Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
COLIN MILLAR
Dismissal a shock to the system for Mcilwaine but he’ll reflect on it and return
win over Ballyclare just their third clean sheet of the campaign.
“The last time the Welders played them they conceded eight goals,” added Smyth. “They are a dangerous team and there were signs of that on Saturday but our aim was a clean sheet – that’s how we set up first and foremost, to make ourselves hard to beat.
“The last full season I had at the Welders, Newry beat us on the final day of the season to secure the playoff spot and they were promoted but our ethos was built on a strong defence.
“The main focus is on ensuring we don’t concede because when we attack we can do if incisively, and on
Saturday we created a lot of opportunities.
“Ballyclare played really well for the first ten minutes but after that we bossed it and grew into the game.
“I hate conceding goals more than anything else – that low is worse than the thrill of scoring and if you don’t concede then you won’t lose.”
The basis of a strong side is there at the club – evidenced in prolific striker Matthew Fergusaturday’s son netting twice in a strong team performance.
“Matthew had two great finishes and that’s what he does,” said Smyth.
“We played Ross Arthurs in the role we used to have for Davy Rainey – he’s played out on the left and Ross is a very clever player, he can change his roles
SEE PAGE 16 with ease and you don’t need to tell him when to drop back and when to push forward.
“Ross scored a cracking header on Saturday too and then from the right side we have Luckasz Gwiazda, who is a machine and has real work ethic.
“The midfield trio of Davy Graham, Ryan Deans and Scott Davidson run the show they’re three completely different players.
“Deansy does the dirty work, he is defensive but can play a pass, Davy Graham is as technically good as any player in the Championship and Scott Davidson makes runs into the box and causes havoc.”