Ballinamallard manager Gavin Dykes has his sights set on over taking Ards in the Danske Bank Premiership table but at the same time is aware of what is going on behind them in the table, especially following Carrick’s win over Ards last Saturday.

The Mallards go into this Saturday’s meeting with Cliftonville at Ferney Park sitting level on points with ninth placed Ards and nine points ahead of eleventh placed Carrick while having played a game less than both.

“Carrick had a great result at the weekend and we are aware of that but we have an opportunity this weekend to go above Ards and that’s where we want to get to while trying to stay as far ahead of Carrick as we can,” said Dykes.

All Ballinamallard can do though is focus on their own games and this week they take on a Cliftonville side who are third in the table.

Dykes though feels that his side have been unlucky against the Reds in their previous meetings this season and he is confident that if the Mallards produce a performance then they can get a result.

“Cliftonville are a good side, in fairness to Gerard (Lyttle) they play it the right way, they get it and down and pass it out. In our two games so far we haven’t had much luck against them.

“We were beaten 2-1 at home when we had a man sent off for no reason at all and then we missed a penalty and in Solitude they scored in the 96th minute with the last kick of the game.

“We don’t fear them, I’ve said before we don’t fear anyone when we are at our game, and although we know it will be a tough game, the boys are in good form. I’m told we have never beaten Cliftonville at home so hopefully we can go and put that right this Saturday,” he added.

Dykes will be without defender Ryan McConnell who is still feeling the effects if a knock sustained against Glenavon last month while he believes the game may also come just too early for Ryan Curran who has been carrying an ankle injury.

“Ryan McConnell had a scan so we are waiting on the results of that and Ryan Curran mightn’t make it but we’ll wait and see how he is. It is the same problem with the ankle that he has had and it just needs a rest so we’ll just wait and see what the physio says. I’m hoping though that Johnny Lafferty will be alright and Shane McGinty has a knock but he should be fine,” commented Dykes.

The Mallards boss though is keen to get Curran out on the pitch and feels he could forge a good strike partnership with Josh McIlwaine.

“I’m looking forward to getting him into the eleven as I think him and Josh can form a partnership together. The 25 minutes I seen the two of them together against Coleraine gave me great encouragement.”

Ballinamallard have three league games between now and the end of the February with Saturday’s game followed by an away game against Glenavon and a home clash with Ballymena.

Dykes accepts that these are three tough games but he is hopeful of picking up points from them and put the Ducks in a strong position as they head towards the split in the league.

“There are no easy games in this league. We have Cliftonville at home and then away to Glenavon and home to Ballymena so it is two home games and our form at Ferney Park has been fairly good and we have done well against Glenavon. Hopefully, if we go out with the right frame of mind we can get something out of Saturday’s game but we have to be at our best,” he said.