TOMORROW we welcome the players, officials and supporters of PSNI Football Club to Inver Park.
Following last week’s impressive performance against Limavady, another positive result would take us into a fifteenth month unbeaten at home and set up what is already sure to be a mouth-watering clash with Dundela on December 8th.
As the gaffer reiterates every week however, we take one game, one challenge at a time and to that end PSNI will be afforded the same respect as every other team who sets up against us. The mindsets, the work ethic and the professionalism of this group will not allow for anything less.
Colin Malone is getting a tune out his relatively new charges, as recent results, including the scalp of Portadown bear testament to, it’s sure to be a battle but it’s one we relish and have prepared well for. Let’s see what happens after ninety minutes.
The performance last week was breathtaking in parts and in saying this I am in no way being condescending to our opponents Limavady United, but on another day, we could have had double figures.
In fairness, Limavady came to play football and they deserve massive credit for that, indeed during a twenty-minute spell at the beginning of the second half they controlled plenty of the play and caused us problems without breaching our ever resolute rear-guard. Having weathered this pressure the boys rediscovered their ‘mojo’ and finished the job off extremely professionally. I wish our friends from over the hill sincere good wishes for the remainder of the season.
Before moving on from tomorrow, I look forward to welcoming my old friend Trevor McMullan back ‘home’ as he joins us to promote his new book ‘Seven Soccer Skills’.
Trevor a stalwart of the club during the halcyon years under Paul Malone was a much-loved figure and is sure to receive a fantastic welcome from the faithful. Let’s try and help Trevor along with a few book sales for the Christmas stockings.
You will have seen over the last week that we have partnered the Red and White Army with the Salvation Army to launch a Christmas Toy Appeal, to help families and kids within our own community this festive period. My wife Karen is driving this for us and any gift no matter how big or small will be greatly appreciated. If you look for Karen, Ellie or Lyn tomorrow, gifts will be collected into the boardroom. Thanks in advance…
On the Christmas theme, wasn’t the lights switch on last Friday evening in the town a massive success? Having the club invited to lead the procession and perform the switch on ceremony was a huge honour and only goes to show how our relationships with the council and the townsfolk have grown in the past twelve months. I would like to thank the CEO, the Mayor and the sea of smiling faces who greeted us for their continued support.
I hope we can continue to build on these foundations in the future and pay everyone back with another such night, possibly parading a little silverware down Main Street. You gotta dream big…!
Before concluding, can I urge everyone to come out in numbers and support us on Tuesday night at Seaview in our Toals Co. Antrim Shield semi-final. We are ninety minutes away from a senior cup final and you, the fans, have a massive part to play in trying to get us there.
The boys on the park will give it their all and I fully expect to see and hear the 12th man of the #RAWA do the same. Together we can do this.
Finally, can I thank The Curran Court Hotel for their continued sponsorship of our pre-match preparations, Graham’s Pizza for our post-match food, our match sponsor The Ballylumford Club, our match ball sponsors Larne NISC and Mr. John Semple LFSC Station Road and our Man of the Match sponsor, Classic Drinks in conjunction with Vallformosa.
See you at the church end…
Regards
Gareth
#RAWA
