Despite nothing to show for their efforts thus far, Bourneview Mill manager Mark Jackson has put his full trust in his squad.
Yes, the committed Pepperton Park boss knows his club isn't in the same position as several managers in the division when it comes to attracting big name signings, but he nevertheless believes his boys possess the characteristics needed to survive in Intermediate A.
“On average we would have 28 at training each Tuesday and Thursday night and they all put it in, there's no slackers” said Jackson.
“Many of those players would also volunteer to help out any time there is work to be done because the club means so much to them.
“Even the new lads that we've got in, such as keeper Mark Krustins, defenders Daniel Hume and Kris Calvert and winger Craig Smith have all bought in to what Bourneview Mill is about.
“Don't get me wrong, results have been frustrating and we need to improve, but I've every faith that with the squad we have will bounce back.”
Bourneview head coach Neil Brown is also confident results will turn, although he points to the loss of experienced goalkeeper Wilson McKinstry as an important factor in how they've started the season.
“William came to us from Tullyvallen Rangers and at the end of last season he informed us he was going back to them,” explained the former left-back.
“Losing a player of his experience, especially a goalkeeper, has always a knock-on effect. We signed Mark Krustins who is decent but I think it always takes a bit of time for a keeper to get to know his defenders.”
And just to illustrate what the Mill are missing between the sticks, McKinstry was named man-of-the-match for Tullyvalley on Saturday when he helped the Intermediate B outfit beat Banbridge Rangers 5-1 at their Newtownhamilton home to knock the league champions out of the Bob Radcliffe Cup at the first round stage.
