Sunday, 8th February, 2015

Team: Naomi Flynn, Aly McGrath, Ali O’Keefe, Ellen Daly, Erika Browne, Zoe Ellingboe (Capt.), Issy McCarville, Eimear Crean, Emma Clinton, Sophie Rickard, Alex McLoughney, Andrea Roche

With a depleted squad Malahide United’s Under 14 girls’ team headed off to Enniskerry to take on the local side in the MGL league game for a Sunday lunch time kick off. 12 girls were available on a bright but chilly day for the game.

Sophie’s back four consisted of Alex McLoughney at left full, Aly McGrath and captain Zoe Ellingboe in central defensive roles with Emma Clinton at right back. The midfield consisted of Ali O’Keefe on the left side, Andrea Roche and Eimear Crean in central midfield while Naomi was right side. Up front Erika Browne and Ellen Daly led the attack.

Promising Start

United started well with Eimear and Andrea dominating the midfield. Sophie was using the ball intelligently from the back with short kick outs to her full backs whenever possible. Alex and Emma played the ball from the back well. Ali and Naomi were raiding the flanks while Erika and Ellen made the home defense work very hard.

The opening goal came when a good movement led to Naomi firing in a cross where Eimear Crean met is on the half volley to smash an unstoppable effort into the top corner. Certainly a contender for goal of the season and a great reward for a player who has worked tirelessly since Christmas at both training and during matches. What a great goal!

Dominance

Malahide continued to dominate and a great cross into the hosts goal mouth was scrambled away to the waiting Emma Clinton who fired home with aplomb for her first goal of the season. What a terrific way to open your account for the season and just reward from Emma who is only recently back from injury.

Malahide continued to press and any counter attacks were dealt with by the well-organized back line which included Issy McCarville allowing Sophie to mop up any threats.

Number three came before half-time with Erika Browne adding to her impressive goal tally for the season. Erika, who has been moved into a forward role in recent weeks alongside Ellen, Eimear and Ellie, has benefited from this more advanced role and her first half showing in particular yesterday was terrific as she broke through on goal and finished with another fine strike.

Work Rate

The second half did not produce as many goals and United, with only one substitute this week, were tiring but remained comfortably in control. Naomi had a great second half with her running in possession and passing into the space where Erika and Ellen ran onto the ball to continue to cause havoc in the Enniskerry penalty area. Malahide’s fourth goal came from a free kick. Erika unleashed a right footed effort which appeared to take a deflection or two before nestling in the net. Needless to say Erika is claiming and rightly so! Andrea continued her terrific work rate in the middle supported by Emma and Ali. Zoe and Aly Mc marshalled things at the back. Enniskerry pulled a consolation goal back late on despite the efforts of Alex and Issy but the result was beyond doubt and Malahide chalked up an impressive away victory in the league.

Final Comments

Ellie, Thea and Anna were all unavailable while Katie continues her rehab from a knee injury and we look forward to having them all back ASAP as we build on recent good performances. Thanks again to Vincent McGrath for the terrific photos from the game.