Mcconkey praises the resilience and spirit of his players
BALLINAMALLARD Manager Harry Mcconkey has praised the spirit and resilience of his players, as they fought back from a goal down and a man down to claim a point against Ballyclare Comrades.
It is the third time in the last four matches that the Mallards have come back from a losing position to claim something from the game, and Mcconkey has been delighted with the character shown by the squad ahead of Saturday’s trip to in-form Dundela.
“We are fighting for every ball, and in these circumstances that is all we can ask of the players,” he said.
“We all know it is three points we are chasing, not one, and in that sense it’s a bit disappointing, but it would have been a lot worse if we had collapsed and folded.
“We did exactly the same against Newington, and we showed great spirit against Warrenpoint, and I can’t ask any more from the boys.
“We just need some decisions to go for us and perhaps a little bit of composure in the box. It is easy to knock players when things are not going well, but these boys are a resilient bunch, and we are all looking forward to getting a real good go at Dundela on Saturday.”
Despite the positive nature of the display against Ballyclare, the Manager admitted the final score was not what they had been looking for.
“It was very mixed feelings,” he acknowledged after the final whistle.
“Going into the game, we wanted nothing less than three points in order for us to keep pace with the top three or four, and the way we started the game I thought we were dominant on the ball, although we didn’t work their keeper enough.
“After putting so much into the game and looking dominant in possession, we were 1-0 down and having to chase it, and that only got worse when Shane [Mcginty] got sent off before half time.”
Stunning late save
At half time the Manager opted to throw caution to the wind and keep two strikers up front in a bid to get back into the match, and only a stunning late save from the Comrades’ goalkeeper prevented Ballinamallard from turning the game on its head.
“We regrouped at half time and spoke about what we had to do,” explained Mcconkey.
“We felt it was very important that the two front men made sure they occupied their back line and were prepared to play on the shoulder, and to give us good energy up there and allow us to stretch them, even though we were a man down.
“That is exactly what they did. It was important the midfield players worked hard to cover for that extra man, and I thought Richard Clarke was excellent, and the goal from John gave us a real lift.
“It was an open game because we weren’t prepared to sit back. We were being very brave, but we knew we were going to be vulnerable to the counter attack, especially in wide areas.
“They tried to exploit that, but I thought we defended resolutely and worked so hard, and they didn’t create many chances although Lynch did make one good save.
“When we got on the front foot we caused them problems, and their keeper will not make many better saves this season than the one he made from BJ [Banda].
“I knew it was a moment that was a real killer for us, because I believe we had them on the rack at that time.”
Ballinamallard know they will have to show more of that fighting spirit this Saturday if they are to emerge from their trip to Dundela with a victory.
The Belfast side defeated runaway league leaders Loughgall last Saturday, and are currently level on points with second-placed Annagh United in the league.
“They are coming off the back of a great win against Loughgall, and not many people have done that this season,” acknowledged Mcconkey.
“They have a new Manager in Paul Harbinson and coach in Craig Mcclean, and I know the way they work.
“They will have them motivated and Dundela will be looking to push on after Niall Currie gave them a good start to the season, but we also know that we can go to their back yard and give them a real good run for their money.”
The Manager will be hoping his injury crisis starts to clear up ahead of the match, with doubts remaining over a number of squad members.
Shane Mcginty will be suspended for three games following his Red Card, but Mark Stafford is expected to return and Ryan Morris is available again.
“We wish that things would clear up a bit quicker for us,” admitted the Manager.
‘Frustrating’
“Caolan Mcaleer is still well away from a return and that is so frustrating because he is an incredible loss for us. Mark Stafford was on the bench on Saturday, and we are hoping this week we will see him back in full training, having done part training last week.
“We were delighted to see Peter Maguire get through the game because he is not 100 per cent. Lee Warnock will be lucky to be back before Christmas, but Ruairi Sludden seems to be recovering from his back problem.
“Ronan Mckinley has a thigh problem, and we are hoping it isn’t as bad as first seemed and he can maybe do a bit this week.
“Patrick Ferry’s foot injury is clearing up well, and although he came off early on Saturday and is not 100 per cent, he is very close to it,” he added.