JARLATH: NO ERRORS

Ballymena v Crusaders

Tonight, 7.30pm

BY DARREN FULLERTON CRUSADERS defender Jarlath O’rourke has warned his team can’t afford any more slip ups if they are to be considered serious title challengers.

Stephen Baxter’s boys have lost their last two games – at home to Linfield and Carrick Rangers – which leaves them playing catch-up in the table.

Having dropped eight points ff the pace, O’rourke insists there is no room for error when the Crues travel up the M2 for tonight’s showdown against David Jeffrey’s Ballymena United at the Warden Street Showgrounds.

“We can’t afford to let the gap widen,” admits the 25-year-old full-back. “Hopefully, the league programme will go the distance of 38 games because we will now need everyone one of those games.

“If we get a full round of matches, it will give us the chance of reeling in Linfield and Larne. It would also mean we play the Blues again twice.”

O’rourke is under no illusions in terms of tonight’s challenge.

“It’s a really tough game, it always is at Ballymena,” he added. “We need to bounce back, especially after the defeat by Carrick Rangers at the weekend.

“We didn’t perform, The previous week against the Blues, we didn’t get the result our performance deserved.

“It could be argued we had an off day (against Carrick), but credit must be given to them, they played well.

“With no disrespect to Carrick we shouldn’t really be dropping points against them, especially at home. If we have any serious title aspirations, it vital we get back to winning ways against Ballymena.”

Jeffrey’s team approach the game burdened with worry. They were beaten by rivals Coleraine in midweek which meant the Sky Blues fell to their third successive defeat.

“Ballymena will be still stinging from their midweek loss,” added O’rourk. But teams at the bottom are capable of taking points of team at the top. It makes the Ballymena game more crucial.”

EXCLUSIVE

THIERRY HENRY could be confirmed as Bournemouth’s new manager as early as next week.

The Cherries have made an official approach to the Arsenal icon’s Major League Soccer club, CF Montreal.

Bournemouth’s hierarchy have decided 43-year-old Henry (above) is the man to succeed Jason Tindall, who was sacked two weeks ago.

Russian owner Maxim Demin is all in favour of appointing Henry. Acting boss Jonathan Woodgate will remain in the dugout at QPR tomorrow.