Carryduff Colts best ever season in senior football hurtles to an exciting climax this weekend when new title favourites Annalong Swifts come to town.
The players were delighted with the support they got in the massive win against league leaders and champions Ballyvea a fortnight ago and are hoping for a similar turnout at Lough Moss on Saturday.
Having inflicted Ballyvea’s first defeat in nearly two seasons, the Colts face an Annalong side who are now in pole position to win the league if they win all their games in hand. With a total of 20 games each to play, the current league positions are:
P Pts GD
1. Ballyvea 17 42 (+36)
2. Carryduff Colts 16 35 (+34)
3. Annalong Swifts 12 29 (+25)
If Colts can defeat them both times in the double header this weekend at home and again at their pitch the following week, second place on goal difference with be in their own hands. Furthermore, with Ballyvea facing difficult trips to both Annalong and fifth placed Killough, any slip up on their part will see Colts in with a real title chance.
Last weekend, Ballyvea had to rely on a last minute winner against Newcastle Swifts so having lost at Lough Moss and narrowly winning last week they may be vulnerable to a slip up or two.
Manager Eamon Deeny said: “We are unbeaten in our last 10 league games, including eight wins, and are the form team in this league. We have played and beaten every team except Annalong and Mourne Rovers, who we both play twice to round off our season. The team is playing with great confidence, we are playing great football and anyone who has come and watched us will know how good we are.
“We are still a very young team in senior football terms and we will just get stronger in the years to come. We still hold out hope we can win it this year but if not we will be back bigger and stronger next season. Meantime, I hope all the people who came along to the Ballyvea game and more will be back this weekend to get behind the team. Sure what else would you be doing on a Saturday afternoon!”
The match is a 2pm kick off at Lough Moss while the Seconds, who have no league game this week, but are preparing for a cup semi-final the following Saturday, will play a local derby friendly against Carryduff Athletic also at Lough Moss.