Sunday, 7th December, 2014
Team: Erika Browne (Capt.), Eimear Crean, Thea Edwards, Zoe Ellingboe, Naomi Flynn, Ellie Forrester, Issy McCarville, Aly McGrath, Ali O’Keefe, Alexia Ridge-Sanchez, Andrea Roche, Katie Spain
A bitterly cold Sunday afternoon in Malahide Castle saw United host Wicklow Rovers in this MGL U14A league match. A depleted squad for the home side with just 12 of the team available for the game. Naomi Flynn kindly agreed to play in goals first half and in front of Naomi were a defence of Ali O’Keefe, Zoe Ellingboe, Aly McGrath and Issy McCarville. The midfield comprised of Alexia Ridge-Sanchez (who was making her last appearance for Malahide before her pending move abroad), captain Erika Browne, Katie Spain and Thea Edwards. Up front saw Eimear Crean and a fit again Andrea Roche returning to action. Ellie Forrester started on the bench. Malahide had a strong wind behind them in the first half and as expected dominated proceedings with good passing football. O’Keefe at left back had a terrific half with her tackling and distribution. Zoe and Aly continued to marshal the team from defence while Issy showed great composure and tenacity in the right back position. Our midfield were dominant. Katie and Erika were biting into tackles while Thea and Alexia got down the wings at every opportunity. Andrea and Eimear made it difficult for the visitors to get out of their own half. If anything Malahide were guilty of not talking on enough shots at goal with the strong wind behind. Ellie came on and chased every loose ball and had a couple of attempts saved by the home keeper. With 30 minutes gone Wicklow broke and United midfield were caught out and Naomi ended up taking the ball out of her net as the first meaningful Wicklow attack saw them take the lead although the strike was very good from the visitors number 7. From the tip-off Malahide charged forward and continued to bombard the away goal. In added time at the end of the first half, the away keeper handled the ball just outside the area to concede a free-kick. Erika, as she did last week, unleashed an unstoppable effort into the roof of the net much to the delight of her team mates and home support. So 1-1 at half time.
The training starting to show
The half time team talk emphasized the need to play the ball on the ground as the wind continued to pick up. Ali O’Keefe volunteered to play in goal second half and Naomi moved into left full back slot. In spite of the conditions, Malahide played arguably their best football of the season. Playing from the back they passed well and clocked up 10 efforts on goal in the second half including two efforts which clipped the woodwork and two others that were well saved by the Rovers keeper. In spite of that, Wicklow had only 2 attempts in the second half and scored both times! Both were down to home team errors but nothing could take away from United’s team performance in the second half where they dominated possession. With Tuesday’s practice sessions starting to show through in the girl’s team performance, they passed, played the ball into the space and whipped in crosses. Thea in particular had a storming second half down the right hand side. Aly McGrath again was a picture of calm when on the ball with intelligent use of possession. Zoe was outstanding and her ‘girl of the match’ performance shows how her defensive abilities and awareness have improved week over week as she swept up whatever the opposition through forward. Erika and Katie were all action in the midfield and dominated the center of the park against physically bigger opposition. Alexia’s passing and movement was good while Ellie, Eimear and Andrea each had attempts on goal after great movement straight from the practice ground.
With 20 minutes to go, Aly picked up a knock and the team had to re-shuffle. Katie Spain dropped back into central defense alongside Zoe, Naomi moved out to right back with Issy left full. Andrea moved back into central midfield where she had a blinder and Ellie and Eimear continued to put the visiting defense under pressure. With no subs, the girls continued to attack and create chance after chance but to no avail. So in spite of losing the game, the team take heart in our best performance as an 11-a-side squad. Girls Academy Director George Munnelly was spotted in the crowd taking notes (and also helped to take down the nets, so thanks George).
A special word of thanks to Naomi Flynn and Ali O’Keefe for taking a half in goal with Sophie absent. Thanks girls and well played.
Farewell
As mentioned, Alexia leaves us now after joining the soccer in Malahide United girl’s soccer academy a few years ago and the girls and coaches made a small presentation to her at last Tuesday’s training where she got a great send off. We wish Alexia and her family all the very best in the new venture and if ever visiting Malahide in the future, bring your boots Alexia as we have your ID card!
Emma was still under the weather for this match while Alex was away and Ellen, Emer, Sophie could not make it either.
This Tuesday, December 9th, is our last training session before Christmas and we welcome Sharon Boyle from the FAI who will participate in the training session so hope to see as many of our squad down as we can from 5:30 to 7pm.
Next weekend will see our last game before the Christmas break and we are at home Sunday afternoon in Malahide Castle. More to follow on this per text as usual on Friday next.
Also, check out the new Malahide United (www.malahideunited.ie) website where all match reports will be posted after each weekend. The website is still a work in progress but looks great and we hope to increase usage under Girls section with communications to parents, league tables, fixtures etc., in the near future.