Midfielder starts six match suspension

The Drumahoe club started at times to look like their old selves against Harland & Wolff Welders last Saturday and Kee is hoping they can continue that form at Dixon Park.

Over the years the Waterside out-fit have had a good record at the Comrades, in fact the last time they met in Championship One, ’Stute secured a hard fought 2-1 success at Dixon Park.

Kee is expecting another close encounter this weekend, but he believes in his players and hopes they can keep their unbeaten run going and a win would put them on the same amount of points as leaders Dundela.

“You get peaks and troughs in this league and all I’m interested in is each week’s performance to see where it takes us,” stated Kee.

“We still remain unbeaten which is a credit to the players, but they can’t afford to take their eye off the ball, we have a lot of big games coming up, so they need to stay focused.”

The Drumahoe man knows despite sitting nine points and seven places above Eddie Hill’s side, things aren’t going to be easy, but he’s hopeful their win over the Welders will boost their confidence.

“The win over the Welders sets us up nicely for the game against Ballyclare,” he added.

“Ballyclare have a tight pitch and they’re good at home, in fact they are unbeaten at Dixon Park in the league this season, so we have to get at it early on.

“We’ve had them watched a couple of times and they have picked up; they actually drew with the Welders a couple of weeks ago, so we know what to expect.”

’Stute will be without influential midfielder Aaron Walsh who starts the first of his six match ban, Graham Crown continues to struggle with and knee, on the plus side left-back Colm McLaughlin returned to training on Monday evening, after he missed the Welders game, while Darren McCauley will be fighting for a place back in the starting line-up.

However Walsh’s absence could turn out to be crucial as after this weekend’s clash at Ballyclare, the top two meet, with ’Stute travelling to Wilgar Park at the end of the month and his experience would have been invaluable, nevertheless Kee is hopeful youngster Ryan Varma will be able to step up if called upon in the next few weeks.

“Aaron Walsh starts a six match suspension now so the team will have to do without him.

“Ryan Varma came in against Welders for that reason and he gave a good account of himself.

“While not being spectacular he’s contributed a lot to the team, by defending, working, running and making tackles and interceptions, it’s good for him because he’s only 17.

“We have to keep the momentum going no matter who is in the team and it’s up to the players to do that.”