Reid: We can Steel a march on Bangor

ASK Allen Reid if he thinks it’s Larne’s year and you’ll get a no-nonsense reply. “Of course. One hundred percent.”

Tomorrow the straight-talking Reds skipper will lead the Invermen out at Seaview as they set out and claim the club’s first Steel and Sons Cup trophy for 40 years.

For Reid it’s a chance for to banish the horrible memories of last year’s semi-final defeat by getting both hands on the coveted silverware. And there’s a little bit of added spice for the midfielder as he goes head-to-head with Bangor - his hometown team.

“It’s a massive game for the club,” he said. “We all know that Larne haven’t won a trophy in years and getting to the final has been one of the first major turns since the club went down. It shows the club is heading in the right direction again.”

Reid came to Inver Park in 2008, signed from Linfield by Graham McConnell and his move was made permanent by current boss Paul Millar in the summer of 2009.

Since then the club captain has impressed primarily at left-midfield but also in the centre of the park and on the right. His pace and tireless work-rate have proved invaluable to Millar who was so impressed with his all-round displays and attitude that he handed him the armband at the start of last season. In his first year as skipper he made 40 appearances for the club and scored 10 goals.

His role as a leader on the pitch has coincided with a turnaround in fortunes. And this year Larne’s league form is less erratic than it has been in previous campaigns. Reid puts their solidity down to a settled squad and a strong togetherness in the camp.

“The players are a lot more settled and we just have to build upon the core of the team. It’s a good, young side we have at the minute and I think in the years to come we will see things move in the right direction.

“I think we have found consistency. That’s a huge factor. Last year we lacked that but we have kept the team together and kept the core strength of the side and I think its great that we are seeing the results of that.”

And he firmly believes that this group of players have what it takes to win the festive showdown.

“Of course we can win it. At this level we have reached the semi-finals for the past three years and I think getting to final shows that it’s the right time for us.”

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