On Saturday we welcome the Mallards to the Oval for their first visit of the season and our first meeting since the league opener back in August. On our visit to Ferney Park we were 2-1 due to a double from Curtis Allen. Nothing less than three points will suffice this time with Ballymena breathing down our necks and Ballinamallard currently four points adrift of Carrick at the bottom of the table.
David Clarke of Ballinamallard United: “Curtis Allen’s controversial winner at Ferney Park on Matchday one is perhaps symbolic of the misfortune Ballinamallard United have suffered in the Premiership since. Whilst earning a first point in the next home game against Cliftonville, Ballinamallard completed the first round of fixtures having lost to every other team including, critically, fellow strugglers Warrenpoint Town, Ards and Carrick Rangers. That vital first win eventually came and importantly it was home to Carrick. However, the schedule was unkind and there followed consecutive defeats against the top 5 before picking up only the third result of the season with a home draw against Warrenpoint. Remaining positive, the team is only 3 wins from safety so, with half the fixtures still to play including Glentoran twice in the next 7, a run of good results in December & January will help keep Ballinamallard well in the mix”.
Manager Gary Haveron said: “Although we lost at Seaview last week I was very encouraged by the performance and expect us to build on it. I think the Crues are still the best team in the league but we matched them for fight, aggression, we weren’t bullied by them and if we’d put away a couple of the chances we created I think we would have won it. We need to produce that sort of fight and strength every week, no matter who we’re playing. I also thought the impact of Moko and Calum – 2 of our more experienced players – was very telling when they came back while Nathan slotted back in like he’d never been away. .
Nathan will be out on Saturday after a head injury in training on Thursday night but he should only miss one match. He’s gutted and I’m gutted for him because he was bursting to get back after his last injury. The impact of losing players like Nathan, Dylan and John McGuigan to long term injury has been serious because I think players like those three will be the cornerstone of the Glentoran team for a decade if they keep developing and stay injury free. They train brilliantly and look after themselves really well. Same with Robbie, Eoghan and Corey who are only 21, while Bobo is 20. Also Tre Sterling had a great match for the U20s in the holding midfield role – his favourite position - on Wednesday night and hopefully he can establish himself there.
Curtis and Knowlesy are available after suspension and come into contention. Ross did some light running on Thursday but it’s too early for him. Tiarnan also trained but we need to give his hamstring a bit more time.
A real bonus is that Willie Garrett is back in contention. His attitude and aggression in training has been second to none since he started back and he’s lost none of his pace. Now he’s built up from 30/45/70 minutes to a full 90 for the U20s this week and he’s scored a few goals as well. He’s raring to go and desperate to play so he may come in this weekend with Nathan out.
We know we need a win and a convincing performance this week to build on the improvement at Seaview. With the panel available I’m confident we can do that and with the likelihood of a full squad available sometime this month I’m confident we can get back to more consistent winning ways.”
The Board of Directors at Glentoran Football Club would again request that all supporters travelling to the Oval by private car consider the local residents when deciding where and how to park.