Town team can cause an upset against Premiership side says boss Watson

They were drawn against Premiership new-boys Carrick Rangers in the fifth round, to be played on Saturday 9th January.

And after their name was drawn at home to Gary Haveron’s side, the Banbridge manager was delighted.

“It’s a home tie against a Premiership team so that’s what we wanted,” he said.

“Of course it would have been nice to get one of the top, top teams but Carrick are a well supported club.

“They will bring a decent crowd down and it makes for a good atmosphere at Crystal Park.”

Once the two teams get out onto the Crystal Park surface, Watson certainly doesn’t think a result is beyond his in-form squad.

“You just never know,” he said. “Maybe they won’t produce the goods and we will play to our level. If that happens, we could produce a shock.

“Form sometimes comes into these games but the old cliche is that it goes out the window. You just don’t know.

“It’s still a wee bit away but it’s great have it on the back burner and to give us something to look forward to.”

Although the Cup game is still over two weeks away, Watson has already been doing his homework by taking in Carrick’s 2-0 defeat to Linfield in the semi-final of the County Antrim Shield.

“They reached the last four of a senior cup so perhaps thir league position isn’t telling the full story,” he said.

“They look a big, strong team full of players who work very hard.”

Town will, of course, be coming up against top marksman Miguel Chines, who has has proved his worth in the top division so far this season.

“Miguel looks a real threat,” admitted Watson. “He was probably the best attacking player on the pitch the night I watched them against Linfield. Hopefully he has a bad day and our defenders have a good one.”