VIDEO: Ferguson pleased with Charity Shield workout

Glenn Ferguson declared himself content with Ballymena United’s last pre-season performance ahead of the new campaign.
The Ballymena United team which started Saturday's Northern Ireland Hospice Charity Shield match against Cliftonville. Picture: Press Eye.The Ballymena United team which started Saturday's Northern Ireland Hospice Charity Shield match against Cliftonville. Picture: Press Eye.
The Ballymena United team which started Saturday's Northern Ireland Hospice Charity Shield match against Cliftonville. Picture: Press Eye.

The Sky Blues drew 0-0 with Cliftonville in the Northern Ireland Hospice Charity Shield, before losing 4-2 on penalties to the league champions.

“The main positive is that it was a good hard fitness workout,” said Ferguson.

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“It also gave us a chance to see where we are against a team who are going to be challenging for most honours this season.

The Ballymena United team which started Saturday's Northern Ireland Hospice Charity Shield match against Cliftonville. Picture: Press Eye.The Ballymena United team which started Saturday's Northern Ireland Hospice Charity Shield match against Cliftonville. Picture: Press Eye.
The Ballymena United team which started Saturday's Northern Ireland Hospice Charity Shield match against Cliftonville. Picture: Press Eye.

“They had one or two players missing but it was still a good workout for us.

“We had other games we could have taken in on Saturday but this one fitted the bill more than the rest.

“It wasn’t played at 100 miles per hour like an Irish League game, there’s no disputing that but we were still playing against a quality team who knock the ball about well.

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“We had to work hard to get the ball back and that’s what we wanted. There’s no point going and playing a junior team, winning 10-0 and getting nothing out of the game.

“I was more interested in what we would get playing against the likes of Joe Gormley, Marty Murray and Marty Donnelly so to get a clean sheet at Solitude was a real positive.

“We were still looking pretty sharp at the end, there weren’t too many looking leggy, so pre-season has hopefully been good for the players.

“We were unfortunate not to score ourselves, Allan Jenkins had a couple of chances and then Mark McCullagh late on. He’s an out-and-out defender and that is what he was in the team for. He was fit enough to find himself in that position late in the game which is good.

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“We’re obviously disappointed to lose on penalties but as long as the charity won, that’s the main thing.”

Ferguson was also pleased with the contribution of new signings Matthew Tipton, who played the full game, and Kyle McVey, who came on as first half substitute for the injured Aaron Stewart.

“We know what Tippy brings to us in terms of experience, talking, organising. His touch is good and he holds the ball in and brings people into play. There’s no hiding the fact he’s going to get the ball and run away from quick defenders but he will be a threat when he gets into the box.

“Kyle McVey probably had to go on quicker than expected due to Aaron Stewart’s injury and he probably wasn’t 100 per cent ready to go on that quickly but he won headers and did what we wanted him to do. Archie felt a tweak in his hamstring and there’s no point keeping anybody on with an injury in a match like that.

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“We will see during the week. People have played themselves into contention and Darren Boyce is to come back in as he was at a family wedding.

“We have other squad members to look at and fitness levels will be checked again on Tuesday night to see who’s ready, fit and available but the likelihood is it won’t be too far away from the side which played against Cliftonville,” added Ferguson.