Ballinamallard United v Glentoran
Saturday 8th April, 3pm.
On Saturday afternoon, we travel to Ferney Park in our first post split match.
This will be the fourth time we have played the Mallards this season. Even in the context of the past two seasons our record against United has been particularly poor as we have not won any of the past four meetings!
In our last meeting, we went down 0-1 at the Oval in January to a Ryan Mayse first half goal. In our last visit to Fermanagh in December a late Jay Magee consolation failed to prevent a 2-1 defeat, one of only 2 away losses under Gary Haveron. This match – for the second consecutive time at Ferney Park – swung on a controversial Steven Gordon red card when the game was scoreless.
In October, a Ciaran Caldwell equaliser secured a 1-1 home draw. So, a definite improvement against this opposition is needed on Saturday!
Ballinamallard are 2 places and 10 points behind us so an away win is essential as we continue to pursue the goal of a place in the UEFA Europa League playoffs.
Manager Gary Haveron said: “Nacho starts the first of his 3-game suspension so we’ll be without him at Ballinamallard. I have to thank the club for all the hard work in the appeal and for getting the 6 games reduced. I still think 3 is harsh but the club presented their case and 3 is certainly better than 6, so thanks for the Chairman and Board for their efforts. Calum Birney is still struggling with a bit of a knee problem but after a scan it isn't as bad as first feared and hopefully Calum will still be able to play a part in the remaining games.
On the plus side, we have Moko and Stevie Gordon back from suspension and Eric Foley available for selection. It’s a game we can go into with a bit of confidence having won our last 2 games. Also with Dungannon and Ards playing each other something has to give there, so we must make sure we capitalise by looking after our own result first and foremost. I want us to finish the season as strongly as we possibly can and with 7th place offering a play-off place for European football then we must do everything possible to put ourselves in the mix and keep our season going as long as we can.
I hope we can give our loyal fans who travel to Ballinamallard something to enjoy on the trip home. Enjoy the game”.
