LEE Feeney admits he has a selection headache for this weekend as he prepares his side for the visit of Ballymena United to Clandeboye Park on Saturday (3pm).
The Bangor manager made eight changes to his starting lineup for Tuesday night’s BetMcLean Cup tie against Larne – and Feeney was left delighted with the performance from his rotated team.
Despite exiting the competition, the Seasiders pushed Larne all the way – and now Feeney must decide on his starting 11 as Bangor get back to Premiership duties.
“We made a load of changes and freshened things up. There were some boys playing who haven’t had many minutes recently and I thought they did really well,” reflected Feeney.
“That gives me something to think about ahead of Saturday, because there were some excellent performances and that’s what I want from our squad.
“While we rotated our team, Larne were full strength and we went toe to toe with them – we caused them a lot of problems and for the third time this season it took Larne to score a special goal to get the better of us.”
While there were plenty of pleasing performances for Feeney, the Bangor boss was impressed with defender Alfie Mitchell.
The teenager joined his home town team from Cliftonville in August and has made a good impression on his new manager in his three senior appearances this season.
“I was really pleased with all the performances but particularly Alfie Mitchell who was exceptional,” said Feeney.
“He’s only 17 years of age and he’s not fazed by any challenge that comes his way. He was so good in defence and I was really pleased for him because he’s a really talented boy.”
Ballymena United’s trip to Clandeboye Park will give Bangor the opportunity to bounce back in the Premiership after they suffered a late defeat to Carrick Rangers last Friday night – a result that frustrated Lee Feeney.
Jim Ervin’s side comfortably saw off Bangor at the Showgrounds earlier this season but now find themselves three points behind the Seasiders. Despite losing their last four league outings – all against the current top four teams in the Premiership – Feeney knows the Braidmen will be confident coming to Clandeboye Park this Saturday.
“Last Friday night was a hard one to take because of the manner that we lost the game,” admitted Feeney.
“We didn’t play well and to be honest I don’t think Carrick Rangers played well either – neither side did enough to win the game and a draw would have been a fair result but that’s not how it turned out.
“A year or two ago we would be accepting defeats like that and patting each other on the back saying hard luck, but that’s not us anymore.
“We expect to get something out of every game and when we don’t then we’re disappointed. The performance against Larne was a good reaction and we’ll be looking to carry that into this Saturday.
“Ballymena United have had a tough run of fixtures recently and they will be expecting to come to Clandeboye Park to beat us.
“They have a really talented squad with plenty of experience, and we’re going to have to deal with everything that comes our way.
“We’ll be doing everything we can to make sure we’re the team that comes away with the win.”
