10MATCH A RICH START TO 2018

HILL STREET will continue to try and outscore their opponents as they chase glory on three fronts.

That was the message from inside the Lurgan side’s changing room as they continue their hunt for trophies.

Unbeaten in the league, Street sealed their place in the semi-final of the Alexandra Cup on Saturday to go with their slot in the last-four of the Mid-ulster Shield.

Driving their success has been a bloodlust for goals – they’ve banged in 34 in seven Division One games.

And, in total, they have scored an eye-watering 93 in 20 matches in all competitions.

Jay Gardiner is in his first season with the club and he told Match on Tuesday: “I’m loving it.

“There are some great players at the club, who could play a lot higher, but for various reasons they chose to remain with Hill Street.

“It’s a real family club and the atmosphere is fantastic – everyone pulling in the same direction.

“Davy [Wilson, circled] stresses to us if we keep clean sheets we’ll win matches.

“Scoring is our biggest strength and we’re going into games confident that we will get goals.

“We feel that there are very few sides who will outscore us, particularly at home.

“We haven’t played everyone yet and there’s a lot of away games to come so the key is to remain focused.

“Our attacking style cost us in the Junior Cup against Dervock when we left gaps which they exploited.

“That was a big disappointment because we had really hoped to go one better and win it this season.

“But that’s football and, particularly, cup football.

“But we’re in good shape in the league and still in three cup competitions so there’s a lot of football to play.

“I think last season was very similar to this in that we’re having to play catch-up in the league.

“Ballyoran have the points on the board so, for me, they’re in the driving seat.

“If it was the other way round, and we were 13 points clear, we’d be pleased.

“From our perspective, you’re playing week to week. It’s impossible to look any further than the next game because we don’t really know what’s coming up.

“So we just focus on the next game, whatever that competition or opponent is.

“It was nice to get another semifinal set up, the Shield will be great to play at Annagh again and the Marshall is a brilliant opportunity to test yourself against the top sides.”

Street set up their semi-final against Rectory Rangers in this season’s Alexandra Cup on Saturday.

A well-organised Caledon Rovers made life far from comfortable but Wilson’s men got the job done with goals from Gardiner and Steven Lawson.

They’ve got used to fighting on various fronts and after that cup triumph it’s back to the league this