Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey is bracing himself for two full-time hurdles in the race to secure a top-six finish and potential European football next season.
The Sky Blues are on a 10 game unbeaten run and climbed to fourth in the table on goal difference thanks to a 2-0 win over Carrick Rangers on Tuesday night.
But stiff tests lie ahead starting with Crusaders at the Showgrounds this evening (7.30pm - live on BBC iPlayer) and Mick McDermott’s Glentoran, who lie third, at the same venue on Tuesday night.
“It’ll be the full-timers against the part-timers again,” said Jeffrey. “Two teams who would have set their sights on winning the league against a team trying to crack top six.
“It’ll be most difficult and nobody is getting carried away with where we are at the moment. We’ve just got to try and keep going. That’s the challenge.”
While United are up to fourth, Jeffrey is well aware that fifth-placed Larne, who are level on points, and Cliftonville, just two points below, both boast a game in hand.
The Crues, who got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory at Portadown midweek, are also lurking three points below in seventh.
“We’re on a positive run in the league and it’s nice to be where we are in the table, but we know that can change very quickly in a very tough league,” said Jeffrey.
“We had to dig in against Carrick on Tuesday night to get the three points and the determination and desire the players showed was exceptional. It was very pleasing.”
