but with the ball falling nicely for Faulkner. The affable Mals new boy looked certain to score but with his proud dad on the sideline all set to lead the celebrations, the chance was missed and the game remained close. It was the last involvement for Faulkner who had led the line well throughout as he was replaced by the blistering pace and directness of McDonnell.

The surprising level of dissent to the referee from the visitors continued and centre half Danny Johnston was next to see an un-necessary yellow from the referee as despite the wind at their backs easing considerably, Mals continued to dominate in terms of possession and territory, especially down the right flank, without adding to their lead. Just minutes after his first yellow, with ten minutes to go, away centrehalf Johnston picked up his second yellow for a mis-timed challenge, somewhat harshly it must be said, but referee Hall had clearly taken enough from the visitors and Rosario were down to ten.

There were late half chances from McDonnell and Lowe but still to their credit ten man Rosario refused to go quietly and, as McDonagh replaced man of the match Reilly late on, there was still time for one final goal mouth scamble at the Mals end before the ball was eventually cleared to sighs of relief from the home sideline and the game was finally won.

The victory was much deserved and much needed and there was a nice balance to the side today with a clear resolute, but calm, determination right through the squad. The win provides a much needed confidence boost for the club who will face Kilroot next week in the Clarence Cup and as the smiling, soaked supporters and officials hurried away for a reviving hot toddy at the Titanic Bar at Frames, Malachians will continue to hope for better times ahead. Up the Mals !

FT: Malachians 1 Rosario 0