Carrick bid to beat backlog

“What has happened has happened, but proper covers would 100 per cent have helped solve the problems,” assured the former Premier League player.

There has been criticism in some quarters of the powers-that-be for swooping too quickly and calling off the local matches because the international was re-arranged for Saturday afternoon.

Some feel the Irish FA should have stated the games would be off in the event that the Windsor Park pitch passed the morning inspection, since 11am postponements would have inconvenienced nobody - in comparison to some recent call-offs!

And Carrick Rangers know that better than anybody; their last home game against Bangor was scrapped just six minutes before the kick-off.

The fact that the Institute pitch would have been fit to host the match against a Rangers team which has still 11 games to play in the last six weeks of the season indicates just what a blow the loss of this fixture is.

“There’s no doubt it would have eased our problem if we had been able to get that game played. We had hoped we could have slotted it in for Wednesday night, but we were unable to field a team for a match so far away at such short notice due to work commitments,” said Carrick manager Hughes.

With the forecast not promising much of an improvement, there has to be a doubt over Saturday’s home tie with Limavady United and Hughes is already thinking of a contingency plan.

“We will have to speak to all involved in relation to maybe playing the game at Seaview if Taylor’s Avenue is not playable. I’m not sure what the chances are, but Crusaders are away to Glentoran,” revealed Hughes.

He is keen to get his side up on running again, hot on the heels of their last outing - a stunning 6-0 win away to rivals Larne.

“I don’t think anyone could quibble with the scoreline. It’s not as if we had six chances and scored them all. We looked dangerous every time we went forward and it was an amazing performance by the team,” he added.

“It was tight for the first 25 to 30 minutes but we had chances and just couldn’t get the killer touch to some nice moves. But we got a lead and then took control on the second half and played some tremendous football.

“I was very confident heading to Inver Park because we are on a good wee run now and Larne just couldn’t cope with the speed of our wide men - and we could have had more goals.

“We missed a penalty in the last minute and that annoyed me because you have to treat that situation the same as if it was 0-0 and not take it any less serious because the match was won.”

He added: “What I will say is that Larne are not a bad side and I’m sure they will stay up and I do hope they will because East Antrim deserves to have two clubs as this level at least.”