Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CHRIS SHERRARD GAULT STILL IN GAME TO WIN
By Another career high is Michael’s aim
MICHAEL GAULT is no stranger to being top of the league – and now he’s back in familiar surroundings he wants to stay there.
The man who won title after title as captain of Linfield, is now wearing the armband for Annagh United.
And, like cream rising to the top, he’s leading a side which is leading the other sides.
The Portadown outfit went top of the Premier Intermediate League at the weekend with a topsy-turvy, digdeep win over Queen’s University.
Ciaran Mcgurgan’s men led, were behind and eventually came storming back to win a pulsating encounter on the Tandragee Road 4-2.
That’s three league games and three wins for the Annagh – all a far cry from this time last season when they couldn’t buy a victory.
Now they’re chalking them up at every opportunity and the skipper couldn’t be happier.
Gault told Match On Tuesday: “We’ve won three out of three so we have to be pleased with that start.
“It’s down to a lot of hard work being put in by the players and management.
“We have a blend of youth and experience and competition for places which maybe wasn’t the case at all times last season.
“You need that to get everyone on their toes – it’s something I’ve certainly been used to in my career.
“David Jeffrey would be signing players in every window and you had to be on your game to stay in the team. That’s how it should be.
“It’s also great when everyone’s fit and flying which is the case at the minute.
“I’ve been frustrated by the niggly injuries I’ve picked up because you need to be fit to be at your best.
“But I’m feeling good at the minute so long may that continue.”
Saturday’s home fixture against Queen’s presented Annagh with a stiff test of their mettle and they passed it, eventually.
Scott Mccordick put them in front with 10 minutes on the clock but two goals in four minutes turned the game on its head and in Queen’s favour.
However, the first half was to throw up two more goals – both of them to United – with Mcdonald levelling and Taylor putting their noses in front at the break.
And the same man made sure of the points with six minutes left to play when he calmly found the back of the net.
“That was a very good result for us,” admitted Gault.
“We got off to a flyer but let them back into it and then went behind.
“Last season maybe the heads would have dropped at that point but credit to the boys they kept battling and got a great win. I think the penny has dropped because you can have the quality but you need to scrap and be prepared to fight for every single ball.
“That’s something that has been instilled in me whether it was at Linfield, Crusaders or Portadown – you won’t get too far without fighting spirit.”
This weekend brings a different kind of challenge for Gault in a competition he knows well.
Six times he won the Irish Cup with Linfield and he will find himself competing at the weekend at Rosemount Rec, who are playing in the competition as a club for just their second season.
That forms the backdrop to a campaign which is shaping up very nicely around the Tandragee Road.
And Gault said: “Ciaran (above) brought in some good players over the summer and they’ve slotted in well.
“With the squad we have we want to go on now and do well for the club.
“So far we’ve played some of the better teams in the division and done well against them so there’s no reason why we can’t stay up there. The quality in this league is really good – there are some excellent footballing sides in it.
“Queen’s played some lovely football against us on Saturday and I know they are coming off a very successful season.
“Banbridge Town under my good friend Stuarty King are the same and I’m sure there will be others who come through and surprise people.
“If we can be as competitive as we have been so far then you never know what can happen.” ANNAGH were the only team to pick up a home win at the weekend with those on the road having most to cheer.
Among those were Newington who went to Dollingstown and won 3-1.
Gavin Taggart netted a double and Padraig Scollay the other in a fine win for the Ton with substitute Gray on the scoresheet for the hosts.
Moyola Park had two-goal Michael Tolan to thank as they picked up a 2-0 victory on their visit to Lurgan Celtic.
Tobermore only needed a solitary strike by Conor Kearns to settle their game at Sport and Leisure Swifts.
The match between Portstewart and Banbridge Town always promised to be close-fought and so it turned out with absolutely nothing between them in a 0-0 draw.
It was also a stalemate at Holm Park where Armagh City held their visitors Lisburn Distillery to a 1-1 draw. An own goal put the home side in front at the break with the Whites claiming a share of the spoils thanks to Dugan’s goal in the second period.