Semi-final place is United goal on history-making trip

The Sky Blues will tread new ground when they travel to Championship side Dergview in Wednesday night’s Irn Bru League Cup quarter-final (7.45pm) – the first time the sides have ever met.

The trip to Darragh Park has become a pivotal moment in Ballymena’s season after back-to-back Carling Premiership defeats have stunted United’s hopes of rising up the league table.

And while the Castlederg side remain relative newcomers in Irish League terms, the fact that Dergview – who are managed by former Ballymena midfielder Harry McConkey – have the joint fewest number of defeats in the Championship should be enough to dispel any notion that this tie will be a formality for the Sky Blues.

“We have a lot of information about Dergview – Joe McCall has watched them on a number of occasions recently and has compiled very thorough reports on them,” Walker told Times Sport.

“They have some good players – Ryan Campbell is a very mobile striker with an eye for goal and Johnny Lafferty is a midfielder who is comfortable on the ball.

“Knowing Harry’s approach to the game, Dergview are probably one of the more likely teams in that division to play football on the ground.

“But it’s a huge opportunity to reach the semi-final of a major cup competition and we will go into the game as favourites.

“It is up to us to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings – it’s a ground that gives the appearance of maybe being smaller than it actually is because its is enclosed.

“As well as that, there are tiny changing rooms and when you throw in the distance being further away than any senior ground, these are things that we will have to adjust our mentality to overcome.

“Gary McCutcheon, Ally Teggart and Jordan Baker all played there during Portadown’s season in the Championship so it’s not completely unchartered waters for our players.”

United’s players will depart at 2.30pm but Walker reports no cry-offs from players as a result of being unable to get out of work early.

Scotsmen Gary McCutcheon and Allan Jenkins are also available and will join up with their team-mates at a hotel closer to kick-off after their sailing arrives in mid-afternoon.

One player who will certainly be in the squad is Eamonn Murray after disciplinary measures were taken following the winger’s non-appearance at the previous week’s match against Coleraine.

“It was a complete misunderstanding on Eamonn’s part as to where the pick-up point was, nothing more than that – Eamonn hasn’t a bad bone in his body.

“He has accepted a fine and he was back in the fold last Saturday.

“We’ve seen him with a spring in his step at training recently now that he has adapted to his new working arrangements and hopefully he will show that on the pitch,” added Roy.

l Paramount Supporters’ Club holds its monthly table quiz in the Bowling Club this Friday evening, November 18, at 8.30pm. All teams welcome.