Conor McDonald and Ballinamallard’s James McKenna clash during Friday night’s Danske Bank Premiership match at Milltown.
After Linfield last night Ballinamallard host Portadown on Saturday.
Both sides will be looking to address their heavy defeats last Friday night, Ballinamallard at the hands of Warrenpoint and Portadown against Crusaders.
The Mallards have three home games now, something of a relief for them, particularly after their bad run of form in away games.
The statistics show that the Ferney Park side are not good on the road this season. Their goal difference is -27 and amazingly their away goal difference is -27.
They have four away games left this season and manager Whitey Anderson knows his side has to pick up points on the road.
But on Saturday it’s the comfort of Ferney Park to host the Ports in the second of their three home games in a row.
“Portadown will be hurting as well after their defeat last week and they will be looking for a way back against us,” said Anderson.
“By the looks of it they seem to be struggling a little at the back after losing their right back and not having Keith O’Hara for a while,” said the Ballinamallard manager.
“But no matter who they have we will have to lift ourselves and put in a real performance if we are to get something out of this game.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to be at home for three in a row. We must really up our performance after our poor performance on Friday night.”
Anderson reflected on that performance saying Warrenpoint were excellent.
“I feel sorry for the large crowd of Ballinamallard supporters who travelled there on Friday. They are owed an apology for that performance.”
Hot shot Liam McMenamin is still suspended for the visit of the Ports, but Grant Hutchinson will be back for Saturday.
Full backs Colm McLaughlin and Chris Crilly will be glad to get two games over them coming back from injury before the face Portadown and should tighten up the home defence.
Striker Anthony Elding, who has been out for over two months, played for the Reserves on Saturday and started last night against Linfield and should be in the reckoning for a place against the Shamrock Park outfit.
Anderson believes if he can keep this squad injury free now until the end of the season they will pull away from the relegation zone.