Crucial derby for Derg and Ducks

THE players of Dergview and Ballinamallard United rarely need motivation when it comes to derby day between the Lough 41 Championship rivals.

However there’s a little more than usual riding on Saturday’s meeting of the sides at Ferney Park – the last league game before the end-of-season split.

Mathematically the Mallards are still in with a shot at promotion, despite a number of disappointing results in recent times, while Dergview can finish in the top six for the first time in a long time if they win and Ards are beaten by HW Welders.

For different reasons it’s a must win game for both sides. A defeat or a draw will be no good to either side’s ambitions as the season reaches it’s climax.

The local rivals have played each other twice this season. The sides drew 1-1 at Ferney early in the campaign but on Boxing Day the Derg men claimed the bragging rights with a 2-0 victory at Darragh Park.

Following Saturday’s encounter, the sides will again lock horns seven days later in the final of the North West Senior Cup at the Castlederg venue.

Needless to say thoughts of that showpiece decider will be put firmly on the back burner for the meantime as the arch rivals focus fully on Saturday’s showdown at Ferney.

Dergview’s form has been patchy of late although manager Tommy Canning believes Saturday’s surprise victory at the Welders will have given his players the belief that they can finish the season with something of a flourish, starting this coming weekend.

“Saturday’s win at HW Welders will do us the world of good in terms of belief,” said the Strabane man.

“There is only six points between the teams and I think that is a fair enough gap.

“I think it’s a realistic gap between the two teams, I don’t think there’s a huge amount between us.

“Look we have beaten them at Darragh Park in the Boxing Day game quite comfortably and I suppose the challenge for us is can we go and replicate that type of performance away from home.

“Winning away at the Welders wasn’t easy but it’ll give us a wee bit of confidence.

“It’s a derby game and a great game to finish the regular season before the split, a great game.

“I suppose both clubs might have a wee eye on the following week in terms of the cup final. That might dictate some of the selections and personnel, although having lost at Loughgall Ballinamallard will be looking maximum points to stay in the hunt for promotion.

“We are excited by the challenge and we’re certainly looking forward to it.”

Dergview have a number of players unavailable for the trip to Fermanagh including Graham Crown, Kieran Farren, Keenan Diver and possibly Niall Fielding.

As things stand in the league table the Mallards are on 52 points, 11 behind leaders Newry City and seven adrift of second placed Annagh United. Dergview meanwhile are seventh on 43 points, two behind sixth-placed Ards.