Whitey Anderson celebrates as the final whistle blows with Ballinamallard having secure some vital points
It’s another dog fight for Ballinamallard United on Saturday, this time against Dungannon Swifts.
But this time the Ferney Park side are in a stronger position after their excellent win over Coleraine last week.
That win will have buoyed the Ballinamallard players somewhat, but they will know they still have a mountain of work still to do and Saturday’s home game is an important step in that process.
Manager Whitey Anderson was delighted with the side’s double win last week, in the Wasp Solutions League Cup against Institute and on Friday night in the Danske League against Coleraine.
But he shouts a warning to his squad that they must not get carried away by that and must continue to improve.
“The wins mean there is a different attitude in the changing room. We’re now causing teams problems when we go forward but we have a long way to go and we’re only starting. We have to carry on that intensity and consistency in the game against Dungannon.”
Anderson said there was a good flow to his side in the cup game against Institute last Tuesday evening.
“The concentration levels were good and we worked hard to get the ball back. The whole team defended when we had to and it was the same last Friday night,” he said.
But he warned that Dungannon were would not be easy.
“Every game in the bottom six is a tough game. We’re all fighting for points and Dungannon are in that dog fight too. They were very unlucky against Ballymena last week and will prove difficult opponents for us.”
“It’s going to be a really tough battle. They are fighting for points too. It will be two nerevous teams playiing a very competitive game. But both teams are capable of getting the ball down and playing,” he suggested.
“We wil have to stick to our game plan again and work from the first whistle to the last. We must take this opportunity to pick up points and help our situation,” said Anderson.
Cathal Beacom and James McKenna both played in a friendly game on Tuesday night in Monaghan and could be included in the squad for Saturday.
Left back Jake Dykes looks to be back to fitness after an injury and another defender Leon Carters has an outside chance of making the Dungannon game.
Steve Feeney is also back training to make things a little easier for Anderson’s squad.