Eddie ready to ring the changes after defeat

FOLLOWING last Saturday’s surprise 2-0 defeat by Ballymoney United, Ballyclare Comrades manager Eddie Hill says he is prepared to wield the axe, writes George Brown.

“It was a disappointing display, and there definitely will be changes for the crucial League fixture against Lurgan Celtic,” he said.

“We got what we deserved, and nobody could complain about Ballymoney’s win; they worked harder than we did and they deserved to take the points.

“This performance came out of the blue, following a brilliant run of seven wins on the trot. Perhaps the players were a little complacent bearing in mind Ballymoney’s lower league position, but whatever it was, it was totally unacceptable.”

Looking ahead to Comrades’ home tie against Kilmore Rec in the quarter-final of the Steel & Sons Cup manager Hill said: “All I ever hope for in a knockout competition is a home draw, so I’m satisfied.

“Having said that, they will be no pushovers; they are an Amateur League side, and don’t forget how we had to battle to overcome Newington YC and Dromara Village in previous rounds, so there will be no room for complacency.

“That tie will be at Dixon Park on Saturday, November 3 when we will be striving to book our place in the semi-final, but before then we have an important league clash with Lurgan Celtic this weekend.

“They are flying high as joint Championship 2 leaders, so it’s as a massive six-pointer. A win would keep us in touch with the front-runners, but a defeat would dent our promotion aspirations.

“This Championship 2 Match of the Day should be a cracker, so I appeal to all the fans to turn out to give us much-appreciated vocal support,” he said.