Institute vs Warrenpoint Town: Tipping Point

Institute face the beast this weekend for a third time in the season as league leaders Warrenpoint Town visit the Riverside.

The Milltown team are the only ones to have beaten ‘Stute in both of their encounters to date and it has gone a long way in putting in place the 13 point gap that currently stands between the teams.

Institute made an excellent start to the post-split fixtures by coming from behind against Dergview to snatch victory – their first against them in four games. It sealed two wins on the bounce for the Blues following on from their victory over Knockbreda after losing three in a row.

Similarly, this week’s visitors made a statement of their intent after the league split when they beat second placed Ballyclare Comrades 4-0. It was a result that worked in favour of Kevin Deery’s team, who are now just one point behind the Reds.

Reflecting on that win over Dergview last week, the manager said it was the perfect building block going into a crunch clash.

“I think we needed that win badly and it’s enabled us to start going on a bit of a run which will hopefully continue,” Deery told the Derry News.

“Of all the times we’ve played them it was actually the one where they probably dominated more and we were fortunate they didn’t take more of their chances in the first half an hour.

“Looking back on the video though I would say we had a few opportunities ourselves so in the end I was glad we came out on the right side of it,” he added.

While he was pleased to see Niall Grace and top scorer Michael McCrudden amongst the goals, Deery said his team must improve their number of clean sheets in the latter stage of the season.

“Goals is an area I feel we’ve most definitely improved on this year but when it comes to clean sheets we’re nowhere near. It’s something I would be very keen for us to get back into,” the manager explained.

“We need to nullify the threats on our end and do what we can to concede less goals and we’ll see where that takes us.”

Though they have fallen twice already to Warrenpoint this season, the manager insisted his team must go into this game with no fear – especially given that there has only been one goal in it on both occasions.

“We are determined and prepared to go all out for the win and I think that’s the right attitude to have,” Deery said.

“We don’t want to be adjusting our game simply because of who we’re playing and I think the fact that the two games this season have been tight shows you how tough it was. I doubt anyone on the Warrenpoint side would disagree with that.”

With ‘Stute just one point off Ballyclare, and thirteen away from Warrenpoint, Deery said his team are focused on cutting the gap down on the league leaders.

“We want to beat Warrenpoint and peg them back by at least three points because mathematically it’s still on, even if it is a tough ask,” insisted the manager.

“We really have to win every game to have a chance but we’ve got one down and now there’s 27 more points up for grabs. We want to get these first four games done and then we’ll look at it and see where we are.”

While there are a ‘few niggles’ in the team, the manager said it is now time for his players to push through.

“There’s a couple of issues but this is the point in the season where we need boys to be breaking through that barrier because a lot is on the line. If we don’t leave it all out there then we will end up getting left behind.”

The fixture list has been kind in giving ‘Stute two home fixtures to start and, with one win already in the bag, the manager said it would be good to get another result ahead of two tough away games against PSNI and Loughgall.

“They’re two tough venues to be travelling to and we’ve learned that already this season,” recalled Deery.

“They are two surprise packages in the top six. I would say plenty of people would have anticipated Welders and Larne would be in there.

“If we can beat Warrenpoint on Saturday then we have to fancy our chances. Having said that, we lost to PSNI four weeks ago so nothing is guaranteed. We’ll just keep looking forward,” he added.

January signing Raymond Foy has drawn particular praise for his performances since arriving at the Riverside, and the manager was keen to applaud the efforts of his experienced midfielder.

“He gives us something different. We have a lot of technically good players but Raymond brings a lot of steel to the team that we were maybe missing,” admitted Deery.

“He doesn’t like to be bullied and it’s good to have him up to speed with the games now. Previously against Warrenpoint we were outmuscled a few times and that’s where Raymond will really help us this weekend, and in the upcoming games as well.”