Timmy Adamson has promised Mossley will “make life difficult” for Portstewart as the Amateur League minnows vie for a first-ever place in the Irish Cup fifth round.
The men from the Glade have made a superb start to the season, climbing up into second in 1B with seven wins from nine in an unbeaten start to their league campaign.
And that form has carried over into the cup competitions, with Ronnie Burns’ side ousting Premier Division outfit Shankill United in the last round to set up a clash with Portstewart, currently sitting fifth in the NIFL Premier Intermediate and coming into the tie on the back of a 4-0 drubbing of Killyleagh in the Intermediate Cup.
Adamson acknowledges Mossley will need to raise their game again to match the Seasiders, but buoyed by their own 4-0 win on Saturday in the league at neighbours 18th Newtownabbey, the 38-year-old forward is eyeing an upset.
“We’ve made a good solid start, we’re going rightly in the league, and we’re glad to get a good cup run too,” Adamson told Match on Tuesday.
“Saturday will be a big test for us, we played Bangor in the other cup competition a few weeks ago, and they are in the same league so we know they are going to be around the same level.
“We made life difficult for Bangor but just didn’t get the rub of the green on the day, so we’re just looking to make life difficult again for Portstewart.
“They have to come to our place so we’re confident we can give them a very hard game and if we do, we’ll be pleased and we’ll see what way it goes, see if we get the rub of the green this time.
“All our focus is on this game now, we’re looking forward to it.”
Adamson hung up the boots six years ago, preferring to keep his fitness up with futsal at Belfast United, but he returned to the game in 2020, initially at Ballyclare Comrades where he started his career, before moving onto Mossley.
And he admits he’s relishing his comeback in the Amateur League.
“I’m really enjoying it, it’s a great wee club with some good people there,” he said.
“We’ve been together and training really hard for the last two years, Ronnie has managed to keep the group together really well, and built on it month on month.”
Adamson (circled) won it all during his heyday with Linfield and Crusaders, all bar the Irish Cup that is, after the Blues spoiled his afternoon in the final with the Hatchetmen back in 2012.
“I’ve a runners-up medal in the Irish Cup, I’ve never won it, and I’m not sure I’ll get it this year,” laughed Adamson.
