Antrim manager Lenny Harbison looking forward to the visit of Wicklow and hoping his side can make it three wins from three starts in division 4 of the NFL.
NFL Division 4 preview
Antrim v Wicklow
Antrim look to continue on the winning trail on Sunday when they play hosts to Wicklow in the third round of the Allianz N F League division 4 back on the Corrigan arena.
The Saffron’s do remain unbeaten after back to back victories gained over Leitrim and Waterford respectively and Lenny Harbinson’s charges have impressed in the process.
Harbinson was more than pleased with the opening win gained over Leitrim and although his charges continued in winning ways ‘on the road’ on Sunday the new man in charge is looking for improvement.
‘We fully expected a tough test in Waterford, and I’m more than pleased with the win and the addition of the points gained’.
The Antrim manager was more than aware of the challenge posed by the Deise on their own sod and pointed to the fact that they had impressed in their opening round game at Wicklow coming from well off the pace to gain a share of the spoils.
‘They had performed with great credit in the championship last year both against Cork and Derry, he said and we took nothing from granted in this one
I was delighted with the win but I am not at all happy with the fact that we eased off the pedal in the latter stages and we obviously still have plenty of work to do’.
Antrim did struggle in their away fixtures last term and failure to gain a win outside of their own domain was a leading factor in relegation.
Harbinson does admit that those fixtures away from home are more difficult but adding, ‘there are certainly slight disadvantage in away games and a few twists and turns are more than possible but I am really looking forward to the challenges and will make full use of the fact that we can utilise the time together as a squad to best advantage’.
The Saffron’s do have a couple of tough assignments ahead after the Wicklow game as they are off to meet up with the Exiles in London on 25th Feb and on the road again the following week as they travel to Laois.
London gave Carlow a test in round one and proved too strong for Wicklow last week and Laois remain unbeaten and are favourites for promotion.
Antrim will start as firm favourites this week-end as they welcome the men from the Garden county who seem to be struggling to get on the positive trail.
John Evans has take the reins at Wicklow and after letting a five point lead slip in the latter stages in their opening round when Waterford came strong to share the spoils they were upended in London at Ruislip on Sunday last.
The ‘exiles’ who included seven players born in London crossed the line with quite a bit to spare at 1-16 to 0-10 and caused an upset.
The Saffron’s may well start with much the same formation as in Waterford and although they would do well to treat the threat posed by the wounded Wicklow men with some caution Lenny Harbinson’s men should continue in winning ways.