Amateurs on the hunt for first win

Dromore Amateurs are still searching for their first win of the season.
Dromore Amateurs in action in their Irish Cup defeat to Lisburn Rangers. NBL1534-257EBDromore Amateurs in action in their Irish Cup defeat to Lisburn Rangers. NBL1534-257EB
Dromore Amateurs in action in their Irish Cup defeat to Lisburn Rangers. NBL1534-257EB

They won’t have it easy this weekend either when they travel to take on Bangor Swifts with a makeshift side at Spafield Park (kick-off 2pm).

“I’ll have five players missing this weekend between various things so it’s gloing to be into September before I can get a full squad available,” said boss Dean Brownlee.

“At least the Seconds haven’t started their competitive games yet so I’ll be able to take a few players up to the firsts on Saturday.”

Brownlee is expecting a tough afternoon but is confident his back line will be up to the task.

He said: “We beat them at home last year and then they beat us in the final game of the season.

“They are a very tall team and won a lot of flick-ons over the top but I’ve now got the best back four I’ve had at the club.

“All four of them are available on Saturday again so hopefully they can hold out and we can get at least a draw.”

The Amateurs were dumped out of the Irish Cup in the first round on Saturday, beaten 3-0 by Lisburn Rangers.

However, Brownlee is adamant that the scoreline wasn’t a fair reflection on the game.

“It doesn’t show the effort that our boys put in,” he told the LEADER.

“We held them out for the first half and actually had the better chances ourselves and forced their keeper into a few good saves.

“Then we gave away a sloppy goal, which was disappointing.”

Amateurs then had a chance to equalise with 15 minutes left on the clock but a spurned opportunity was to prove costly.

“If that had gone in, it would have given us a real lift,” said Brownlee, “and you never know what might have happened but it didn’t and we then got caught twice late on as we chased the game.

“If you don’t take your chances, it’s very difficult.

“I think we matched them in defence and up front but it was in midfield that they offered something different. It wasn’t what we were used to playing against at all.

“It was a good performance and the guys put eveything into it coming off the back of the 2-1 defeat to Saintfield United last week. We gave away two sloppy goals that evening as well.

“Saturday was a lot more encouraging though.”