WITH the JJB Premiership season finally got into full-flow, Glenavon boss, Stevie McBride, remains conscious of the need for his entire first-team squad to remain match-fit.
Consequently, a mid-season friendly has been arranged between Glenavon and Banbridge Town at Cheney Park.
“Colin Malone (the Banbridge Town manager) has been in touch,” said McBride.
“Banbridge Town have the third generation pitch at Cheney Pa
rk available to them on the first Tuesday of every month and I think they’re trying to put it to a bit of use.
“They want to get games on it and I think they want to get as good opposition as they can.
“It’ll be an opportunity for us to get some players who haven’t been playing and have been on the bench. It’s important that they get playing because when they’re called upon, at least they’re match fit.
“If they sit on the bench for three or four weeks, then you call on them and they don’t do themselves justice. Then they can rightly say, ‘Sure, when was the last time I played a game?’
“So, it’s very important that we have a full squad available. The particular five subs on a Saturday can go and play for the Reserves in mid-week, if they have a match, to get them games or go the next Saturday and bring some more substitutes to sit on the bench.”
Meanwhile, ‘Town boss, Colin Malone, is excited at the prospect of regularly testing his side against ‘superior’ opposition.
“We hope to bring a Premiership opponent to the Town every month as it will be a good workout for us plus it will allow fans to see some quality opposition and the difference in standard between the two leagues," said Malone.
The full article contains 306 words and appears in Lurgan Mail newspaper.
