Walker philosophical after Premiership delay take two
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Ballymena United manager Roy Walker.
Ballymena United will hopefully have their first taste of competitive football this season when they take on Ballyclare Comrades in the first round of the County Antrim Shield tonight (Tuesday) at the Showgrounds (7.30pm), writes Kieran Hughes.
It has been a frustrating start to the season for Roy Walker's men, and the rest of the IFA Premiership, after matches were cancelled for a second successive week.
Following the referees strike on August 9, heavy rain meant the Showgrounds pitch was deemed unplayable for the visit of Lisburn Distillery on Saturday (August 16).
“It is frustrating for everybody, we were just thankful that the game didn't start, that it was called of before the players were out on the pitch. There is nothing we can do about the weather so we have to accept that," Walker told Guardian Sport.
He explained that when he arrived at the ground at around 1.30pm the game was ready to go ahead after an 11.30am inspection by an official.
The match referee held a further inspection at 1.45pm and although he deemed the surface playable he expressed his concern to the managers about the continuing heavy rainfall.
“I prepared the team as normal, we had a team-talk and were ready for the game," he said.
At 2.45pm the referee consulted the two camps and called off the game.
“To be fair he had no alternative but to call it off, the rain was getting worse and he made the right call at the end of the day," he added.
“The good thing is that we were able to train, so for the last two footballing Saturdays we have taken the chance to get the group together."
Walker was thankful for the range of facilities at his fingertips at the Showgrounds.
“On Saturday we were able to use the astroturf facility, it was the only place were water didn't really lie. I would have liked to have trained for a little longer but the gear was getting really badly soaked.
“It is a blessing and we have to all-weather pitch and plenty of grass pitches but most of them were like lakes on Saturday. Luckily we were able to find a wee bit of grass for the goalkeepers to practice too," he added.
Looking ahead to tonight's game Walker said United will not be underestimating the challenge posed by Ballyclare Comrades.
The IFA Championship side have lost their two opening fixtures of the season, at home to Ards and away to Donegal Celtic.
“It is a local derby so we have no thoughts that we are playing a team in the league below us, a local derby needs firm focus," he said.
“We know what the carrot is, if we win this one we will play Glentoran in the next round and we know that we have to beat the big teams if we want to win the competition."
