Ballinamallard manager Gavin Dykes says that Saturday’s encounter against league leaders and champions Crusaders is the type of game that his players should be relishing.
The Mallards put an end to an unwanted six game losing streak last Friday night when they drew with Ards and while Dykes acknowledges the difficulty of this week’s clash, he feels it is one that they should be looking forward to.
“It’s not an easy one this weekend against Crusaders but it is a great one to have. This is the type of game that I call a free one, no-one expects us to get anything from it. Crusaders are by far the best team in the country and everyone wants to play against the best teams, I know I always did, and you want to test yourself against their better players. It is a challenge for our lads to see how they can do. They (Crusaders) have always struggled a wee bit at Ferney Park and hopefully this Saturday will be no different,” he commented.
Ballinamallard will go into that game on the back of the draw with Ards but having led three times through an Adam Lecky hat-trick, Dykes was disappointed not to have come away with all three points.
“We should have taken all three points. It has been the story of our season, I’ve always said we would create chances and score goals which people thought was going to be our problem and we were really good going forward on Friday night. However, we conceded goals after individual mistakes. It’s hard to watch and it’s sorry and painful for the players because when you get yourself into a winning position you should have the experience to see it out but we don’t at the minute. We have to try and cut out the individual mistakes,” he added.
Lecky’s performance though did please Dykes and he admits he is going to be a big loss when he leaves for Australia in January.
“He has been fantastic and it’s an awful shame he is going although I might have had a problem trying to hold on to him in January anyway as there is a lot of interest in him. He is big and powerful but he has great technique for a big man and he can finish.”
The Mallards boss was also impressed with Johnny Lafferty and he is hopeful that he can maintain that level of performance.
“I thought Johnny Lafferty was very good. He knows himself that he hasn’t hit the highs that we expect from him but he was outstanding the other night in the midfield role against Ards,” he commented.
Dykes has already stated his intention to strengthen the squad in January but one player who won’t be at Ferney Park in the New Year is Gary Armstrong who will return to Sligo Rovers. Dykes though is hopeful of retaining Ryan McConnell.
“Gary Armstrong is injured and will be going back in January and Ryan McConnell and myself will suit down next week. I’m hoping that he will stay. I think he has done well and I think he can do even better. He’s only 21  and we haven’t seen the best of him yet,” he stated.