Chapman eyeing Carrick revival
LEE Chapman believes the league table doesn’t show the full story of Carrick Rangers’ season.
The newly-promoted side claimed their first home win against Dungannon Swifts at the weekend.
A first-half header from Daniel Kelly secured the victory, ending a run of four straight defeats.
They remain 10th, with nine points from their 11 games.
Chapman, however, feels they have been playing better than results suggest.
“With our performances this season, I think we have deserved more than what we have got,” the midfielder said.
“It’s a tough league because, for a lot of our boys, it is their first time playing at this level.
“You make one mistake and you get punished.
“You can play well for 89 minutes, but one minute can lose you a game.
“I think we are now coming into a run of games where we can pick up a few points, and we should be aiming for that.
“It is good to get that started.” In a game of few clear chances, the winner came in the 26th minute. It owed much to James Ferrin, who joined Carrick from Dungannon in the summer.
A free-kick was played to the defender, who held off Dylan King and dug out a cross which Kelly headed in at close range.
Chapman admitted it was a hard-fought three points.
“It has been a difficult run of games — I think we have been playing well but just not picking up the points,” he added.
“So to finally get another win is good.
“It was a hard-fought game, Dungannon fought for everything and didn’t make it easy at all.
“I think you could see that near the end — we just had to take 1-0 and try to defend our lead, because it was a tough game.”
Dungannon’s best chances fell to Daniel Hughes and Michael Carvill, but both times goalkeeper Aaron Hogg saved well.
Swifts boss Kris Lindsay had targeted this fixture as one his side needed to take points from, and he was frustrated at the result. Lindsay said it could not be dismissed as another off-day for his players.
“I think it’s easy to say that — I’ve been saying that quite a lot recently, and I can’t keep saying it,” he admitted.
“We need to learn and learn quickly.”
CARRICK RANGERS: Hogg, Ferrin, Surgenor, Rodgers, Thompson (Neale, 80), Kelly, Chapman, Faulkner, Cherry (Anderson, 82), Nixon, Keke (Smith, 61). Subs not used: Nicholl, Loughran, Magill, Hassin DUNGANNON: Morgan, Lowe, Byers, King, Teggart, Clucas, Smyth (Taylor, 83), Campbell (Gallagher, 66), Carvill, Waide (Patton, 61), Hughes. Subs not used: Byrne, Redman, Wilson, Coyle
Referee: Shane Andrews (Comber)
Man of match: Daniel Kelly
Match rating: 4/10.