Victory pleases manager

ROESIDERS boss Oran Kearney was very pleased with his side's hard fought victory last Saturday against Ballymoney United.

"It wasn't our most fluent performance of the season but it was a very tough, physical encounter against Ballymoney.

"It was probably our hardest game in ages and that's why it was so pleasing to get all three points from it.

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"Ballymoney certainly made it very tough for us. They are a very physical team and they didn't give us an easy time at all.

"Obviously I'm absolutely delighted with the three points and that keeps us exactly where we want to be at the moment," said Keaney.

The former Ballymena United and Linfield midfielder was pleased with the way some of his younger players stood up for themselves.

Kearney said: "I'm pleased the way the younger players stood up for themselves and didn't let themselves get bullied by a physical team.

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"We don't make any excuses for the younger ones and we have told them that before so they know exactly what to expect.

"It's plain to see now how much they have developed in what is really a short space of time from the start of the season.

"They are thinking more about things as well which is an added bonus and all in all they have acquitted themselves very well."

Despite having lost a few players recently the Roesiders manager is more than confident in the players that are in his squad.

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"While we may not have the quantity that we had at the start of the season we certainly have the quality in our squad.

"We also have a lot of versatile players who can play in two or three positions with the likes of John Neill, Peter Spratt and Michael Walsh.

"This certainly keeps the competition for places that we are looking for and it keeps everyone on their toes in a good way.

"The players are well aware that someone will come in and take their place if they are not performing on the pitch and that's a good thing.

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"There is nothing wrong with healthy competition for places and it has certainly made us a stronger team this season, no doubt about it."

The Ballymoney man is also pleased that he has Peter Spratt back in the team and will have John Neill in the squad for next weekend.

"It's good to have Peter back again after he was missing for a few weeks and it brings a little bit more competition to the team.

"It will take him a few weeks to get the match fitness back but he did ok against Ballymoney and seemed to get stronger as the match went on.

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"It was a little disappointing that we didn't have John (Neill) in the squad at the weekend but he will add a lot to the team as well.

"He's a good fella, he has a great attitude and would be described as a good honest pro and I know he will be a good influence on the team," concluded Kearney.

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