‘We’re involved in a dog-fight for survival’
Thursday, 20 November 2008
Pensive mood ..... Roy Walker, who admits United are in a dog-fight for Premier League surviival.
Roy Walker admits Ballymena United are now involved in a dog-fight to stay in the JJB Sports Irish Premier League, writes Shaun O'Neill.
“It is time the players also realised this," fumed the Sky Blues manager, who was sent-off during the weekend League clash with Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park.
To add further to the Showgrounds sides' woes centre-half Albert Watson was stretchered off with a nasty gash on his leg - and Aidan Watson was sent off a second bookable offence.
United, who played virtually all the second half with 10-men after Aidan's departure, thought they had earned a point when striker Neil Teggart banged home the equaliser.
But the visitors were hit a double killer blow when the home side scored the winner - and then they had a clear-cut call for a penalty ignored by Referee Mr. Raymond Crangle. It was the 'penalty' incident which led to boss Walker receiving his marching orders!
The ball came his way on the touchline - but he had stepped on to the pitch, and he booted the ball out of instinct.
Now he will have to pay penalty.
The fact that teenage full-back Lee Colligan had been floored inside the box - none of the men in black seemed to spot that - counted for nothing.
In the heat of the moment Walker, just on the pitch, kicked the ball away - and that was immediately taken issue with. Speaking to Guardian Sport after the game Walker admitted he was silly to have kicked the ball away.
He pointed out that the Referee later apologised to him, outlining he had not seen the incident in which Colligan was fouled in the area.
“He missed a major incident which could have earned us a share of the points," summed up Walker.
The boss said he would really like to see the assessor's report on the incident.
United are bottom of the Premier League with eight points from 16 games.
Swifts are five points ahead of them, with a game in hand, and Glenavon are four points ahead of United - but have two games in hand.
“I do feel we must realise that it will be a dog-fight for our survival in the Premier," he declared.
With this in mind he demands a win this Saturday against Institute at the Showgrounds (3pm).
Walker will be without the suspended Aidan Watson for the battle.
The United player was sent off against Dungannon - minutes after being warned to be careful by Walker.
Walker was naturally annoyed at the sending off, which left his side with 10-men for virtually the entire second half.
“I told Aidan, who had been booked in the first half, if he did not watch himself he could get sent off," recalled Walker.
Meanwhile, it is not yet certain just how long Albert Watson will be out of football.
The 23-year-old sustained a serious leg injury - a gash, where the bone was exposed, which needed eight stitches.
Watson, is naturally out of the Northern Ireland Under-23 side to face Slovakia in the Challenge Trophy Group game tonight (Tuesday) in Senic.
Incidentally Watson's team-mate Craig McClean is also out of the squad through injury.
* Talented young Lee Colligan has been called into the Northern Ireland Under-21 side for the Cashback international match with Scotland New Douglas Park in Hamilton tonight (Tuesday). Colligan teams up with United 'keeper Sean O'Neill.
