INSTITUTE: Kevin Deery happy with player's attitude but not disappointed with display

Institute manager Kevin Deery conceded that he was happy his side booked their place in the last four of the Intermediate Cup, but their performance against Newington wasn't their best.
Institute's Oisin McMenamin holds off Newington player Kevin O'Neill. INLS1116-107KMInstitute's Oisin McMenamin holds off Newington player Kevin O'Neill. INLS1116-107KM
Institute's Oisin McMenamin holds off Newington player Kevin O'Neill. INLS1116-107KM

Striker Stephen Mills headed home their winner two minutes from time in extra-time but Deery is no fool and he knows his side will have to play better this campaign.

“The performance wasn’t where we would hope, but I can’t fault the player’s attitude,” he said.

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“I told the players that attitude was going to play a big part in the tie and I felt their attitude was all right I just think we struggled to get a real rhythm to our game. They took the rhythm out of everything and that was really frustrating, to be honest if there had have been 15 minutes added on at the end of both halves I wouldn’t have been surprised.

“At half-time I knew the players were frustrated but I remained positive and thankfully in the end it worked out for us.”

To be fair the Stute gaffer did hold his hands up and admitted his team needed to show more to break down what was a hard working Newington side.

“Yes they did everything to spoil the game, but we have to be honest our quality wasn’t where it needs to be,” he said.

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“Listen we are through the tie but we have to raise the momentum in the game whenever teams are trying to do that, i.e. with good quality and getting in behind them.

“Obviously we didn’t envisage extra-time against Newington, now that wasn’t taking them lightly we felt we would have got one in normal time, but after they went down to ten men it was probably harder for us and we never found the key pass.”