Ballinamallard Manager Harry McConkey is targeting a first home win of the season when his side host H&W Welders at Ferney Park on Saturday.

The Ducks have bounced back from an open day thumping at Ballyclare with two wins and two draws, including last Saturday’s victory at Annagh United, and McConkey wants to go out on Saturday and build on that result.

“We would love to get the win at home now – we have failed in that area, and that is not something we are happy with at all, and we are going to go out and give it a real shot on Saturday and try and back up the win over Annagh,” said McConkey, who is though expecting a big test from Welders.

“I’ve just been looking through their team and they have a huge amount of experience. They have been on the wrong end of a few defeats but they could easily have won those same games and they are going to come wanting to grab as much as they can against us,” said McConkey.

“We feel that if we can get our momentum going on the big pitch, we can certainly cause them problems, but we know they will be dangerous. There are no easy games in this league; I don’t think I’ve seen it as competitive, and that’s the way it is going to be throughout the season.”

McConkey handed a debut to goalkeeper Rory Brown against Annagh following his loan signing from Glentoran.

“Obviously, Rory has a big presence about him, and he is a good talker, and he will be another positive signing for him.

“He made a couple of very good saves and while some of his distribution was not up to the normal standard it would be, he has not played competitively since April, so it will take a few games, but that will come,” added McConkey.

There was also a belated debut for Dean Curry, the centre half having signed prior to last season before it was scrapped and has now returned from injury.

The Ducks boss feels he will bring leadership and quality to the heart of his defence: “Dean is a natural leader and I’ve always known that; he was my international captain when we won the Umbro Cup for the first time.

“You could see the influence he had on the team on Saturday; he is going to be a great asset if we can keep him on the pitch.”

One of this season’s new additions has also been making an impression, with striker BJ Banda’s hat-trick making it five goals from five games in the league.

“He has other parts of his game that he has to work hard at when he isn’t in possession of the ball, but the most important thing for any team is to have someone who can put the ball in the back of the net, and at the moment he is doing that for us, and that is the one thing that gives everybody a lift.

“It is five goals in five games, so he has had a great start,” said McConkey.

He also made one final signing before the window closed with Gary Henderson returning to Ferney Park from Tummery Athletic.

“Gary is a wonderful lad both on and off the pitch. He has a great influence on people around him; he is experienced, he can play several positions and he has a winning mentality.

“We are delighted that he was keen to come in pre-season and work hard on his fitness, and the reason he went to Tummery was to get some game time in as well because we thought that’s what he needed most,” explained McConkey.

On Saturday, Ballinamallard deservedly claimed the points against Annagh, and McConkey feels that they are starting to find their rhythm.

“When you come home any day with the three points in the bag is always a good feeling. There are days that can flatter you but I don’t think that flatters us on Saturday, it was not one of those games you come away from and think you were lucky to win.

“We know we were close to picking three points up against Dundela and Dergview, so we are in a much better place in terms of our form and our level of performance, and that’s when you know you have a chance of picking up further points.

“I’m pleased with the way the balance of the squad is shaping up, with good cover in most areas, and we just need everyone to keep working and preparing hard and performing on a Saturday when it counts,” he added.