Crusaders v Ballinamallard (tonight, Seaview, 7.45pm)
CRUSADERS trail league leaders Coleraine by eight points and manager Stephen Baxter says his side cannot afford another under-par home performance against basement outfit Ballinamallard tonight.
The Crues have won five out-of-five on the road but have two draws and a loss to show from their last three outings at Seaview. That isn’t title-winning form according to Baxter whose side won 5-2 against city rivals Linfield on Monday night.
“Teams have been sitting in against us a bit and we have been unable to break them down,” said Baxter.
“We cannot beat Linfield away and follow it with a flat display at home.”
Crusaders stunned champions Linfield with a 5-2 triumph at Windsor Park on Monday night, a result which lifted them above the Blues and into third place in the league table.
Ballinamallard lost 5-1 at home against Crusaders in September and are bottom of the table with four points from 11 games. However, the Fermanagh outfit beat Carrick Rangers 2-0 at Ferney Park last weekend to record their first win of a difficult season.
“I was thrilled for everybody at the club and it was great to have that monkey off our back," said Mallards boss Gavin Dykes.
"But we have to push on now. After Crusaders, we are away to Coleraine, so we are testing ourselves against the best."
