Ballinamallard captain Richard Clarke has pledged to try to make the fans ‘dream again’ as they take on Ballymena at Ferney Park on Saturday with an Irish Cup semi final place at stake.

For the third time in their history and the second year in succession Ballinamallard will feature in the last eight with another Irish Cup final only two victories away.

As the only remaining team from outside the top flight the Mallards are the outsiders, but the captain is hoping they can upset the odds on Saturday.

“We are under no illusions that it will be a difficult game because they are the Premier League side and they have major quality, but it’s a one off game and we are at home and we will prepare well and do our homework on them,” he said.

“We will be well equipped and we will try to make people dream again, and maybe get back to another semi final. When the draw was made we were looking for the likes of Dungannon and Ballymena because of where they are lying in the table.

“I think if you ask Ballymena they would be delighted with their draw and we are happy with our draw, but we will be looking to repeat the heroics we did last year and get ourselves another semi final which would be amazing.”

Ballymena’s league form this season has failed to match the highs of the previous season, and they currently sit in eighth place in the Premiership without a win in their last eight league games.

If Ballinamallard can get their noses in front then the recent insecurities of the Premiership side could re-surface, but Clarke knows they will be determined to salvage their season. “It is definitely something we can work on but they picked up a good result away at Solitude on Saturday and I’m sure they will be buoyant after that,” he said.

“The Irish League is a competitive league this season and I think Ballymena have suffered a wee bit because the other clubs have strengthened well and they have stood still a bit after such a good couple of seasons.

“They probably know themselves that they have underperformed this season but this is a major opportunity for them to keep their season alive and keep their trophy hopes alive.”

In contrast, Ballinamallard go into the match boosted by a dramatic 6-4 win over PSNI on Saturday. Their first league win in five matches lifted them back to second in the league table, and Richard believes they can now approach the tie with renewed confidence.

“I can’t remember a game like it in a long time,” he admitted.

“We looked dead and buried to be honest and I thought we were out on our feet and confidence was low. Thankfully the rocket man (Ryan Campbell) stepped up again. He has produced so many big goals for us over the last few years and Saturday’s equaliser was massive, and then Maysey popped up at the right place at the right time.

“It just shows you that you can take nothing for granted. The PSNI are fighting for their lives and they probably felt a wee bit aggrieved that they left with nothing, but hopefully that can kick start us again and give us momentum on Saturday and on into the league after that.”

While Ryan Campbell remains Ballinamallard’s main goal threat, they will face a familiar striker in the opposing ranks on Saturday.

Adam Lecky was a fan favourite during his time with the Mallards, and Clarke knows he will be a big threat to their hopes of victory.

“We know all about him and what he is like,” he admitted. “You only have to look at the size of the transfer bid that was put in for him. That is the type of quality they have in their squad. I think that this season Ballymena haven’t played many games with him and it shows because he is their main threat and their main target man and we will have to be on our toes to stop him.

“He is a top, top player and it is no coincidence that the so called bigger clubs are coming knocking for him. We have to be aware that there is plenty of other good players they have in their team, but Adam is one to look out for.”

At the quarter final stage of the competition last season Ballinamallard travelled to Dungannon to knock out their local rivals after a penalty shoot out. That win, and the subsequent matches, have given the squad valuable big game experience that Clarke believes can help them this time around.

“It gives you belief,” he said. “The cup has been good for us and it has given us that hunger and desire to push on for another good cup run and push on in the league as well.

“Beating Dungannon on penalties was a major coup for us, and the cup run gave us confidence as a squad. That has carried through to this season and helped us push on for promotion, and we will be looking to get a win on Saturday and keep the momentum going.

“There is no doubt the league is the main priority and we have to get ourselves up the table and push Portadown all the way and see where that takes us, but the cup is a welcome distraction.

“The final last year was such a great day and such a great occasion for the club and there is that feel good factor about the club again. Hopefully that will bring the fans out on Saturday and will give us some hope and some confidence. We will be trying our best to do what we did last year and try to get to another semi final.”