Optimism For Young Shams Despite Defeat

Mals Shamrocks opened their league campaign with a trip across town to Cherryvale to take on Sparta Belfast on Saturday but came away on the wrong end of a 5 2 scoreline following a scrappy game.

With a new youthful looking side the Mals kicked off and started brightly with Storm and Small winning the early midfield exchanges and pushing forward. Small dragged a shot from outside the box wide of goal and Hillen also went close. The Mals early endeavour was rewarded just eight minutes in when a quick pass from Small found Hillen in the clear and the striker drew the keeper before calmly slotting the ball passed him to give Mals an early lead.

Within minutes it could have been two as McAllister used his strength and pace to get on the end of a long ball from McCaughey. The Sparta keeper raced from his goal and McAllister chipped the ball over the keeper but also unfortunately just over the bar. Hillen then got on the end of a pass and also lobbed the keeper and was very unfortunate to see the ball rebound off the post.

Sparta could have been three down by this time but this let off seemed to waken them up and they equalized from their first real attack of the game. A cross from the right was only partially cleared and when the ball broke to a Sparta forward he smashed home much to the delight of the home support.

Sparta then proceeded to dominate the next twenty minutes leading up to half time. The Mals back line coped well with the attacks but problems came when Sparta won throw ins or corners as they were physically bigger and stronger then the Shams side. Sparta went in front when one of their players connected with a long throw and they further increased their lead from their best move of the game when after an exchange of four passes their winger cut in and drilled a shot passed Soupie in goal.

Neill was becoming frustrated with things and was lucky not to go in the book for a dangerous tackle although overall the game was played in a good spirit. McLaughlin and McConville combined well just befire half time and almost threaded a through ball to Hillen, but the no nonsense Sparta defender got back just in time to clear. With Small and Storm working over time in midfield it seemed Mals were coming back into the game as half time approached only to concede a fourth right on the half time whistle. Shiels got back to make a fine block but from the resulting long throw the ball hit several players before ending up in the net.

The second half began as the first had ended with Sparta having most of the possession but Mals digging deep to get a foothold in the game, and looking dangerous on breakaways. McCaughey won several important challenges and Gallagher cleared anything that he missed. Neill started to come more into the game and was unlucky not to reduce the deficit when the Sparta keeper just got to the ball in the box before him. Ryan then came on and did well and Mckay replaced the injured Shiels.

Another corner and a free header made it five for the home team before Mals got a reward for their efforts. McConville made an enterprising run up the right side going passed several players before playing a one two with Storm and then being fouled as he approached the penalty area. The free kick was played in to Mark Hillen who used strength to hold off a defender before swivelling and firing home for his second goal.

Storm then almost got his name on the scoresheet curling a shot just inches passed the post having been teed up by McAllister. Sparta had not finished yet and almost incresed their lead hitting the bar on one occasion and only for Soupie to make several good stops. Indeed despite conceeding five the keeper could not be blamed for any and the score could have been worse if it had not been for him.

So the game came to a close with the Mals having drawn the second half but losing to the better side on the day on a 5 2 scoreline. However there were quite a few positives to take from the game. Soupie had a good game in nets, McConville and McCaughey both did well at the back, Storm and Small both gave their all in midfield and Hillen up front deserved more than his two goals for his efforts with young Ryan impressing late on. Plenty of positives to take into this weeks first home game which is against League favourites Bhean Mhadagin. Up the Mals !

FT: Sparta Belfast 5 Malachians Shamrocks 2