Midfielder Shane McCabe says that keeping a clean-sheet has to be the priority for Ballinamallard going into this weekend’s clash with champions Crusaders.
McCabe missed last Friday night’s 3-3 draw against Ards due to suspension but should come back into the side for the visit of the Crues and he knows that are going to have to produce a strong defensive display if they are to get anything out of the game.
“Crusaders are maybe not just firing on all cylinders in relation to performances but at the same time they have still been getting results. They can turn it on when they need to or they can bring three players off the bench that can make the difference. 
“They have serious firepower so we know we are going to be up against it and it will require a serious defensive shift. They are direct and play off the second ball so we are going to need our defenders, midfielders and goalkeeper to stand up and be counted more so than any other game. 
“It is a big test but as a footballer these are the games you want to play in and it is a good game for some of the younger players to test themselves against the best players in the league. It will be backs against the wall but if we can get a bit of possession, get it out wide and get it up to Lecky we can cause teams problems. I would say though our priority will be to get a clean-sheet on Saturday and we’ll take whatever after that as a bonus,” said the experienced McCabe.
The Mallards did stop the rot against Ards in terms of putting an end to a run of six successive league defeats but their achilles heel has been conceding goals and that cost them all three points at the Bangor Arena.
“I was suspended for the game but the message for the boys going up the road was to stop the rot. I was in the situation before with Glenavon when I first played for them when I think we went 12 games without picking up a point so it was crucial not to be beaten last Friday night. However, once you are in front three times you would like to have got the three points. Conceding three goals was disappointing but the boys are working hard and the top priority is to shore up the defence as a team and that’s not just the defenders and goalkeepers but everybody on the pitch. We have to stop conceding goals,” he added.
One of the bright sparks of the Mallards season has been the form of Adam Lecky who has bagged nine goals. The striker will leave for Australia in January but McCabe is hoping that he can net a few more goals and help Ballinamallard to more points before he goes.
“We are going to really miss Lecky. When you think of the players that Gavin might have got a phone call about in January, Lecky would definitely be one of them. He’s adjusted to being centre forward, he’s got nine goals and hopefully he can get us a few more points and few more goals before he goes.”