It's make or break time for Institute and they face their toughest test to date this weekend when Linfield travel to the Riverside in the sixth round of the Irish Cup.
Both teams are chasing league titles, with Linfield pushing Crusaders at the top of the NIFL Premiership while ‘Stute try to maintain their fight in the Championship.
Kevin Deery’s side are not coming into the game in form having lost their last two league matches against PSNI and Lurgan Celtic, with their last win coming against Ballyclare Comrades in the fifth round of this competition.
That is in stark contrast to their opponents who have won their last four games on the bounce, led in attack by top scorer Andrew Waterworth.
Amidst the disappointing results there have been changes in personnel at the Riverside in recent weeks with Ciaron Harkin, Caolan Cooley, Gareth McFadden and Ryan Doherty leaving the club and Raymond Foy, Andy Devlin and Kyle Friel-Curran coming in.

TOUGH TEST
When assessing the challenge that faces his team on Saturday ‘Stute boss Deery said his team are under no illusions as to the strength of their opposition.
“I played against them just a few years ago and they were always tough opposition for us at Derry,” the manager told the Derry News.
“Physically and mentally we have to be ready for them but it’s about relishing the experience and enjoying the chance to test ourselves against one of the most elite teams in the country.
“They’re a different category to us in a lot of ways but we want to go out there and play to the best of our ability and to see where we’re at,” he added.
A week off followed those two defeats that have set the Blues back in their bid for a Championship title but the manager said the break was what his side needed.
“We were feeling really flat and down after those two results, particularly because they came out of nowhere. Usually you can foresee a bit of a bad patch but it was a real surprise and we were annoyed with ourselves,” Deery explained.
“We worked hard against Ballyclare to get through in the last round and we got our glamorous tie so now we have to give it our all. It has always been my mentality in football to not go into any game just to make up the numbers.”
With the Championship entering a crucial phase just ahead of the league split Deery insisted that he is still fully focused on taking his side as far as they can go in the tournament.
“It’s the most prestigious cup that you can compete in in this country so we definitely want to push on and go as far as we possibly can.
“Linfield played Dungannon at the weekend and beat them comfortably but we know what their strengths are and we will work to nullify those,” the manager said.
“In football you never know what’s going to happen so we will give it our all and see where it takes us.”
Looking at the importance of being at home the manager agreed his side must take advantage of the fact that Linfield will not be used to playing on the Riverside pitch.
“The surroundings may not be as glamorous as what they will be used to but we have a pitch in the best possible condition with the resources available and of course you want to use the benefit of being at home,” Deery said.
“We believe in what we do and while the boys may have enjoyed a trip to Windsor we have the chance to use the fact that we’re at home to our advantage.”
Other than new signing Kyle Friel-Curran (cup-tied) and Dean Curry (stomach) the manager has a fully fit squad at his disposal, and he said each player is fighting for a starting place.
“The team is far from picked yet and we’ll train tonight and see how the boys get on.
“No doubt there will be a few boys who will be disappointed not to start but you can only pick eleven and everyone has the opportunity to stake a claim,” Deery insisted.
“It’s highly likely I will use 14 players on the day because we have a tight squad and any one of our 18 could start the game so I’ve always been a believer in making use of the substitutes as well.”
The manager also encouraged people to come out and support his side as they prepare for a massive challenge.
“I think it will be a good game for the neutrals to come out and watch us and see what we can do against a big side like Linfield,” Deery said.
“They have a good following, a lot of whom I’m sure will make the journey down, so it will be a good occasion for everyone involved.
“As a manger I very much want to win and I really hope that we can go out there and cause an upset,” he concluded.

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