Friday 11th February
7.45pm Kick Off
Its first v second in the Danske Bank Premiership tomorrow night as we welcome Linfield in what’s being billed as the most important “Big Two” match in well over a decade.
Since the sides drew 1-1 at The National Stadium in the Boxing Day fixture, Linfield have been on a mixed run of form.
They began 2022 with a resounding 6-1 win over Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park and a comfortable 4-0 Irish Cup defeat of Lurgan based Mid Ulster League side Oxford Sunnysides, but defeats to Larne in both the County Antrim Shield Final and following Round of the Irish Cup have left them with solely the League Title to complete for this season. A 2-2 draw away to fellow challengers Cliftonville and a heavy 3-0 defeat at mid table Coleraine had seen them lose grip of first place, before a narrow win against Larne at the third time of asking on Tuesday night saw them return to the summit on goal difference.
While Linfield’s goal scorer in the previous game, right back Trai Hume, has moved on to Sunderland in the January transfer window, manager David Healy has used the time to significantly bolster his squad; Rangers duo Jake Hastie and Chris McKee, St Johnston forward Eetu Vertainen and Cardiff midfielder Kieron Evans all arriving on loan deals, while defender Ben Hall from Falkirk and free agent midfielder Mich’el Parker arrived on permanent deals, along with a more local signing in midfielder Ethan Devine from Championship side Knockbreda.
Healy rang the changes for the midweek Larne game, with defender Hall and Kirk Millar dropped to the bench and Kyle McClean, Ahmed Salam dropping out of the squad completely from the Cup defeat. Healy was boosted by the return of key midfielder Chris Shields to the substitutes bench, and he could be in contention to start this game after getting a 20-minute run out on Tuesday.
Mick McDermott: ““Although Tuesday evening’s draw at Shamrock Park was not the result we all wanted, I thought the players were impressive in their performance, commitment and efforts considering we played with ten men for over sixty minutes. The sending off definitely impacted us but the boys rose very well to the challenge. We dominated the second half, created multiple chances and got the late goal through great work from Rhys, Shay and finally Conor with the finish. But as we all know, this game can be cruel. One late lapse and a miscontrolled pass ends in the back of our net and we ‘ve dropped two points.
So, as with every week, we move on to the next game with the visit of Linfield to the Bet McLean Oval tonight. Derby games are always special for the fans and this next game holds more importance than in recent years as its first v second at this stage of the season. We are thoroughly looking forward to the game with a packed Oval on display. Our fans will no doubt be our twelfth man as they have been so often in recent months.
Supporters can be certain that the players are ready for this one and that they relish these types of games. A competitive ‘Big Two’ is vital for our league and we know we are more than capable of performing well and collecting three points.”
As always at home matches, we strongly request that supporters respect the rights of the local residents by parking well away from housefronts in the immediate locality. There is plenty of available parking at the Holywood Arches Heath Centre.
Tomorrow’s match sponsor is Upstream
Founded in 2011, award winning Belfast based funder Upstream, works closely with business owners – large and small - to understand exactly what funding they need both in the immediate term and strategically, into the future. Focussing on building long term relationships, the experienced team at Upstream work hard to partner with clients to ensure that they meet their goals and achieve their ambitions. The team focus on structuring solutions which fund the growth aspirations of every business from the supply chain right through to the end buyer, whilst adding value through the whole collaborative process.
Upstream now has access to unlimited growth capital which is being deployed through a locally managed process. Having recently become part of the Cubitt Trade Holdings (Europe) LLC group of companies, Upstream aims to be the independent working capital funder of choice in 2022 and beyond.
Website: https://upstreampositive.co.uk/
Telephone: 028 9099 9450
Our match ball sponsor is Woodstock Motorparts, the no.1 motor factor in East Belfast.
Located in Ravenhill Business Park on the Ravenhill Road, Woodstock Motorparts is your first choice for replacement parts, oils, accessories and valeting products for every car.
Full contact details are:
Unit 8,
Ravenhill Business Park,
Belfast, BT6 8AW.
Telephone: 028 9045 5576
email: sales@woodstockmotor.co.uk
