This game was decided after 30 seconds of the start when good movement from the right hand side gave Malahide's RW the opportunity to open the scoring.
MM defense were static and it looks like they are learning life in the top division the hard way. Mistakes in this league will punish you and this is what's happening at the moment. Again MM came into the game slowly with their 2 centre midfield guys working hard throughout the game however chances were hard to find with a Malahide side working their socks of as a team. Their work ethic during the game was admirable and they were working hard for each-other.
MM trying to push for an equalizer wasn't helped by David McGill being dismissed for a 2 footed challenge late in the first half. MM made a substitution at half time with Brendan Dawson giving way for Ian Roche. That was a tactical change from MM management team and obviously gave Merrion some edge in attack. MM was presented with a couple of chances that could have ended up in the back of the net only for Malahide’s keeper keeping them in the driving position.
Malahide centre half was also send off for a second booking offence and the last 20 minutes of this game were played in Malahide’s half however MM weren't able to construct any fluent attacking with their back four trying to hit David Lee with long balls instate of using the width and play MM RW that was a threat to Malahides defense all day.
MM defense looked solid at the back throughout the game however that was after conceding the first goal. MM have build a new team that will probably take sometime to gel together and it will be interesting to see MM's reaction next week against Belgrove.
Reliable man Stephan Gifford as per picture above.
