Ballinamallard striker Ryan Campbell admits he has never been involved in a turnaround that could match the Mallard’s current revival.

Club morale was at rock bottom at the end of October with the team adrift at the foot of the Championship table after a run of one point from nine league games.

A Campbell goal against HW Welders at Ferney Park proved a pivotal moment of the season, and it sparked a comeback that few saw coming. The Mallards went on to win 2-0 that day, and have since put together a run of only one defeat in ten.

“I have never been in a side that went on such a long losing streak and then turned around like we have. It has been some transformation and I have never been involved in that before,” said the experienced striker.

“It was a new team at the start but we maybe should have gelled before we did, but you can see now that everyone seems to know their job. It is working far better and we are more solid and there are not as many individual mistakes.

“Everyone has more confidence and has started to be more alert on the pitch, whereas before when we were getting defeat after defeat everyone’s head was down. Everybody has a new lease of life with a few wins under our belt.”

The latest league win means the club now have a realistic chance of sneaking into the top half of the Championship table before the division is split in half, and if they can achieve that and keep the winning run going then the season could yet produce unexpected success.

“We have been thinking about getting into the top half after other results going our way on Saturday,” admitted Campbell.

“Loughgall has Larne and with Larne getting beaten by Carrick they will not want to lose again so hopefully they will do us a favour.

“It’s up to ourselves then to beat Ballyclare so it is all to play for. It would be a great achievement after the bad start we had. After that, if you keep on a winning streak then you could maybe push for that third spot to get a promotion play off.”

Ryan has played a huge part in recent results. The striker has scored in each of his last five games and now has 13 goals for the season.

“It is going well for me at the minute and hopefully it keeps going,” he said. “The training has been brilliant with coaches Craig and Stevie, and on a personal level I’m happy with everything and hopefully the scoring keeps going.”

At 37 years of age most footballers have hung up their boots, but ‘Rocket’ is turning back the clock and reckons there are plenty more goals to come.

“I might be a wee bit stiffer in my recovery at times, but in general I’m not too bad,” he revealed.

“Since I got married and had children I have been looking after myself better and that has helped me. I’m not running about mad anymore and that’s a good help!”

The next opportunity to continue his scoring streak will come against PSNI on Saturday in the Irish Cup, and having already scored against them this season, he is hopeful of another Ferney Park win.

“It is a good chance to get into the next round, and it’s great to get drawn at home. I know we beat them 3-0 in the league but it will be a different story in a cup game. I got two that night, and another two would be nice!”