Ferguson admits Crumlin Star tie is ‘step into unknown’

The Sky Blues take on the Amateur League outfit at the Showgrounds (3pm) as they bid to go one better than last year’s run in the premiere knockout competition, where they lost to Glenavon in the final.

United go into the game on the back of two straight defeats over the new year period and are currently leaking goals at an alarming rate.

“It will be a tough game,” admitted Ferguson.

“They will be well rested because I believe they haven’t had a game for three or four weeks.

“I’m sure they’ve trained hard and had us watched and I’m sure they’ll fancy their chances of getting a couple of goals. We have to try and work hard defensively during the week.

“Joe McCall watched them the last game they played but other than that, we’ll just have to try to get as much information as we can.

“It’s a slight step into the unknown but we know a few of their players and how they play from Joe’s report but that can all go out the window in cup football.

“If they get the breakthrough first it could be a difficult afternoon whereas if we can score early on, the game could be comfortable for a change,” added Ferguson, who won’t be able to play new signing Eamon McAllister.

The former Crusaders and Donegal Celtic winger is ineligible after playing for Ards in a previous round of the competition.

* Anyone intending to travel on Seven Towers Supporters’ Club transport to the League Cup final this month should contact Tommy Patterson (2564 8732) or Uel Allen (2564 2903) to buy a bus ticket.