Waterside derby

United, who are fresh from a hard fought but entertaining 3-0 win at Draperstown Celtic, know they will have to up their game if they harbour any hopes of reaching the Boxing Day final, at Tobermore.

Boss Wesley Robinson admits that the entire club is looking forward to this weekend’s clash against the Championship One side.

“Not only are the 11 players out on the pitch looking forward to this but the club as a whole can’t wait to have Institute come to the village for our first competitive game against each other at intermediate standard,” declared Robinson.

“Down the years we have had plenty of friendlies, but as we all know these games are only for fitness and conditioning, although when the results go your way it is an added bonus, and we’ve had some great games with ’Stute and some good results.

“These are the games as a coach you look forward to, pitting your wits against the better and more experienced coaches. None come more experienced than Institute’s.”

Robinson who acknowledges United are still growing both on and off the pitch as a club, but he feels games against the likes of Institute can only help in the long term and also states that a number of his players will be champing at the bit to show their old club that they were wrong to release them.

“I think we are fast becoming an experienced team, although young, at our own level, indeed I only have to point to winning our first Northern Ireland Intermediate League title last season and also taking Ballyclare Comrades to extra time last year in one of the bigger cup competitions.

“There’s also a wee bit of extra spice been added to the game with some of our players not been deemed good enough to turn out for the Drumahoe club, so I am sure they will have their own point to prove. We seem to have become a bit of a feeder club for Institute in recent years and this theme continues with their interest in our goal keeper. Hopefully he doesn’t have to put a performance in which backs up their interest but if called upon I am sure he will be up to the task.

“Unfortunately due to injury and a wedding a couple of our most experienced players will miss this encounter, this only backs up the label of underdogs we have been given. But I am sure the players that fill in the spaces will raise their own game to that of the rest of the team.

“So hopefully the guys can play their best on the day, maybe a few of the ’Stute players have an off day and lady luck shines upon us.”

As for the Drumahoe club they too have a number of injury and suspension problems, with Declan McKeever missing out through suspension, while Mark Kelly (ankle) and Sean Friars (calf) are also extremely doubtful after they picked up injuries during last weekend’s win over Warrenpoint Town.

“We have the chance to get into our second final this season, so we’ll want to win the game,” admitted joint manager Paul Carlyle.

“We face Coleraine on October 25 and if we win on Saturday then we have a Boxing Day Final, so it’s all to play for.

“We have Thomas McBride and John Curran back, so we are pretty much back to full strength, but Declan McKeever is suspened and both Mark Kelly and Sean Friars are both stuggling.”

Carlyle is expecting a tough match and will be warning the squad at training this week to make sure they are for the game.

“We’ll be ready and because we were complacent against Warrenpoint that is something we’ll be looking to make sure that doesn’t happen against Newbuildings.

“Because it’s a derby and they are a junior club they’ll be up for it and going out to impress, so because of that we need to be fully focused.”