‘Make every ball count’ says skipper

Lisburn must make every ball count tomorrow (Saturday) if they’re to win their relegation tussle with Muckamore.
Dame Mary Peters, assisted by the hockey captains, cuts a tape to open Wallace High School's new astro turf hockey pitch. US1426-518cd Picture: Cliff DonaldsonDame Mary Peters, assisted by the hockey captains, cuts a tape to open Wallace High School's new astro turf hockey pitch. US1426-518cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson
Dame Mary Peters, assisted by the hockey captains, cuts a tape to open Wallace High School's new astro turf hockey pitch. US1426-518cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson

That’s the warning from club captain David Simpson as he welcomes back professional Darryl Brown from a knee injury for this weekend’s game at Wallace Park.

Before the first ball of the season, he had been hopeful of a top four finish and a good Cup run. However, with four final ball defeats already, Lisburn are languishing near the foot of the table, just one league win to their name and above only Ballymena and Saturday’s opponents.

“This is a big game for us,” admitted Simpson.

Darryl Brown is to return from a knee injury to face Muckamore this weekend US1331-514cdDarryl Brown is to return from a knee injury to face Muckamore this weekend US1331-514cd
Darryl Brown is to return from a knee injury to face Muckamore this weekend US1331-514cd

“We need to focus on every ball and make every one count. We lost those games on the last ball but then you think to earlier in the match when we could have done a little better.

“Results haven’t gone for Muckamore so far this year but they’re a dangerous side. On their day, they’re capable of turning someone over. We have to make sure it isn’t us.”

Defeat to basement side Muckamore is unthinkable for the Wallace Park side, who need a turnaround in results to pull away from bottom spot.

It has certainly been a frustrating campaign for Lisburn so far as they’ve already crashed out of the Irish Senior Cup, the Challenge Cup, the Ulster Cup and the Twenty20 Cup, two of those defeats coming off that unfavourable final ball of the match.

Going in to this weekend’s crunch tie against a Muckamore side who have also already bowed out of all four cup competitions, there’s no room for error for Lisburn.

“We’re not doing an awful lot wrong, we just need something to turn,” says Simpson.

If ever there was a golden opportunity for that positive result to arrive, surely it’s Saturday afternoon. As well as losing all four of their Cup games, Muckamore are still pointless in the Premier League, having been dumped fairly convincingly in all four league outings.

If Lisburn batsman Craig Ervine has anywhere near as good a day as he had last weekend, surely he’ll have a field day.

Ervine, of course, totted up a stunning 200 not out during the final ball defeat to Donemana, including as many as 20 sixes and 14 fours.

“It was a phenomenal innings,” said Simpson. “It was one of, if not the best, innings I’ve ever seen. He just went into a different gear but it makes the result so much more disappointing.

“On Donemana’s small ground, 275 is an average team score or even slightly below par.

“Craig made 140 at Lurgan last year so he is well capable of those big scores. He has that ability. Hopefully that’s something really clicking with him and he can continue in that form now.

“We need to bat round him. There are 10 others guys out there and we all need to give Craig the support.

“We have to try and focus on the positives. Craig obviously batted well last week, I got 37 odd runs and (Richard) McConkey bowled well.”

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