Time to kick on, Ferguson tells United players

That 2-1 success halted a mini ‘slump’ of six Danske Bank Premiership games without a victory – although four of them were drawn – and now Ferguson wants his players to push on and break into the top half of the table.

“We have a number of games coming up now against teams who would be viewed as being in and around the same ability as us,” said Ferguson.

“But I say it very often and other managers tell me the same - there are no easy games in this league, a lot of the teams are on a level par.

“You only have to look at the point we got at Ballinamallard – we were disappointed not to win at the time but that has proved to be a very good result as they’re sitting top of the table.

“A lot of matches are decided by who gets the wee breaks or who makes the least mistakes on the day.”

United head for Ballyskeagh this Saturday to take on a Lisburn Distillery side who are gradually starting to find their feet after a turbulent start to the season under new boss Tim
McCann.

“Distillery had a great win against Donegal Celtic on the back of scoring nine against Coagh in the cup during the week, so it will be difficult.

“But we will go there with a gameplan, we’ll work on it during the week on how we think we can overcome them.”

Ferguson will run the rule over a number of players returning from injury, including Alan Davidson, who started the midweek Irn Bru League Cup win over Harland & Wolff Welders – United are at home to Linfield in the quarter-final on November 5 – but was back on the bench for Saturday’s league win over Glenavon.

“In training Alan has been super but you couldn’t have thrown him straight into a match like last Saturday’s.

“But he will gradually get stronger and he will be having extra fitness training with Gordon McCartney and Lee Doherty and we will get him back to full fitness.

“Johnny Taylor (thigh) should be OK as well - he came through a training session on Saturday with no pain whatsoever.

“We have been very careful not to rush Johnny back and risk maybe losing him for longer, especially as we will be losing Davy Munster to a suspension shortly.”

The sight of left-back Ross Black limping off on Saturday with a recurrence of ankle ligament trouble was a worry for Ferguson but the manager insists: “We don’t think it’s as bad as first feared and Gordy will assess him during the week.

“We’re fortunate to have Richard Vauls and Michael Ruddy who can play in that position so it shows the importance of having a good squad,” added Ferguson.

* Seven Towers Supporters’ Club transport to Saturday’s match at Lisburn Distillery leaves Henry Street car park at 1.45pm, with the club’s Joker promotion being drawn prior to departure.

* Seven Towers SC was saddened to learn of the death of one of its members, Jimmy Millar, and sympathy is extended to the family circle.

* Paramount BUSC holds its monthly table quiz in Ballymena Bowling Club this Friday night, October 19, at 8.30pm. All teams welcome.