back on form

That’s the view of manager Ryan Watson ahead of Saturday’s Irish Cup Fifth Round clash at Ballymoney’s Riada Stadium (kick-off 3pm).

Town have lost two league games on the trot. Now Watson wants his side to use Saturday’s break from league action to return to the winning trail and set up a money-spinning sixth round tie against a Premiership side in the process.

“There’s a huge incentive for both teams,” he said. “When the draw was made, we were hoping for a big team this time around but its an opportunity to progress to the next stage.

“If we can get a win, it will hopefully kick-start our season again. It can get some momentum back into us. This game’s coming along at a great time to do that.”

Town have already beaten opponents Ballymoney this season, 3-0 at Crystal Park back in October. In fact, they’ve won all of the last five meetings between the teams.

Watson knows his side have a good chance to progress to the Irish Cup Sixth Round for the first time since they beat Cliftonville in the Fifth Round in 2005.

He said: “It’s a great opportunity, playing against a team in our own division. Ideally, we’d have liked to be playing this game at home but this match will all come down to the performances on the day and to who wants it more.

“Ballymoney will be a tough side to play against, especially at their own ground. They’ll be up for it and will feel they can get to the next round as well.”

There is a possibility that goal-scorer Steven Jones and Glen Waddell will return from injury in time to face Ballymoney.