Ballinamallard Manager Harry McConkey is expecting a tough challenge from local rivals Dergview as the teams prepare for their Boxing Day clash at Ferney Park.

Dergview are locked in a relegation battle with H&W Welders at the foot of the Championship table, but despite their lowly league position they have already taken points off the Mallards this season when the sides played out a goalless draw in August.

In recent years the fixture has proved to be a difficult test for McConkey’s men, but despite a run of five derby games without a win, the Manager reckons his team are well placed to take the points this time around.

“A Dergview team that comes to Ballinamallard will, for sure, give nothing less than 100 per cent, and we have to be good on the day,” acknowledged the Manager.

“We need to back up our last little bit of a resurgence when we stopped the rot and got going again.

The weather has made it difficult for us to maintain that momentum, but we know if we can get another good result this Boxing Day it would lift the spirits of everybody – the players, staff and supporters.

“We are always wanting to do well for our local match sponsors and our supporters, and put on a really good performance.

“Let’s hope we can get a good crowd and a good atmosphere, and hopefully we can give them something to cheer about and get the three points.”

Dergview proved to be a thorn in Ballinamallard’s side last season. The Mallards went down 2-1 to a last-minute winner in March, and McConkey conceded after the match that that defeat ended any hopes of a late promotion push from his team.

A week later the Castlederg side triumphed in the final of the North West Senior Cup, and the following Saturday the sides played out a 1-1 draw at Darragh Park. That trio of derby disappointments led McConkey to call on his players to learn from the experience, and they now have another chance to banish the pain of those matches on Boxing Day.

“They really do have a history of putting it up to us,” admitted McConkey.

“It wouldn’t matter if we were top of the table and they were bottom, or vice versa – you get that competition between us anyway, but they never have any fear of coming to Ferney Park. We need to really try to instil some fear into them because we have failed to do that for the last couple of seasons.

“We have been on top of the games in so many of those matches, and then get stung late on. We have got to get a good footing in the game early on and get on the front foot, because that is when we are most dangerous.”

The Mallards will also come face to face with former players including Dean Corrigan, Sam Robb and Matty Buchanan, who will be looking to put one over their former club.

“Sam Robb and Dean Corrigan are both great young kids who needed game time and unfortunately we couldn’t give it to them at the time when they wanted it most,” revealed Harry.

“They are now plying their trade there and I’m sure they will come with an extra wee spring to make sure they do well against us. Matty Buchanan, their Captain, was with us in the past as well. They know our set up and they know what to expect from us in many ways, but at the same time we have changed a lot of personnel since some of them have been there, and we will have different questions to ask.”

Disrupted by the weather

Preparations for the match have been disrupted by the weather, and the Mallards will come into the game not having played a competitive fixture for more than three weeks, while Dergview had the benefit of a game against Welders in midweek.

While the Manager has been frustrated by the lack of competitive action, the break will allow him to choose from a fully fit squad of players as the injured squad members return to the squad.

“We have trained indoors and it is never the same as being on the pitch and doing the preparation you want to do, but on Saturday we came in early and had a good workout on the pitch.

“The boys were in good spirits and I know they are looking forward to the Boxing Day game,” he revealed.

“If there is any plus on the two games being off, it is that players have come back into contention again, and we are pleased there is going to be some really stiff competition for the 18 for this game.

“Darragh Byrne is back in there, as is Mark Stafford. Caolan McAleer’s foot seems to have healed well and he is making good progress, and Lee Warnock had a bad stomach bug for a week, but is back training.

“I don’t think there is anybody we are ruling out.”