Ballinamallard United manager Whitey Anderson has called on his players to grasp the opportunity on Tuesday night and seal their place in the Wasp Solutions League Cup final.

The Mallards face Balymena United at Ferney Park and Anderson knows that chances like this don’t come along too often.

“It may be the only opportunity that this group of players have to get to a final. If we can get off to a good start and get the early goal and get the crowd behind us then that could be the catalyst for what could be a very good night at Ballinamallard.

“We know that we are going to have to be at our best but now that we are in the semi-final we genuinely feel that we can make it to the final and that’s what we want,” he said.

With the Ferney Park outfit looking to make history, Anderson has also urged all local football fans to come out and get behind his side at Ferney Park.

“Not only are Ballinamallard in the semi-final of a senior cup competition but it is actually taking place on their doorstep. It would be great to see a good local support because at the end of the day it is not only good for Ballinamallard but it is good for local football as Ballinamallard are flying the flag for the Fermanagh and Western area in the Premier League and there are a number of players in the squad who have played for various clubs in the Fermanagh and Western,” he stated.

The Mallards boss believes that Ballymena enter the game with the favourites tag but he feels that home advantage and a large home crowd roaring the Mallards on could be the key in taking them through to the final.

“It’s a home fixture and that is the most important thing of all. As far as the game is concerned I don’t see there being a whole pile in it but Ballymena would be clear favourites for me. They are the team that have been in two senior finals in two years, they are very experienced and are an Irish League club a whole lot longer than we are but I’m just hoping that the home advantage can be the thing that gets us over the line and into a final. I’m confident that my players can get a result on Tuesday but they are going to have to play at the top of their game and be fully focused and committed right from the start. I believe that if we can play to what we are capable of, and with a home venue and the crowd behind us, that 12th man can get us over the line,” he said.

This crop of players have continued to take the club to new heights in recent years and Tuesday night will be another but Whitey stresses that while there is great excitement at the club ahead of the game, for the management players, the sole focus is on winning a game of football.

“It is another milestone in the history of the club. We were in the Setanta Cup last year and the players are giving the supporters something else to think about with the dream of getting to the final. For everybody around the club it is a great occasion but for the players themselves it is another game of football. It’s a semi-final, it’s a chance to get to a final and we’ll allow other people to enjoy the occasion. We’ll be concentrating totally on getting the result and getting to the final, that’s what it is all about for us.” Ballymena were beaten in last year’s Irish Cup final by Glenavon and Anderson is only too aware of the quality they possess in their ranks.

“They have players who can hurt you. Boyce and Tipton have goals in them, big Allan Jenkins their captain is a real leader and you have the likes of Mark Surgenor and Gary Thompson who will score goals. They were in an Irish Cup final last year and they will want to make it to the final,” said the Mallards boss.

But he is targeting a fast start by his side on the night.

“What we are going to have to do is get out of the blocks quickly. They’ll be coming down from Ballymena and I’m sure they will be well prepared but we are at home and it is a cup semi-final and at the end of the day we’ll be doing all we can to make it through to the final.”