Ferguson seeks United response against Institute

Glenn Ferguson has urged his Ballymena United players to bounce back quickly from the disappointment of their first defeat of the season at the weekend.
Ballymena United manager Glenn Ferguson. Picture: Pacemaker.Ballymena United manager Glenn Ferguson. Picture: Pacemaker.
Ballymena United manager Glenn Ferguson. Picture: Pacemaker.

The Sky Blues relinquished the lead in the Danske Bank Premiership - on goal difference - to Cliftonville after losing at Glenavon on Friday night.

Ahead of a vital week which sees a home game against newly-promoted Institute tonight (Tuesday, 7.45pm) and a weekend trip to Ballinamallard, Ferguson believes United can maintain their lofty position in the league table.

“Unfortunately we fell a wee bit short on Friday night but we will come back for Tuesday.

“The niggly injuries and suspensions are testing the squad to the limit.

People look at those games and say they are games you should be winning.

“I’ve said it so many times that teams in this league are capable of beating each other on any given day.

“Institute and Ballinamallard will have the same idea and a gameplan in place but we will have to try to overcome that.

Ferguson will be without skipper Allan Jenkins - automatically suspended following his red card at Mourneview Park - for tonight’s game but the Scot will be eligible for the trip to Ferney Park, before serving an additional two-game ban for violent conduct later this month.

Midfielders Gary Thompson and Brian McCaul are expected to come into the panel, while defender Kyle McVey may also be recalled after recovering from injury.