Beggs hoping for a big finish to the season

The Firsts face Portadown in a floodlit special on Wednesday evening, the match re-arranged after falling victim to the weather earlier this year.

Then on Saturday they face the long journey to Dromore for their second last game of the league season.

It has been a tough period for the Bannsiders and the injury attrition rate has not let up. A lot of new faces have been brought up to the Firsts as a result and the unsettling effect has seen a series of defeats in the Towns Cup and the league.

Following the double dip to Clogher Valley the dismal run continued on Wednesday night when they lost out 34-11 at Bangor. On Saturday it was another away game and again defeat, this time going down 24-3 to Donaghadee.

Coach Richard Beggs is keen to improve on the side’s second from last position in the league. Speaking at the weekend he said: “We have three matches left and we will be approaching them in a positive manner, looking for points.

“First up is Portadown and they are one of the top sides this year again. It will be a hard ask but we are looking forward to having a home match and a bit of support and hopefully a good performance.

“The guys have been worked very hard this past few weeks and it is great to see the effort they put in game on game. We do still have a lot of senior players out with injury but everyone who has played up has been playing their very best.

“Now we have a mid-week game followed by Dromore on Saturday. They have been going well this season and it will be another big challenge for us to take them on.

“After that we have a few weeks before our final game away to CIYMS on March 5. Ideally we need a few points from these games to make us secure in the league.”

The Portadown match kicks off at 8.00pm, Wednesday evening, at Coleraine. Support is very welcome. Saturday is away to Dromore, kick-off 2.30pm. In other matches at the weekend the results were Coleraine Seconds 5-18 Grosvenor Seconds and Donaghadee Seconds 12-15 Coleraine Thirds.