Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Sykes will be a Whyte hot signing
Baxter insists Jeffrey’s Sky Blues have got just what it takes to stay in title race
CRUSADERS boss Stephen Baxter believes Ballymena are equipped to sustain a country challenge to Belfast’s recent dominance of the Gibson Cup.
It is now 17 years since a provincial club last won the league title when a talented Portadown side managed by Ronnie Mcfall prevailed in 2002.
Since then, Belfast heavy hitters Linfield, Glentoran, Cliftonville and reigning champions Crusaders have have all lifted the crown multiple times.
Three points separate this year’s top three with surprise package Ballymena sandwiched between David Healy’s Blues at the top and the Crues in third.
And while neutrals are tipping Linfield and Crusaders to go toe-to-toe for the title, Baxter believes David Jeffrey’s Sky Blues can last the pace.
“I’ve no doubt they’ll stay in the race,” said Baxter (inset above), who saw the Crues inflict a first defeat in 20 games on United on New Year’s Day.
Paul Heatley struck a late winner to secure a dramatic 3-2 win at Seaview to propel the Crues back into the title mix.
“Ballymena have been on a roll and looking at them, they’ll fancy giving it a charge in the second half of the season,” added Baxter. “They have an excellent shape, excellent players and a nice mix of experience and talented young players like Kofi Balmer. They have fabulous players like Johnny Mcmurray and Cathair Friel up front and big Adam Lecky has been a surprise package. “They’re in the League Cup final and sitting second at this stage of the season so you can be assured they’ll be there or thereabouts.” While Ballymena are digesting a Seaview setback, the Crues can reflect on a fruitful festive period of five straight wins in the league. It was the perfect response to a dismal 4-1 loss to Linfield at Windsor Park and 1-0 League Cup semi-final defeat to Ballymena in early December.
Four weeks ago the Shore Road men were a distant 10 points off the summit.
“The so-called slump is over,” said Baxter. “The response’s been excellent and I’m really proud of the players.
“We were miles behind a few weeks ago so to get back into the title race is good – but that’s all it is and we won’t be getting carried away.”
BAXTER believes new signing Reece Mcginley is an “exciting” addition to his squad’s attacking armoury. The Northern Ireland U19 winger has joined on loan from Rotherham. Baxter added: “Reece has been exceptional in training.” NORTHERN IRELAND winger Gavin Whyte has backed Mark Sykes to excite Oxford United fans after the Glenavon midfielder joined the League One club yesterday.
The 21-year-old, who has joined The Us on a two and a half year deal for an undisclosed fee, could make his debut in Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie at Brentford.
Longtime friend Whyte, who joined Oxford in the summer, believes Sykes has all the attributes to be a major success at the Kassam Stadium.
The former Crues forward said: “I think
Oxford fans are going to like watching him.
“He plays with freedom, makes things happen and is a really good player.”
Sykes, who has been in blistering form for
Glenavon this season, is “really excited” to further his career in England.
The Northern Ireland U21 star said: “Obviously it is a step up to full time football but I have played over 140 games in competitive football and have learned so much in that time.
“I was really impressed by the manager, by the plans the club have and I can’t wait to get started.”