Suspensions hit Institute as they travel to Crusaders

Institute manager Paul Kee will be missing four key players for this weekend’s trip to Premier Division leaders Crusaders.
Institute's Mark Forker misses this weekend's game at Crusaders. Picture by Darren Kidd/Press EyeInstitute's Mark Forker misses this weekend's game at Crusaders. Picture by Darren Kidd/Press Eye
Institute's Mark Forker misses this weekend's game at Crusaders. Picture by Darren Kidd/Press Eye

Midfield duo Mark Forker and Aaron Walsh along with Dean Curry and Darren McFadden all miss the encounter at Seaview, through suspension.

On the plus side Stephen Curry returns to the squad following his trip to America.

Despite the number of absentees, Kee believes his side have played well against the Shore Road men in their previous matches this season.

“They are fighting for the title, so we need to be at our best,” he stated.

“We need a similar type of performance of what Warrenpoint Town did against Portadown earlier in the season, when the bottom beat the top.

“At the end of the day we have played well in the two games we have played Crusaders, granted in those two games we had (Stephen) O’Flynn, but I would like to think the team has learned a few things over the last few weeks.

“We also have the element of surprise, as no one will be giving us a chance, so it’s about what we do on the day and if we do what I think we can do, then we are more than capable of getting some type of result.”

Kee is also hoping it will be a case of third time lucky against Stephen Baxter’s side and more importantly they take their chances when they get them. In their previous meetings the Drumahoe men have missed penalties at crucial times in those games.

“I feel we should have had at least four points from games against Crusaders, we missed penalties in both them games,” he added.

“If O’Flynn had have scored at Seaview to make it 3-2, I think we would have at least got a point, then obviously (Aaron) Walsh missed a penalty in the last minute at our place, but we have done well against them.”

Stephen Baxter’s men are six points clear at the top of the Premiership and because of that Kee knows they’ll want to maintain that lead over Linfield.
“We have done well against them this season and they’ll be very mindful of that,” he added.
“Plus the fact that they are going for the league they’ll have to be at their best in every game.

“They were a wee bit complacent on Saturday in the first half against Carrick and they didn’t get out of second gear in the first half, but Baxter changed that and in the second half they were more like themselves.

“We will have to have a strong discipline in our play and strong concentration.”

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