Town drawn at home in Irish Cup

Town will take on Carrick Rangers while, should Rathfriland Rangers see off Abbey Villa in their fourth round tie this weekend, they will get a chance to face the Danske Bank Premiership champions Crusaders.

Rangers / Villa were drawn at home but that match will be switched to Seaview.

Town, of course, edged out Crumlin United on penalties last weekend and boss Ryan Watson desperately wants to avoid a repeat of that drama at on January ninth.

“It’s not something I want to relive,” he said after the nerves of Saturday’s sudden-death decider. “If it happens again, I’ll be in the changing room. I’m not good in those situations. You have no control over it but it was very exciting for the supporters.”

Town will learn their fate during this morning’s Cup draw but Watson isn’t sure what sort of opponent he wants.

“Everyone wants a big team at home,” he began, “but there is an argument for drawing a team who you think you can turn over.

“I don’t mind. It was just important to get there.”

The Town boss was full of praise for last Saturday’s opponents after they came within a kick of ousting his side.

“For Crumlin United, it was like their cup final and they played that way,” he said.

“They really put it up to us and gave us a very, very tough game. We were glad just to get our name in the hat for the next round. That’s what Cup football’s all about.

“The conditions levelled thing up but 3-2 ahead should have been enough for us. They were fighting for every ball and got the goal.

“Then at penalties, anything can happen.”