Malone issues warning to squad
Colin Malone
LOUGHGALL manager, Colin Malone (pictured), has promised a reshuffle and move towards his younger players unless the experienced Villagers can mount a turnaround in fortunes.
Saturday’s reverse against Ballynahinch United marked a second cup exit inside five days, with Loughgall’s sole focus now on IFA Championship 1 progress.
The previous defeat - to Coagh United in the Irish Cup - led to Malone calling for a positive response last weekend. However, Ballynahinch finished the Intermediate Cup tie with a 2-1 win.
“The fact that young players such as Josh Finlay and Niall Doyle looked so positive tells a story,” said Malone. “We had experience in the panel but too many players failed to produce and we simply did not do enough over 90 minutes to win the tie.
“It is obviously very disappointing and we need to get back on track by stepping up the work ethic first and foremost.
“The first half was especially poor and Ballynahinch displayed greater determination and heart.
“Too many of the players seemed to have a cup hangover from the Coagh result and the heads dropped very quickly.
“The end result is we now sit out of two cups in a short space of time and obviously that knocks confidence across the club.
“It also disrupts our plans for the future and the encouraging performances by the young players on Saturday would suggest that is a direction to take.
“Turning to the seconds more often over the remainder of the season may help freshen everything up as too many players seem stuck in a rut.
“They have to realise what happens once they cross that white line and accept the responsibility.
“It is only by virtue of the players that we can change our form as preparations suggested everything was according to plan leading up to Saturday.
“They have had good results in the past so must reply in the right way, with determination and the correct approach.
“As a coaching team, we can warn against the cost of complacency and confidence remains a wonderful attribute.
“However, the lack of it is a disaster and sooner rather than later you look towards your big players to step up.
“We face Harland and Wolff Welders this weekend at Lakeview Park but will miss Mark Carson and John Guy for some time now due to injury.
“John actually had to undergo an emergency appendix operation last week and we wish him a full and speedy recovery.”
Kick-off tomorrow (Saturday) at Lakeview Park will be 3 o’clock.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portadown
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
