Warrenpoint’s John Boyle and Ballinamallard’s Liam Martin in action at last Friday Night’s Game
Ballinamallard United manager Whitey Anderson knows it is a difficult time for his first team, particularly with the injury list mounting.
He relates to nine senior players receiving treatment for injuries this week at the Ferney Park medical room.
That was compounded on Friday night when central defender Nigel Beacom had to be carried off the pitch at Warrenpoint after a clash with keeper Stefan McCusker. Then McCusker had to do likewiswe when he clashed with captain Mark Stafford while rushing out for a ball on the edge of the penalty area.
“We had started off so well though,” said Anderson. “I felt the first 25 minutes we were the better side, but I knew we needed a goal. I always felt that was very important.”
“Then early in the second half we gave away a penalty and scoring from that gave the home side a real lift. From then on it was an up hill task,” said the Ballinamallard supremo.
“We really are threadbear at the moment. We’ll hopefully get a few back by the end of this week for our game against Coleraine.”
“But we are sticking together in this. We stil believe we can turn the corner. We all really want to fight to get out of this situation and we’re going to fight hard to stay here.
“But it is difficult when you are so depleted. Everyone knows we can move out of this and push ourselves up the table,” said Anderson.
They took on Institute last night, Tuesday, in the Wasp Solutions League Cup, with a very youthful side. Now Anderson mind is firmly fixed on Friday night and the visit of Coleraine.
“Our priority will be that game. You just have to look at Coleraine and where they were three weeks ago, right alongside us. Now they have picked up three wins and have crept well up the table,” said Anderson.
The Ballinamallard manager is naturally concerned about his backline and goals being leaked.
He has lost four centre backs and three left backs in the last month.
“We just can’t get a consistent backline and that is causing us goals,” he said.
Physios Eoin Donnelly, John O’Neill and Kevin Gilmurray are working non stop to get the players back playing.
“They are working so hard to get players back to fitness and I’m hopeful I might see one or two return for Friday night’s game at Ferney,” he added.
The good results against Coleraine are all in the past, according to Anderson.
“They will be coming here to beat us because they have had three wins in a row and they’ll be looking to make it four.”
“But when you look at it that could happen us so easily. All we need is that bit of luck to go with us and pick up a win. It could start a run like Coleraines’s. But we won’t worry about that yet, just getting the points on Friday night is the priority now,” he said.