Ballinamallard manager Gavin Dykes has asked for common sense to be applied when fixtures are being made.
Tuesday night’s re-fixture against Coleraine saw the Mallards face a second midweek away game in the space of five days and he feels that it is unfair on part time players.
“I listen to clubs saying we have a long journey to Fermanagh this week, well, we do journeys every other week. This last week lads had to get off work on a Friday evening to go to Belfast and they then had to get off work early on a Tuesday to go to Coleraine. There has to be a bit of common sense used to make it a level playing field. These are part time players who are not on huge money and who have actually lost money because many of them have had to leave work early to go and travel,” he said.
On the field, the Mallards continued with their improvement in performance but again finished up with nothing to show for it as they went down 2-1 to the league leaders. 
“That’s two massive performances over the last few days but we have got nothing out of it. They won a corner which was never a corner, it was a really poor decision and the ball then eventually ends up in the back of the net. We then give away a poor second goal from a throw in when we were attacking but we got back into it with Matty’s goal and we pushed on for an equaliser and I thought we deserved something from it,” said the Mallards boss.
On a positive note, the game saw a return to action for both Niall Owens and James McKenna with Owens starting and McKenna coming on midway through the second half.
“McKenna came on and it was great to have him in the dressing room again. He played 90 minutes on Saturday and we were hoping we wouldn’t have to use him but Ross picked up a bit if a strain and we had to bring him on.
“I also thought Niall Owens was really good, we know how big a talent he is and he is very important for us,” said Dykes.
However, not for the first time, Dykes was left frustrated by what he feels is a lack of protection from officials for his young star.
“I’m annoyed about the treatment that Owens is getting, he took a battering last night again and referees have to protect the best players we have in this league and I feel that isn’t happening.”
The big games continue for the Mallards on Saturday when they host Linfield at Ferney Park and although Dykes admits he may be down to the bare bones, he fully expects his side to competitive against the champions.
“It is a huge ask because of fatigue and we may be down to the bare bones as Hutchy picked up a strain and Ryan Curran did also while Jonathan Leddy dislocated his shoulder although it was popped back in and I’m hopeful he will be available.
The boys are tired, they have put in a massive effort over the last few days and Linfield will be hurting and they are a smashing side.
“Whatever team we put out though we would expect to be competitive on Saturday. We’ll expect a test but we will be up for it and we will have a go at it,” he added.