Sunday, 14 September 2014
The team travelled to Stepaside to play on the ‘all-weather’ pitch against Enniskerry Girls. Last year, with 9-a-side, Malahide lost a closely fought contest by 3-2 but yesterday the girls played really well to win comfortably.
Promising Start
Emma Clinton played in goal first half and used the ball well from the kick outs using her fullbacks when possible. Alex McLoughney at right full back and Ali O’Keefe on the opposite side showed for the ball on every opportunity and stared many fine moves through the midfield of Alexia Ridge-Sanchez, Thea Edwards, Erika Browne and Emer Kenny. The interplay, passing and movement that has been the focus of our training sessions of late with Peter and George was evident yesterday. Up front Ellen Daly and Andrea Roche worked hard and had some early shots which narrowly missed the target. Zoe Ellingboe and Aly McGrath looked well organised in central defence. Zoe marshalled the back line and timed her tackles to perfection while Aly again proved her terrific reading of the game with vital interceptions, tackles and distribution of the ball.
Breakthrough
The breakthrough came after 15 minutes when some neat football led to a great through ball from Alexia and Andrea showed great coolness to rifle low and hard past the onrushing keeper. A well-deserved opener for the visitors. Malahide continued to press and play some very good football and Erika made it 2-0 shortly afterwards after terrific work in the middle by Captain Emer Kenny. The ball fell to Erika who brushed aside tackles to fire home. Biggest cheer of the half came mid-way through when right full back Issy McCarville made a terrific headed clearance. Something we have been trying to get the girls comfortable with in training and at last Issy gave the text book execution much to the delight of the coaches. Her marking and tackling was also very good. Katie Spain came on to give the outstanding Kenny a rest and put in some great tackles in midfield. Eimear Crean and Ellie Forrester joined the attack and had some fine interchanges which led to Ellie adding a 3rd before half time.
Flowing Football
Second half started with Ali O’Keeffe going into goals with Emma Clinton moving in right back. United continued where they left off in the first period with good flowing football with good passing and movement. Alex McLoughney played left back in second half and performed well. Andrea and Erika added further goals with great effort. Emma again played very well in right back with great reading of the game and close marking and use of possession. Naomi Flynn and Aly started some fine movements down the left side and Thea was making plenty of bursting runs down the right flank with great crosses into the box. Eimear and Ellen showed movement in the forward line and perhaps goal of the game came when Ellen laid off a pass first time to the onrushing Erika to coolly slot home and complete her hat-trick.
Penalty
The home side pulled a goal back and were then awarded a penalty after Andrea was adjudged to have fouled their number 9. Ali O’Keefe made a diving save to her left to keep the hosts tally to 1. Alexia added a further goal to cap a fine performance after good work in the middle by Katie, and our last goal came after Naomi let fly with an effort which deflected of the unfortunate defender and past the keeper. Of course Naomi is claiming the goal! Zoe continued to call the shots in defence while Aly McGrath also ensured the midfielders were marking up.
Verdict
So our squad of 16 put in a good performance and responded well to last week’s game against Lucan. Particularly pleasing was the passing, movement and marking of our midfielders and defenders. It was much improved from last weekend but we will continue to work on these aspects.
Ella Griffin was unavailable after picking up a slight knock on Saturday in a game.
We look forward to continuing our progress at training this Tuesday evening at GANNON PARK from 6-7pm.
Thanks to all the parents who made the early morning trek out to the Dublin Mountains.
Team versus Enniskerry AWAY (16): Emma Clinton, Alex McLoughney, Aly McGrath, Zoe Ellingboe, Ali O’Keefe, Alexia Ridge-Sanchez, Thea Edwards, Erika Browne, Emer Kenny, Ellen Daly, Andrea Roche, Issy McCarville, Eimear Crean, Ellie Forrester, Naomi Flynn, Katie Spain