Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DALE IS DAD’S CAPTAIN MARVEL
Malone junior handed the armband for first time and leads by example in win..
There was a mix-up in their defence for each of our first two goals so to go in at half-time level after being two goals down was a big boost.
“We were the much hungrier side and even when we were two goals behind, I thought our performance was very good and the heads did not drop.”
Saturday marked the start of a tough run of games for the PSNI, who face the league’s top two teams Larne and Dundela in their next three matchdays.
“It’s the start of a testing run of games,” admitted Malone, who insisted his side were thinking positively.
“We have put in our best performances against the strongest teams in the league and in cup competitions against sides from the top flight.
“You can’t afford to be carrying any players in these sorts of games and the players here have stepped up with their performances in these fixtures.
“Everyone has been singing off the same hymn sheet and working their socks off, and that was the case on Saturday – that was no fluke.
“We look at every game as a potential to get more points.”
PSNI have now picked up 13 points from their last seven league games but, having lost their opening five matches, are still keen to continue climbing the table from their current ninth position.
“It’s a run that is still fresh in our memory,” added Malone. “All the players are aware of how tough that run at the start of the season was and they are all determined not to fall back into that.
“We know that we are as good as any team in this division and when we play the way we want to, we are better than most.
“These games coming up against Dundela and Larne in the next few weeks are games where we are expecting, rather than hoping, to pick up points.
“If we can replicate Saturday’s performance, we are in with a great chance.”
Next up for PSNI is a trip to highflying Dundela in an all-belfast affair on Saturday, with a 2pm kick-off at Wilgar Park.