Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CLARKE: WE’VE GOT NO ROOM FOR MISTAKES
BALLINAMALLARD UNITED midfielder Richard Clarke admits tonight’s clash with Cliftonville at Ferney Park is now a “must win’ affair.
The Mallards, stuck on the bottom rung of the Premiership ladder from day one, are rapidly running out of games and a return to the Championship is more a probability than a possibility at this stage.
Although they have managed only one win to date, they are still only four points behind 11th placed Carrick Rangers, which gives Clarke and his team-mates a little glimmer of hope.
“Our only chance is getting into the relegation play-off place, but we must reel in Carrick to achieve that,” said Clarke. “We know we have to start putting points on the board.
“The reality is, it’s a two-horse race between Carrick and ourselves for survival.
“We have 13 games left and they are now all cup finals. Yes, Carrick have played two games less, but they are against Crusaders and Glentoran, so we are also looking for a few favours.
“It means there is no room for error, starting with the game against Cliftonville.
“Barry Gray has got them into a position to challenge for one of the European places, so they’ll not be short in confidence.
“It’s up to us to meet the challenge head on. If we want to get out of this mess, we must start winning football games.”
Meanwhile, bullish Warrenpoint Town boss Matty Tipton has warned Glenavon to expect no hand-outs in tonight’s showdown at Mourneview Park.
Although Town are 10 points above Ballinamallard United in the league table, Tipton believes they are still not safe from the drop.
“We are certainly not free from the threat of relegation, far from it,” he said. “There are still a lot of game to be played and loads of points up for grabs.
“Our win last week against Ballinamallard was a big result, there is no question about that. To be honest, we have played better in games and lost. But we were in control for large parts.
“Glenavon will be another huge test. They had a great win over Linfield last weekend and, by all accounts, the score line flattered the Blues. So they’ll be buoyed up for this game.
“I’ve had them watched and I know Gary (Hamilton) has been at some of games, so the teams know each other. It’s a matter of who wants it most on the night.”
Striker Joe Mccready has left Coleraine and re-joined former club Limavady United.