James McKenna slides in to claim the ball for Ballinamallard in their game against Glebe
Saturday’s game against Dungannon Swifts could be one of the biggest of the season for Ballinamallard United, chasing a top six position in the Irish Premier League.
The Ferney Park boys kicked off their season against the Swifts at Ferney Park in August and from 2-0 down came back to earn a well deserved draw.
Manager Whitey Anderson knows how important this one is to the team and club.
“Of our last four games we have lost three, but I can’t complain about the way the players have performed. They have worked hard in training, but they haven’t been getting the rub of the green.”
Anderson knows this game is vitall and his side must get something out of it if they are trying to push into the top six.
Dungannon have lost only two games in the last six and have hit a little bit of a run.
“They seem to be playing very well at present and have a good squad of players this year and are now getting good results.”
But Anderson feels it’s not about Dungannon, but about his own boys.
“If we work the way we worked against Cliftonville two weeks ago then we will give ourselves a good chance.That is all I can ask for from the players.”
“We must keep making those chances and if the performance is right then hopefully the result will look after itself,” said the Ballinamallard manager.
He knows his players are creating enough chances in the 90 minutes, something they showed againist Portadown and Cliftonville, but they are not getting the rub of the green.
“We must keep creating them and I know we can get there. If we can get that first goal it will give the boys a great lift and I know they can do it the way they are playing.
“Sometimes you get the rub of the green and sometimes you don’t. Hopefully we can turn things around this week and take those chances,” said Anderson.
At the end of the day Ballinamallard have four games left before the league splits and it looks like Coleraine, Portadown and ourselves are fighting for those two places.
“The bottom line is that we have to get a few points on the board. I think Portadown will pick up points in the final four games so it is important that we do the same.
“All we can do though, is look after ourselves. There is no point worrying about anyone else. It is important that we try to win on Saturday. We have to look after ourselves and not worry about other results. We can’t dictate what happens anywhere else.”
Anderson went on to reflect that if someone had said at the start of the season that they would be fighting for a top six position before the split they wouldn’t have believed them.
“I know the players are frustrated at not getting the right results recently. They are keen to put that right and have worked really hard in training.”
James McKenna returns to the squad for the Dungannon game after suspension while teenager Gary Phair will also be included after his execellent debut against Cliftonville.
“Saturday is another starting point for us. The players have a real desire and determination to make that top six. They know they have to keep putting in those performances.
“I know they can do it because they have already given some fantastic performances.They deserve to make it and play the final games of the season against the top teams in the league,” said Anderson.