McAree excited to get started

COLERAINE manager Rodney McAree spoke to the media after watching his new club from the sidelines as the Bannsiders failed to find the target against Ards…

Despite creating numerous opportunities at the Bangor Fuels Arena, the Stripes couldn’t find the back of the net as a combination of good goalkeeping and the crossbar kept the Irish Cup holders at bay.

McAree believes his players were unlucky to not register all three points but has challenged them to replicate their second-half performance in upcoming games.

“It was a frustrating afternoon as I believe over the 90 minutes, we’ve done enough to win the game,” he said.

“We’ve created enough half and clear cut chances and on another day we score two and three, and run out easy enough winners.

“Ards set themselves up to be hard to break down and they were very well drilled, but we believe that if we scored first, we would have gone on to score two or three.

“I think the amount of half chances we created, as well as Lowry having a shot saved by the ‘keeper’s head from three yards, on another day those chances find the back of the net.

“You’re finding yourself very unfortunate that we couldn’t convert one of our chances and we’ve hit the crossbar twice in the first-half.”

The former Dungannon Swifts supremo insists he is looking forward to getting out on the training pitch this week.

“I don’t think there’s too much wrong with the structures that are in place,” he added.

“The guys who were in charge are extremely experienced and very good at their job. The decisions that they made today are ones that I would probably have made myself.

“You probably want to reach the standard of the second-half a bit quicker, probably hoping to start the game on the front foot and play to the energy and tempo that we did in the second-half.

“I think if we can get to that level that little bit sooner then you give yourself more opportunities of winning.

“I’m looking forward to getting to the training pitch and getting out there.

“I’ve tried to do what I can up to this moment in time but it has now been handed over to me.

“It’s still the same group of players and staff that will be driving the club forward.”

The Bannsiders were also dealt a blow as Josh Carson was unable to play a part, as well as Gareth McConaghie who had to be taken to hospital after the game.

“We didn’t have too much luck today,” McAree concluded.

“Losing Josh Carson who is having a great season so far and is a huge, influential player and a great lad it was unfortunate.

“I think pulling him out today was more of a precaution to make sure that he has every chance to play next week. We didn’t want to play him today and then he could be out for three or four weeks.

“Gareth started the game extremely well and again it was unfortunate that he had to come off. I can only hope that he is okay and it’s just a knock.”