Manager’s programme notes
Posted : 22nd October 2022
Today we will face a huge challenge from a top of the table Larne team that will arrive here full of confidence and determination to maintain their promising start to their league campaign.
We were delighted to bounce back from the huge setback of a home defeat by Glentoran, to record a very pleasing midweek home win against Glenavon.
The Glentoran game was hugely disappointing for everyone associated with the club but there's a long way to go in this league campaign, so we will continue to take each game on a one game at a time basis and aim to climb our way back up the league table.
In midweek, Glenavon led 2-1 in the second half but our players showed great character and spirit, to fight our way back into the game to score the two goals needed to secure a valuable win.
Joel Cooper and Eetu Vertainen scored two excellent goals to ensure we recorded a vital win which we will aim to build on in today's follow up league game.
We will welcome Michael Newberry back to the squad today, following his midweek suspension. We will assess the squad following the Glenavon game for any further injuries that will impact on today's game.
Robbie McDaid limped off towards the end of the midweek game and he will be assessed, along with Stephen Fallon and Niall Quinn who picked up knocks in the recent Cliftonville and Glentoran games. Our longer-term injury absentees, Ben Hall and Jordan Stewart continue to receive treatment and we hope that we will have them available to the squad within a matter of weeks.
We have a busy schedule of fixtures ahead and no doubt, we will rely on the full strength and depth available within our squad, as we compete on all fronts. As well as our league campaign, we have on the horizon a League cup quarter-final tie at home to Annagh United, a County Antrim Shield semi-final at home to Glentoran and a SPFL Trust trophy fourth round tie away to Kelty Hearts.
I was delighted to attend Niall Quinn's recent Testimonial event and I want to wish him further success with all of his upcoming fundraising efforts.
We know our large home support was disappointed by the outcome of the recent derby game against Glentoran but we've bounced back from similar setbacks in the past and we will do so again. We need our support to stand behind us, as we aim to compete on all fronts over the coming weeks. Today's game will be a formidable challenge and we will really need the vocal backing and encouragement of our large support, to help drive us on to the positive result we want from today's game.