Rigid Resolve!

Ballymena begin their league campaign tomorrow with a game against their closest geographical neighbours, Larne. Even though there’s only twenty miles separating the mid-Antrim men and the ‘harbour rats’, this game is still not viewed by United fans as a ‘derby game’, no that honour is reserved for the annual ‘grudge’ games against our dear friends, the Coleraine scum. Tomorrow’s game, although not a derby, does have a wee bit of added spice to it as United fans have fresh in their memory their semi-final defeat to Larne in last seasons Irish cup. Although not involved in that game, United’s new manager Tommy Wright has instilled in his players the need to be ‘up’ for this game from the outset. United will still be missing their ‘talisman’ Rory Hamill, while Stuart King’s chances of playing are fairly slim. The United manager will probably start with virtually the same line-up as last Saturday, although Gareth Scates could get the nod ahead of Aiden Watson in centre midfield. That would only leave him having to decide who replaces the doubtful, Stuart King. Our gut feeling is that he will give on-loan signing Johnny Steele the start, especially if he has accepted the extended contract, which the manager is reported to have offered him. So let’s get the season off to a winning start tomorrow, three points in convincing fashion and that’ll set us up for our big C.I.S. cup match at home to the Ports on Tuesday night. Let’s send those ‘rats’ back to the seaside with their tails between their legs, anything else is unthinkable!