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Match Preview: Newry City v Glentoran

Thu, 18/04/2019 - 23:37

Friday 19 April 2019 kick off 7.45pm.

 

On Friday evening we travel to South Down to the Showgrounds, where we will face Newry City for the third time in 2019 and the fourth time this season.

Newry have recently moved off the bottom of the table with excellent back to back comprehensive wins over the teams nearest to them in the table, Ards (3-0) and Warrenpoint Town (2-4). They can’t catch Warrenpoint in ninth place but are now three points and a slightly better goal difference clear of Ards who visit Institute on Saturday. So, a win on Saturday could put them in a very strong position to avoid an automatic drop to the Championship and make the promotion/relegation play off against either Carrick Rangers or Portadown. So, they have just as much to play for as we have as we make our push for the Europa League playoffs.

This season we’ve had two home wins and an away draw With City. In September, during our strong opening run, we had a comfortable 4-1 win with goals from Curtis Allen, Robbie McDaid, Marcus Kane and the now departed Dylan Davidson. In January, also at home, we had a 2-1 home win after coming back to win the game with late goals from Darren Murray and an own goal.  Our last visit to the Showgrounds was an unimpressive 1-1 draw. In a very even game, Robbie McDaid equalised a Mark Hughes deflected opener but neither team really looked like winning the match in a drab second half.

Mick McDermott: “At Ards last week there is no doubt we were the better team throughout the match. We created numerous chances but didn’t capitalise on those opportunities. Obviously, it’s pleasing to create the number of chances we did, but we will be working hard as a staff and group of players to improve our composure in front of goal. Our attacking players have shown me already how prolific they can be, they just need to think positively moving into our next fixtures.  On the flip side; we haven’t allowed many chances for our opponents to score – our whole team has worked tirelessly to pull together better as a defensive unit; we will demand that continues into our final fixtures.

For Friday night the squad is all fit, healthy and raring to go. Only the long-term absentees – Ross and Joe – aren’t available so we’ve got a strong squad to pick from. No one here should need any extra motivation with the play offs in our own hands, so I expect the team to be strong, positive and effective i9n Newry and for the other two remaining regular league games”.

Travel Advice to Newry Showgrounds:

From the A1 take the A2 exit, signposted Newry, Warrenpoint and Mourne Coastal Route. Then take the A2 towards Newry. On reaching the edge of the town centre you will cross two small bridges, after which you turn right towards Warrenpoint (Kilmorey Street A2). At the next roundabout take the second exit into the Greenbank Industrial Estate. The take the first left just before the Newry Shamrocks Gaelic Football Ground. You will reach the entrance to the Showgrounds further along on the right. There is a fair-sized car park at the ground, which is free, otherwise, there is plenty of street parking available nearby.