Jeffrey: United must demonstrate hunger to reach the next level
his wake. His cross was rapped against the crossbar by Snoddy, but the rebound fell to Whyte, who touched home a beauty.
Linfield roared from the traps after the break and Stephen Lowry should really have worked the goalkeeper when he was presented with a great chance by Burns, but McChrystal got back to block. Then, Callacher’s penetrating pass sent Millar hurtling through the middle, but Jensen was out in a flash to intercept.
The international arena erupt- BALLYMENA United boss David Jeffrey has challenged his players to prove they are no one season wonders.
Following their League Cup success, fourth place Premiership finish and European qualification last term, the Sky Blues still haven’t emerged from the starting blocks in the current campaign.
A thumping 4-0 hammering by Glenavon at the weekend, plummeted Jeffrey’s boys to eighth place in the table, having accumulated a mere 13 points from 12 league starts.
They have the chance to get back on track tonight against Glentoran in the quarter final of the Toals County Antrim Shield, with Jeffrey demanding a reaction after Saturday’s debacle.
“Did we achieve too much too soon? Probably,” said Jeffrey. “There is no question we had a great season, which landed the League Cup and our place in Europe.
“Achievers
consistently achieve, time on time. The mantra is very simple. (Assistant manager) Bryan McLoughlin and I have one long term goal — that’s to win the league title. That hasn’t changed.
“To do that, you have to be winners more often than you are losers. However, there are certain things that continue to bug us.
“I’m now asking people in key areas, can they step up to the mark like they did before. That’s the challenge.”
Jeffrey insists the players owe themselves a performance after the Mourneview Park display.
“I informed them they were on the verge of embarrassing themselves with their first half showing,” he added. “In fairness, they produced a better second half with only 10 men — so I left Lurgan on a positive note based on the display over the second 45 minutes.”