O’Malley: It was a big relief – News

Iron defender Mason O’Malley reflected on Wednesday night’s away win against Halifax Town FC, a busy week just past, and looked ahead to tomorrow’s National League home game against Bromley.

Opening up about that mid-week away win, Mason added: “I don’t think you can really describe the three-point feeling, especially since it was away. It was a great relief, three big points were needed and an all-round good feeling.”

The result against Halifax also ended the Irons’ poor away record with a first away win since December 2021: “It’s a load off our shoulders and as Michael Nelson said, it’s a box ticked now. But we want to do it again and return to Glanford Park for another three points.”

O’Malley then assessed Wednesday’s performance: “For me I was in a different role than usual and that was challenging, especially in difficult conditions away from home. We fought as a team, we fought for each other, we defended well and we took our chances when they came.”

He elaborated further on his move to midfield, adding: “It was definitely something I’m not quite used to, I’ve played there once or twice so it took a bit of time to adjust and get used to it but once I got on the swing I felt pretty comfortable in it. Of course you feel like you’re drifting to where you would normally be, but there are times when you have to fill that space on the left.”

O’Malley then spoke about his partnership in midfield with Elliott Whitehouse and Tom Pugh, saying: “I think we’ve shown good energy in that midfield. Elliott came in and Pugh on the other side gave us good energy and I feel like we fought well in midfield.

On the prospect of two wins, he said: “It’s a huge chance tomorrow, we got the three points on Wednesday night and hopefully we can do the same at the stadium tomorrow.”

Mason also spoke about the opposition: “Last time it got a real tough fight, they got their goal and from there it was a real fight where they sat and defended. But now we are back on our place and want to get three points.”

Next, O’Malley spoke about his delight at returning to the team on Wednesday: “It felt good to be back with the team and getting minutes in my legs. Hopefully I’ve done enough to keep my spot for Saturday.”

The defender spoke about the importance of the fans this weekend: “They are so important and they really are the 12th man. There are times when you really need them, and they give you that little nudge and enthusiasm. Hopefully there will be a lot of them on Saturday to help us get across the border.

Finally, he spoke about the acquisition and the relief it has brought to the players: “I think it has strengthened us. The takeover was well timed with three points. I think there’s just an all-round good feeling in the club at the moment.”