Watson on the look-out for experienced signings

The Championship Two side know an upturn in form is a must if they’re to fire themselves up the table and away from the relegation battle.

At the time of going to print, boss Ryan Watson was even hoping he could have some new players signed on the dotted line in time for Saturday six-pointer against Coagh United.

“We’re thin on the ground but that’s something we’re looking at. We’re very much on the look-out for the right type of player.

“That’s sometimes not easy in January but I’m hoping we might even have a few new signings, or at least boys back from injury, for Saturday’s game.

“We need some quality to add to the spine of the team and I’d also like to bring in some experience to add to the good young players we have coming into the first team.

“I’m doing all I can to bring those players in.”

Town will again be boosted by the presence of goal-scorer Steven O’Neill on Saturday as he is on a brief trip home from his spell in America.

“Steven was a welcome boost last weekend because we’ve had a bit of a crisis with injuries to our forwards at the minute,” said Watson.

“Thank goodness he was there. His performance was very good for a guy who maybe hasn’t played a lot over the last few months. He took his goal well and could have had more. It wasn’t that he messed up the chances. The Ballymoney keeper made a few top saves.”

More good news on the squad-list came when long-term injury victim Ryan Evans made his first appearance of the season off the bench on Saturday.

“Ryan Evans came on and got half an hour and looked very good,” said the boss. “He’ll be like a new signing for us coming in now. He has so much quality and really gives us another dimension.

“It’s something to build on for him although I don’t want to rush him. We’ll have to manage him and make sure he doesn’t have any more complications.”

Watson was also full of praise for the side’s two youngest members, who are both catching the eye as the begin their senior football careers.

“We had two 17 year-olds in the team, both of whom were very impressive,” he said.

“David Gray and Adam Dennison both played exceptionally well, which is fantastic for them coming into the side at such a young age.”