INSTITUTE: '˜Win and a draw and we are in the Premiership' - Deery

Institute boss Kevin Deery feels their Intermediate Cup success could be another turning point as their season draws to a close.

The Waterside men face Ballinamallard United at the Riverside Stadium, in the first leg of a the promotion play-off, this Friday (KO 7.45pm) and Deery just wants his young side to give it a right go.

Stute continue to show great character and Deery wants his players to roll their sleeves up for two more matches.

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“The winning experience at Windsor Park on Monday night, could be the turning point for us,” he said.

“I feel away to Larne when we needed to win a few weeks ago, we stepped up to the mark and the players stepped up to the mark against Ards in a showpiece final at Windsor Park, so my players deserve a lot of credit.

“We have a good young hungry team and you never know what might happen.

“All I asked my players was to get us a crack at promotion and we have that chance and we all can’t wait for Friday night and I feel the best team over the two legs will win.”
Deery also confirmed that he told his players over the weekend that they need two victories and one draw and they could achieve a remarkable season.

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“After Monday night’s victory all we need now is a win and a draw and we’ll be playing in the Premiership next season,” he added.

“You wouldn’t have thought that when we had four points from a possible 21 at the start of the season and that’s what we had, but we kept encouraging the boys and always talked about the teams in and around the promotion places and never talked about teams in the bottom half of the table.

“I would say that the pressure is on them, because speaking to everyone at the club, they are all delighted with how the season has went so far, but we always wanted a crack at the play-off and that’s what we have.”

The Drumahoe club have injury concerns with Robbie Hume, but they do welcome back duo Niall Grace and ex-Ballinamallard United man Michael McCrudden and Deery feels those two could make an impact.

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“Niall and Mickey are two of our big players and it’s great to have them back,” he added.

“People could see my bench tonight we had a lot of young boys and we are stretched a wee bit, as Robbie is still struggling with a knee problem, but we’ll get on with it.

“And nights like Monday evening makes everything worth it, you can also look players in the eye and remind them, when I told them to stick at it, keep working hard, it all paid off, but we still have two more cup finals coming up, so there hasn’t been any celebrations.”