Haveron knows ‘Breda will prove hard to break down

Another three points last Saturday left Gary Haveron happy, especially as he was forced to pull on the boots against for the first in six months.
Carrick Rangers' Gary Haveron and Ballyclare Comrades' Chris Trussell at Dixon Park. INLT 15-430-PRCarrick Rangers' Gary Haveron and Ballyclare Comrades' Chris Trussell at Dixon Park. INLT 15-430-PR
Carrick Rangers' Gary Haveron and Ballyclare Comrades' Chris Trussell at Dixon Park. INLT 15-430-PR

But another blank Saturday this week leaves him feeling a little bit fed up with the fixtures-makers.

“It was great to get the win and I was delighted to play a small part in it. But these Saturdays without games are really frustrating,” said Haveron in the wake of the 1-0 away victory over Ballyclare Comrades.

“This is a huge game now against Knockbreda, a good big and strong side. But I would rather have been playing them on Saturday than on Monday night, because there a vast difference for all concerned, but especially the players.

“Just take Aaron Harmon, who scored the decisive goal at Dixon Park, as a single example. He is a roofer by trade, so he’ll be out in the elements on a roof somewhere for the bulk of the day – and then he has to rush home and get a bite to eat and head off to play a massive game for us.

“And you can come up with dozens of situations on both sides where it is far from desirable to be playing on a week night, and that’s not to mention all the people behind the scenes and, of course the supporters who have to dig deep for travel and gate money to give their backing.

“It will be a tough task for us. We know that because they have already beaten us once this season, in the Intermediate Cup, and they will be keen to get a good start to what are crucially important back-to-back fixtures between the teams.

“They haven’t had many wins in the last few outings, but they have been playing well and Saturday’s scoreless draw away to Institute is a great result.

“They have a terrific defence and are notoriously difficult to break down. But I always say that I have great belief in my team and we can beat anybody if we play to our potential,” added the manager, who explained that he didn’t play by choice on Saturday.

“David Bell had been due to be playing left-back but rang me to say that he was too sick to play. With Ciaran Donaghy already out and Damian Curran away at a family wedding, I had a discussion with my assistant Steven Mills and Graeme Arthur, who’s also on the coaching staff, as well as the physio and a couple of others, and they unanimously decided that I should play.”