Knockbreda 1 Ballinamallard United 2

Mark Stafford’s 55th minute header proved decisive as Ballinamallard made it four wins on the bounce, including three in the league, with a 2-1 win away to Knockbreda on Saturday.

Despite a positive start, Harry McConkey’s charges found themselves a goal down after only seven minutes but they were back on level terms when Shane McGinty converted from the spot.

And Stafford then popped up with the winner ten minutes into the second half as the Mallards recent run of good form continued.

Ballinamallard began the contest on the front foot and BJ Banda had a glorious chance to open the scoring but he failed to convert.

And instead the Ducks found themselves a goal down soon after.

“The pleasing thing was that we played with great intent early on in the game and right throughout the first half but yet again we felt we should have done better for their goal.

“We were waiting for a free kick for a foul on McAleer but play was allowed to go on and they punished us from a ricochet. It was well finished but it was a goal that should never have happened,” said Ducks boss McConkey.

The Mallards continued to press forward and with 16 minutes on the clock they were back on level terms. Richard Clarke’s through ball found the lively Banda and he was upended with the referee pointing to the spot.

McGinty stepped up and dispatched the ball to the corner of the net to make it 1-1.

The Ducks appealed for another penalty when John Edgar went down in the box but on this occasion nothing was given while centre half Peter Maguire had a long range effort that clipped the upright as it remained 1-1 at the break.

However, the Mallards had their noses in front ten minutes into the second half. Aaron Arkinson’s corner was met by Maguire who played the ball back across the goal for Stafford to head home.

“It was great to see Mark Stafford on the end of one, Mark is always a huge threat in the box and Peter Maguire did very well to set him up and he was just stronger and more aggressive than their keeper,” said McConkey.

“I was delighted for Mark because he has scored two on the floor but his greatest strength is in the air.”

McConkey though was left frustrated with the remainder of the half as his side got sucked into a physical battle and stopped playing the ball on the deck.

“The second half was so frustrating for me, it is not the way we want to play,” he said.

“Once we got the second goal we went far too direct far too often and I told the players after the game that is not the way we want to play and not something that I will accept.

“All I saw was the ball constantly in the air and constantly percentage balls as opposed to on the floor and building through the thirds, that’s the way we want to play.

“We got ourselves sucked into a physical battle but the big pleasing thing for me was that we stood up to them physically and we defended bravely.”

And the Mallards were able to see the game out to seal the points as they continue to huild momentum ahead of two massive games against the leagues top two.

“I’ve always said that results are the cement between the bricks in the wall and to build confidence we need that cement.

“These last four results are exactly that.

“Overall, we’re delighted to have kept our momentum going and we go back to training this week knowing that we have to reset and go again against a very good Annagh side.

“They are a very good footballing team and that will suit us. They come to our own quality playing surface that will allow some of their very good players that they have brought in to get the ball down and play and stretch us and we need to be ready for that.

“I know equally, though, that we can stretch them and we would love to come out the right side of this one because it would set us in a really good place to attack Loughgall the following week,” added McConkey.

However, match-winner Stafford is a doubt for the game after picking up a knock against Knockbreda although Ben McCann is back in contention.

“The disappointment from the game is that Mark has a thigh muscle injury and I would say that he will be a major doubt for Saturday but we are hoping that everybody else will be fine.

“Ben McCann and Stevie Drumm got a good 90 minutes with the Reserves last Saturday and they will come into contention for Saturday,” stated McConkey.