Ballinamallard manager Harry McConkey has called for a repeat of Saturday’s heroics, as they look to secure a top-six finish in the NIFL Championship with victory at Knockbreda.

The Mallards made it four games without defeat as they overcame third-placed Annagh United 2-0, and a similar result against Knockbreda this weekend will secure their place in the top half of the table ahead of the league splitting in half for the final five games of the campaign.

“We played with huge hearts and we battled for everything, and it will need to be the same again against Knockbreda,” said McConkey.

“It was the best example we have had this season of players fighting for each other when it really counted, and when we really needed it.

“When the final whistle went, there were a lot of hugs among the players because they knew they had given absolutely everything.

“It was a tremendous fighting performance.”

Ballinamallard currently sit eighth in the league table, but they have played a game less than all the clubs above them and victory against bottom club Knockbreda would lift them to fifth and guarantee a top-half finish.

A draw or defeat would mean they have to finish their season with games against the bottom six clubs.

A positive finish to the campaign seemed unlikely when the Mallards won just one league game from nine around the turn of the year, but they have battled through injuries and suspensions to peak at the right time, taking ten points from a possible 12 in recent weeks to lift them to the brink of the top six.

“It would be a remarkable feat for us, considering where we have been in the last few weeks and the fact the season has been so unkind to us in so many ways,” said McConkey.

“I do believe we have earned the bit of good fortune we got on Saturday because we have had absolutely none.

“If you keep going, I always believe things will turn for you.”

Ballinamallard have a great record against Knockbreda, having won each of their last seven encounters, but McConkey expects that to count for very little come Saturday.

“That is all in the past,” he said. “It is an indicator that we have no fear of going to Knockbreda, but we also know we have had some very difficult days up there as well where it was nip and tuck before we came out on the right side of the result.

“They are clearly fighting for their lives, and we know we need another big performance.

“Knockbreda were 2-0 up against Institute and will have been gutted to have lost the game, but they dominated a lot of the first half and they looked like a team that can cause problems when they go on the front foot.

“We just have to apply ourselves in the same way, and I think on the bigger pitch we can expose them a bit easier than it was to expose Annagh on their small, tight pitch.”

Ballinamallard needed a victory over promotion-chasing Annagh to set up the Knockbreda showdown and they delivered the perfect result with goals from Mark Stafford and Patrick Ferry, but McConkey admitted they were made to work hard for their victory.

“We have had very little luck this season, but we probably got it in this game, and it was much needed,” he conceded. “Early on in the game they had a dominance.

‘Changed our system’

“We were struggling to cope with some of the waves of their attacking play, but we changed our system to a 442 and made ourselves a lot more solid, particularly in the wide areas, and they didn’t at any point get through us once we got our shape.

“We had introduced Aaron Smyton at half time as Ruari Sludden had been ill. We put Aaron into left midfield as we felt his physicality and defensive qualities would help, and he did just that and ended up catching them on the counter with his pace.

“It was a new role for Stevie Drumm on the right and Aaron on the left, and the two youngsters were exceptional.

“We got the goals at the right time. We hit them a really good move for the first goal, but the game was on a knife edge throughout. It was two teams going all out to get something and working hard to hold each other.

“They went very direct and they were a lively opponent, yet we always felt we could deal with a lot of what they were throwing at us on the day.

“It was great to come away with a clean sheet, three points, and leave ourselves with our destiny in our own hands in terms of making the top six.”

McConkey will be looking to get his experienced players on the pitch for the crucial game against Knockbreda, but he admits he does have concerns over several members of the squad.

“Ryan Morris got a knock on his foot, Mark Stafford got a dead leg and Ronan McKinley was carrying a knock so we are going to have to make sure we nurse them through this week,” revealed the manager.

“Fingers crossed, all three will be available for Saturday, but the youngsters who have come in have served us very well and we will have no hesitation in using them if needed.

“Nick Palmer will be back in contention having been away on holidays, and John Edgar may well come back into contention also.

“Shane McGinty was on the bench on Saturday and is not yet 100 per cent, but we are hoping he will be back on the pitch soon.

“Jamie Ray is away to America [to play in the Dallas Cup] so Josh Brownlee and Nathan Hunter will come into contention for that goalkeeper spot.”

 

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