Cut our losses

Jim Magilton says the fact Cliftonville have lost both of this season’s previous meetings with Ballymena United is an indicator of how difficult a task they will face at Solitude tomorrow.

After going down 3-2 on Sports Direct Premiership duty at The Showgrounds back in September, the Reds exited the County Antrim Shield at the Sky Blues’ hands last month and Magilton expects another stern challenge when the sides renew rivalries this weekend.

“We haven’t beaten them so this year, so we’ve got to be very, very determined to get a result on Saturday,” he said.

“We acknowledge that they have very good players. Winning the games that they’ve won is no fluke because they are good players.

“They will come and present themselves on Saturday and it’s always a difficult game but we’ll be ready.”

Cliftonville enter the contest on the back of an impressive 4-1 victory over Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park last time out, but Magilton believes there are elements of that performance that can be improved on.

“There is miles more to come,” he added.

“We’ve got to limit our turnovers, I felt we gave up possession too cheaply at times, especially in the first-half.

“I wasn’t too pleased with some of the aspects of our play, but was delighted other aspects.

“We know that we can be more ruthless and we just want to reinforce the positives and work on the negatives.”

Cliftonville v Ballymena United
Saturday, November 16 (3pm)
Adults: £15
Concessions: £10
Tickets: General Sale
Members Tickets and Season Tickets valid