Disappointment after game falls victim to big freeze

“It’s a great shame that we didn’t get playing on Saturday, not least because we had great expectations that the tie would go ahead and the match was called off late in the day,” explained the Inver Park supremo.

“We had a really good win in midweek at Clandeboye Park and the three points hoisted us up into fifth place in the table, so the victory we had expected against Armagh City on Saturday would have moved us up to second spot in the table – given that all those around us in the table had their games already scrapped.

“I know that maybe would have been a slightly false position because of nobody else playing, but psychologically it would have been a tremendous boost to the club and would have put a wee bit more pressure on those around us – some of whom would have dropped points anyway, since they were nearly all playing one another.

“The lads put in a really good shift against Bangor and we were worthy winners against a useful team who had just come off the back of a morale-boosting draw against Ards.

“We went in a goal to the good at half-time, Anto Lagan scoring with a header from a corner, and we dominated the second period, that illustrated by the fact that their goal came from what was their only shot at the target in the whole of those 45 minutes – and, even then, it was deflected to the net.

“It came just after we had established a 3-0 lead, so the game was as good as over by that stage and we never felt under any real pressure.

“It was a good win and the three points were very welcome indeed.

“This weekend we are in Intermediate Cup action against Glebe Rangers and I would like to think the game will go ahead and that we can progress to the next round, with the following Saturday bringing us into Irish Cup competition against Newry City – another good test of our ability.

“The loss of the home games does impact on finances and last Saturday would probably have drawn a big crowd with so much football off all over the holiday period and folk anxious to see a bit of action.

“But the board has been very proactive in trying to bring in revenue from many other sources, with the social club again active, and the players only getting half their wages if matches aren’t played on Saturday. The bad weather has, therefore, had an effect on finances, but not as badly as it might otherwise have been,” added Millar.