Ballinamallard will go into Saturday’s match against Warrenpoint hoping they can extend their unbeaten run against the County Down side to seven matches.

Warrenpoint have not got the better of the Mallards for almost four years, and it is almost eight years since the ’Point won at Ferney Park, but Manager Harry McConkey is adamant that record is irrelevant to Saturday’s outcome.

“That counts for nothing,” said McConkey.

“We have had some great games against them in the past, and we have historically done well against them, but this is a different squad so I can only really compare it to the last game.

“There are some clubs you feel you can never get the better of, no matter what, and then you can get a team where you do historically well against, and that can give you a wee psychological boost going into the game – but in this league there is absolutely no complacency, and we certainly can’t afford to be complacent in any shape or form.

“All season we have gone into matches knowing we have nothing to fear. We must respect our opponents, because they are all dangerous, but if we can get our own game together and be a bit more consistent, then we know that we can do well.”

Warrenpoint and Ballinamallard played out a one-all draw at Milltown last month. The home team took an early lead, but the Mallards hit back with Shane McGinty equalising from the penalty spot, and the Manager believes his side did enough on that day to show they can go one better on Saturday.

‘Strength in depth’

“While they dominated the game in the first half, we could have won it late on,” he said. “They have a lot of quality throughout their team. They have former players in Jonathan Leddy and Stuart Hutchinson, but they have strength in depth and they proved that after getting two players sent off against Ards and coming back to win the next week.

“At the start of the season we would have seen Warrenpoint as one of the clubs who would be right up there towards the promotion places, and we knew we would have to stay on their coat tails, but when you look at their results you can see how difficult a league this is.

“A club with their resources and experiences, and with players who have come down from the Premiership, they have found it difficult enough to adjust.

“We want to give the support something to cheer about, and to lift the mood. It should be a good game of football, because it certainly was the last time we played.”

Ballinamallard will go into the game with the strongest squad they have assembled all season, and the Manager is hopeful the worst of their injury crisis is now behind them.

“It was a great disappointment, the game being off last Saturday, because we were trying to build up some momentum after a run of defeats, but we may well find there are some advantages,” he said.

“Mark Stafford should certainly make this week. Caolan McAleer was also still feeling his foot, and this has allowed that some more time to settle.

“Lee Warnock is coming back in and did well against Loughgall, and Darragh Byrne was going to miss out last Saturday but hopefully he will now be available for selection on Saturday.

“Alex Holder is back in training with us as well after a long-term injury, and that is a joy to see. He obviously has to be sensible with his rehab, but it is great to see him back on the pitch again, and although he will not be able to come into contention for a while, we are hopeful of a return in the New Year.”

Prior to the game the club are holding a reunion among the club’s first Harry Cavan Youth Cup winning squad of 2002, and after the match there will be a community carol service for all.

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