McCall is confident of cup win
Thursday, 16 October 2008
THIS Saturday Joe McCall's Ballymoney United will aim to make the semi finals of the Steel & Sons Cup when they take on Ballyclare Comrades at Dixon Park.
It has been over five years since the Ballymoney men reached this stage of the competition and McCall is hoping to put a few ghosts to rest in the process.
“Saturday is a big, big game for us," said Joe. "The Steele & Sons Cup is a very prestigious competition and at our level its the one players and managers want to win. It's one of the most prized trophies and it is a big occasion to be involved in the final on Christmas Day.
Ballyclare Comrades have always been a bit of a bogey team for us. They beat us last year in the Irish Cup then the season before they beat us twice in the league.
“I watched them on Saturday against Portadown and they were beaten 1-0.
They have a lot of injuries and suspensions so I don't know what sort of team we will face.
“I am full of confidence that we can beat them. We are a different and much better team from the previous seasons and we are more than capable of winning this game.
Dixon Park has never been a good ground for us - not just against Ballyclare but in other competitions. We were beaten by Bangor at Ballyclare last year and we have suffered several disappointments there.
The Steel & Sons is not a good competition for me as a manager and a player and this is as far as I have got in it. So now is the time to put a lot of ghosts to rest by winning at Ballyclare and by getting into the semi finals.
“Obviously we would have like a home draw but you cant have everything. We can only go there as prepared as is possible. With not having a match last week we trained very hard.
“Following the 5-0 defeat by Loughgall we sat down and chatted about it. We were nil nil at half time and then we fell asleep at half time. We went a couple of goals behind and then panicked as we tried to chase the game.
“On Saturday past I thought that I really wanted a game to get that defeat out of our system but now I think having the break was a good thing. We talked about it, dealt with it and have put it behind us and now the lads are champing at the bit and raring to go on Saturday.
“We have had several hard training sessions and I have a full squad to select from for Saturday's game. We need to keep cool heads, knuckle down and play the way I know we are capable off and if we do that then I am more than confident that we can beat ballyclare and keep our cup dreams alive."
