Defence delivers as Watson praises first clean sheet

Adam Gray was part of the Town defence that held out Derriaghy CC on Saturday. INBL1504-253EB

They saw off Derriaghy CC to ensure they’re still in with a chance of winning the Intermediate Cup for only the second time.

“We didn’t play well after a bright opening 20 minutes or so but we battled it out and got the result,” he said.

“It’s nice to grind out a result like that but the most pleasing thing was getting the clean sheet. It’s been a long time coming for us.

“I can see the defending getting better and the back four has been a lot more settled recently, which helps. Glen Waddell is doing a good job of marshalling the defence now and I’m absolutely delighted we got the clean sheet.

“We rode our luck a bit with the penalty but when you work hard, you will get little breaks like that.

“We started the game off very well. We were really taking the game to them and we played some great football.”

Town’s quick start was rewarded with the early goal from striker Ally Wilson as he begins to find his form in front of goal.

“Ally’s was a very well taken goal,” he said. “Conor Downey did well to find him and then Ally turned one way and then the other and finished really nicely across the keeper. It was a quality finish from a quality player.

“He’s got the bit between his teeth at the minute and it’s great that we’re now getting a bit more service to him.

“In saying that, he made the goal on Saturday himself. He had a great game. His all-round performance was brilliant, holding the ball up very well and towards the end, he won a few free-kicks and used his intelligence. He’s a big, big player for us.”

Town have now gone three games without defeat since the turn of the year and Watson is delighted they can now take a winning mentality into their league clash against Sport and Leisure Swifts on Saturday afternoon.

“We’ve picked up a good bit of momentum now and it was great to keep that going on Saturday,” he said.

“I was very happy just to keep that run going. That’s what we want to do now - just take each game as it comes and concentrate on getting the three points or getting through to the next round of the Cup.”