Whites need the winning habit

Lisburn Distillery need to break their losing run, which now stands at eight games. US1545-524cd

And this weekend gives them the perfect opportunity - providing the game goes ahead of course.

Weather permitting, Distillery are set to host Queen’s University in the Intermediate Cup second round on Saturday (kick-off 1.30pm), playing for the right to welcome Institute in the next round.

Distillery have now lost eight games on the trot but, playing Championship Two opposition, it’s a chance to end that run.

“Winning is a great habit to get into,” said boss Sean Paul Murray. “It seems like a long time since the club won a game so we have to get back to winning matches.

“Queen’s are a very good side and are always very well organised though. They’ll certainly be difficult to beat.

“They will be well up for it, as any team is when they are playing against a club from a league above. There are no easy games when we are in the position we are in.”

With more rain forecast today (Friday), however, those plans could again be scuppered.

“If we have any more rain like we did at the start of the week, it’s very possible that this will be called off as well.

“We just want to get a game and get back onto the pitch again. We’ve only had two games since we took over seven or eight weeks ago.

“It has been frustrating but at the same time, it’s given us an opportunity to get the players fit and organised the way we want them and to put our stamp on things.

“It’s been like a pre-season we have put the players through so this feels like we are starting a new season.

“Now we have to try and move that from training onto the pitch.”

Should the game go ahead, Distillery are likely to be without Ryan Corrigan and Lee Chapman, who are struggling with hamstring injuries. “If it was a league game, we would probably start them but, being in the position we’re in, we don’t want to risk anybody for a Cup game,” said the boss.

“It’s a good chance for us to give opportunities to some of our younger players. We have a lot of great players coming up from the Under 19s so some of them will get a chance this weekend.”

Meanwhile, Murray is hoping to welcome some new signings into the fold this week.

He said: “We have a good squad. We shouldn’t be down where we are but we do need a few additions so hopefully we can get two or three tied up in the coming days.”