IFA C’Ship One: Deery still wants 'Stute ‘to play with freedom’

Institute travel to Knockbreda for an IFA Championship One clash this afternoon, buoyed by their recent cup exploits and manager Kevin Deery wanting his players to “play with freedom” despite their lowly league position (kick-off 3.00pm).

“I’m hoping so,” said Deery (pictured). “There hasn’t been a great deal wrong in the performances so far, outside of the Limavady defeat where they were hungrier than us.

“Every league game I think we’ve been really unfortunate and I think the win will get the monkey off our backs. It’s early in the season so we’ll not get too uptight. I still want my players to play with freedom.

“Some teams have managed to scrape ten points but we’re unfortunate not to be sitting right up the other end of the table. But that’s the hand we’ve been dealt and we have to bounce back this Saturday and get a win.”

Successive defeats to H&W Welders, Annagh United and Loughgall gave Deery an August to forget. But since then the green shoots of recovery have begun to sprout amidst the early September sunshine.

Last Saturday’s penalty kick shootout win over neighbours Oxford United Stars in the Craig Memorial Cup stretched Institute’s unbeaten run to three.

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