Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
A SECO COMING
The lesson learned from Steel and Sons defeat can help Derriaghy get better of Newington this time round
Newington v Derriaghy CC Saturday, November 27, 2021
JORDAN MALONE is confident Derriaghy can claim the scalp of Newington at the second time of asking when the clubs clash in the fourth round of the Irish Cup this weekend.
The two sides locked horns just over two months ago in the Steel Cup, with the Ton running out 2-0 winners at Solitude on that occasion
Summer recruit Malone was suspended for that tie, but watched from the stands and saw enough to convince him the Ton – who went on to secure a third Christmas final berth in four seasons – are there for the taking.
“We played Newington in the
Steel & Sons away, they beat us 2-0 but we’d a disallowed goal, that was at
1-0 at that stage, and to be fair, I think it was pretty even,” said the Derriaghy defender.
“So I think we kind of owe them one, we’ll definitely be right up for it and we’ll be pushing to get into that fifth round because obviously all the big boys come in then.
“It’s a massive game for us. I think if we get the attitude right, there’s not much to cause us any problems, if we have the right attitude, I fancy us to beat them.”
Indeed for Malone, mentality is the big one for Derriaghy. While they should have no problems getting themselves up for Newington, a few divisions above them in the NIFL, he admits complacency is a weakness the Seymour Hill outfit need to address.
A host of Owen Forsythe’s squad came up through the youth ranks together at Linfield, the likes of Jack Smith – on target with a brace in Saturday’s 3-0 Intermediate Cup win over Crumlin United – Andy Foster, Jason Craughwell, Curtis Brown, Ryan
Leitch and
Ethan Taggart,
So while there’s a natural affinity and camaraderie there, he feels the fact they got it easy most of the time during their early years means they’ve been guilty of carrying that attitude into some games this season.
“I think we’ve been fairly strong this season but I think our biggest problem is ourselves sometimes,” ex
Malone. “Sometimes I think our team, we just think we can turn up for matches without putting in the work.
“But yesterday, that was one of the ones where our attitude was right and it showed what we can do when we are all at it.
“We all used to play together at Linfield at youth level so we’re kind of used to that winning and just turning up, but obviously in the Intermediate and higher leagues, it’s much tougher than the youth ones.
“We’re all still quite a young bunch, so we’re trying to get that mindset to put in the work.”
Looking ahead, Malone is adaplained mant silverware is within the club’s grasp, with Killyleagh a week tomorrow standing in their way of a Border Cup final.
“Obviously we’ll be looking to try and win that” said Malone. “And in the league,, it’s a bit mad, it’s a bit up and down because some teams have played five games, some have played 14. You know East Belfast and Crumlin Star are going to be there but for us, we’re looking to win everything, we’ve got the Border to look forward to.
“I think we’ll be right up there in the league, and then we’ve got the Clarence and that after the new year.”
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I think if we get the attitude right, there’s not much to cause us any problems, if we have the right attitude, I fancy us to beat them.