Special occasion

COLERAINE midfielder Josh Carson insists today’s clash against Linfield has all the makings of a good game as both teams go into the clash in a consistent run of form…

The Bannsiders secured four victories in December across all competitions, whilst Linfield have won six and drawn one out of their last seven Danske Bank Premiership fixtures.

The contest will also be a rehearsal for the upcoming BetMcLean Cup final in March, with Carson excited for the challenge ahead this afternoon.

“Linfield obviously picked up a last minute win against Glentoran, and that’s Linfield for you,” he stressed.

“Everyone was writing them off a few weeks ago but it’s all changed now.

“It sets it up nicely for what should be a good game this afternoon, and it’s one we’re relishing.

“We’re obviously on a good run ourselves and both teams will be going into it up for the challenge with the best team on the day taking the three points.”

The energetic Antrim man – who signed a new three and a half year contract to round off the calendar year – was in industrious form during the Boxing Day derby success against Ballymena United.

“I enjoyed it in the midfield and left no stone unturned,” he added.

“I tried to cover every blade of grass and do my bit for the team.

“But I think all of us were brilliant on Boxing Day, you couldn’t fault anyone.

“The boys who came off the bench were brilliant, and I thought as a team we thoroughly deserved the three points.

“I think we should have been three or four up in the first half, we had a couple of good chances in the second half as well.

“But I thought the professionalism from us in the second half to kill the game was second to none.

“We had one scare late on when they hit the bar, but you’re going to get that sometimes, overall though I thought we saw it out well and deservedly took the three points.”