Ballyclare Comrades boss Paul Harbinson says “getting back on the horse” is a lot more important than targeting a Co Antrim Shield shock against Crusaders tonight.
The Dixon Park men are nursing a hangover from Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Loughgall, a result that stopped them from going joint-top of the Championship.
And Harbinson is keen to put things right after what he described as “probably our worst performance” of the season to date.
Ahead of Tusday night's rescheduled quarter-final with the Crues, he said: “We didn’t show up against Loughgall and we really need to get back on the horse.
“People talk about a ‘free hit’ in cup competitions and it is in a way, but it’s more an opportunity for us to blow the cobwebs out.
“I’m not overly concerned about winning the County Antrim Shield, I’m more concerned that our performances improve in the league.
“If we want to stay in this group in the top three (with Ards and Newry City) it’s going to be a fight. It’s all about using Tuesday night to help us prepare for the league.”
Elsewhere, Linfield host PSNI in the last-16 of the BetMcLean League Cup, with Dungannon Swifts travelling to Limavady United.
The winners of the Linfield tie will progress to meet Ballymena United in the quarter-finals on November 9.
COUNTY ANTRIM SHIELD QF: Ballyclare Comrades v Crusaders (7.45pm).
LEAGUE CUP R3: Linfield v PSNI; Limavady United v Dungannon Swifts (both 7.45pm).
