REACH FOR THE SKIES

Tipton tells his battling Town to ‘have a go’ against Reds

MATTHEW TIPTON will urge Warrenpoint Town to go for the jugular in today’s Tennents Irish Cup shootout with Cliftonville at Solitude.

The border club’s showdown with the Reds in North Belfast is one of only two all-premiership ties in the fifth round.

But while Town’s main aim this season is to steer clear of the relegation trapdoor and preserve top flight status, Tipton is also targeting a run in the blue riband competition.

“It’s a one off tie, so we’ll have a go,” he said. “We’ll throw bodies forward and look to score goals. That’s the way we’ll approach it.

“People say we have nothing to lose, but we have a place in the Irish Cup to lose, so staying in the competition is a big motivation.

“Our main aim is to secure a decent league position, but we also want a cup run and that’s what we’re focused on. Just because we’re playing Cliftonville who are fourth in the table, it doesn’t mean we can’t attack the game.”

Asked if Town, who lie 10th – three points above the drop zone – will go with a strong hand at Solitude, Tipton replied: “It’s the only way I know.

“We had a busy festive schedule but we didn’t change the team. I always go with a team I believe can win a game and Saturday will be no different.”

While Town have no wins in their last eight games in all competitions, Tipton took heart from a recent 3-3 draw at Linfield and narrow defeats to Crusaders and Glenavon.

“It depends how you look at it,” he said. “Yeah, we’ve no wins in eight games, but we drew at Windsor and prior to last week’s 3-3 draw with Ards, we played all of the top five.

“We were pipped by the likes of Crusaders and Glenavon, so there were positives. We have given a good account of ourselves and I do believe results will come. Ideally, we’d want to be at home against a lower league side in the cup, but it is what it is and I’m sure Cliftonville aren’t relishing us coming up there either.”

While Warrenpoint have scored 30 goals in 23 league outings to date, they have shipped 52, the second worst record in the league.

Tipton said: “We have the firepower to worry defences, but our goals against record is horrific, so we have to be a bit more disciplined. We have to get the balance right.”

Meanwhile, Warrenpoint insist in-demand striker Darren Murray, who has been linked with Linfield, Coleraine, Crusaders and Glenavon, won’t be leaving this transfer window.

Tipton said: “Darren has 18 months left on his contract and the board has told me nobody else will be going this window.”

POINTING THE WAY Tipton believes his men have shown form in recent weeks and, below, Town players after draw at Linfield