Morrow set to make full Stute debut against Ballyclare tomorrow
Sammy Morrow could make his Institute debut at the perfect time this weekend, with his new club lacking a cutting edge in attack.
Manager Kevin Deery has been left frustrated in recent weeks but his team’s inability to finish opponents off, with successive draws against Dergview and Larne leaving ‘Stute six points behind IFA Championship leaders Warrenpoint having played a game more.
Against Dergview on Boxing Day, Gareth Brown missed a penalty in a 1-1 draw, while ‘Stute hit the woodwork three times against Larne on Friday night.
But with Morrow and Niall Grace, a second half substitute against Larne, back to boost the attack and with new signing Andy Devlin also set to add more experience to his side, Deery is much more optimistic ahead of this weekend’s Irish Cup tie at Ballyclare.
“It was great to see Niall getting onto the pitch,” Deery agreed he was very keen and overeager to get on; he done a lot running but it was really good to see him back on a football pitch.
“Sammy (Morrow) is going to come into the fold and we signed Andy Devlin, he played his last game for Loughgall on Friday night, so he comes into our squad.
“He has been excellent this season, he has been very consistent for Loughgall and he's a good local lad as well, who can play in a number of positions across the back so we look forward to adding him to the squad.”
Another issue for Deery to contend with ahead of a defining period in the season is his team’s disciplinary record. In those games against Dergview and Larne, ‘Stute had the advantage of an extra man following red cards to their opponents. But on each occasion, a ‘Stute player was red carded to even the numbers, with Stephen O’Donnell and Ryan Morrow both needlessly dismissed.
“I'll tell you why it's disappointing because I spoke to the two players who were booked at half-time (against Larne) and I said to them to not make silly tackles and it was absolutely needless from young Ryan Morrow,” Deery continued.
“He has been cracking for us this season, he's a cracking wee player but there was absolutely no need for the challenge and he'll probably miss one of our most important games at Ballyclare Comrades in the Irish Cup next week.
“I'm question myself what is going on in his mind because it's a needless tackle and we'll have to plan without him.
“He absolutely needs to learn, he's very keen and he's very hungry to do a good job against the man he comes up against and you can't take that out of him, but he needs to do it in the right areas and his tackle for his red card was actually lucky it didn't cost us another goal, because it was in a dangerous area. But we'll have a chat with him again and hopefully he learns from this.”
There has been little to separate Institute and Ballyclare this season with only goal difference separating them in the league. Both games between the teams have ended in score draws, with ‘Stute losing the lead non both occasions, in a 2-2 draw away in August and a 1-1 draw at the Riverside Stadium in December.
“Ballyclare beat Dergview convincingly on Friday night so they'll go into it full of confidence, but we were unlucky up there earlier in the season, as we were two goals to the good and didn't hold onto our lead,” Deery reflected.
“But I told the boys that I want to get a run in the Irish Cup because last year we were disappointing losing in the first round which we came in at, so yes it will be a tough game, but one we are capable of winning.
“Maybe our luck will change as we are in a cup tie and I told the boys that, we have drawn a lot games and haven't lost many so maybe we'll go up there and put in a real performance and get into the next round of the cup.”
Deery remains keen on a good cup run this season and safe passage in this fifth round this weekend could provide ‘Stute with a path to the Irish Cup quarterfinals.
“I was up at the draw and a lot of big games are facing each other and then you have junior teams drawing against lower league teams, so the draw could really work in our favour ,” he agreed. “There's no doubt that we have a tough opener and I'm sure Ballyclare will say the same. They have home advantage but we look forward to the tie and if we get through hopefully the draw will fall generous to us and hopefully we can go on a run in the Irish Cup.”
Institute take on Ballyclare Comrades at Dixon Park, Ballyclare tomorrow at 3pm.