Dergview host league leaders under Friday night lights

FRIDAY night football returns to Darragh Park for Dergview when league leaders Newry City roll into town this evening.

City are eight points clear of the chasing pack and at this point are firm favourties to claim the Lough 41 Championship title.

That’s not to say that Darren Mullen’s team haven’t had their set-backs this season. The table-toppers have lost five of their 26 games thus far and one of those defeats was back in late October when Dergview recorded a surprise 2-1 victory at the Newry Showgrounds.

But since the start of the new year and, with a handful of new signings on board, it does seem that Newry have the bit between their teeth.

As Loughgall, Ballinamallard United, Annagh United and HW Welders are seemingly battling it out for second spot, City have stayed ahead of the game.

They will certainly start favourites to secure another three points against Dergview whose manager Tommy Canning admits it will be a big challenge for his team against the league leaders.

“The leaders are coming to town on Friday and the game is set up already,” he said.

“I think they will come with a score to settle. They weren’t too happy that we went there in October and took three points off them.

“They look like the one team that really wants to win the league. They have laid down a marker and there is daylight between them and second place.

“Maybe up there there was a bit of complacency and we took full advantage of that. Because of that there will be no complacency from them come Friday night.

“It’s going to be a tough, tough game but at the same time it’s one of those games if you can get something out of it you’re maybe no supposed to, then that’s a bonus.”

Because of the Irish Cup last weekend Dergview had a free Saturday and Canning gave the players a well earned rest.

Last time out the Castlederg side drew 0-0 at Annagh to extend their unbeaten run to a noteworthy seven games.

Canning and his players returned to training on Monday and Wednesday and the manager has put in place a game plan which he hopes will produce a positive result.

“After the break the players returned refreshed and full of energy,” continued Canning.

“We have a couple of players carrying knocks but we’re ready for Newry. We have prepared tactically for Friday night and hopefully we can cause another upset.

“I think the night up at Newry was a bit of a line in the sand for us, a bit of a turning point when players really began to believe that if we take on the challenge week in week out it’ll not matter who we are playing we are capable of giving anyone a run for their money. That has proved to be the case since then.

“It’s sometimes a preferable position not to be favourites for a game rather having any kind of expectation and that suits us.

“At the same time we have plenty to play for. It’s not just about being the fly in the ointment for Newry, it’s also about ourselves and staying on the coat tails of the top six and putting a few wins together.

“We’re on the cusp of the top six but breaking into it will be difficult. That’s the challenge over the next seven games and none of them are going to be easy starting with Newry on Friday night.

“It’s as difficult as it comes but it’s a great challenge, a great opportunity and we should be looking forward to it.”