It's time to get back to basics, says City boss Boyle

The two sides occupy the bottom two places in the league, meaning that even at this early stage of the season this is a hugely important game.

“We’re looking for a reaction,” said City boss Gary Boyle.

“Results aside, we want to get back to basics. Newry as a club is built around hard working people, and that’s what we have honed in to the players. To be fair, they have stepped up in the past, and they will step up again.

“Ballymena had a good result [against Dungannon Swifts]. That game was always important, and now the table says its hugely important again."

Last week City's struggles against the ‘Big Six’ Premiership sides continued as four goals conceded in 12 first half minutes saw them blown away 6-1 by league leaders Linfield.

Boyle couldn’t hide his frustration at the heavy defeat, when speaking to the club’s media.

“I’m disappointed and annoyed. That’s really all I can say,” he said.

“For the first half hour, I wouldn’t say that anything was working terribly well, but we were keeping them in front of us, and we had limited their chances. A couple of times on the break, if we had a better pass, I think we could have been in (on goal). 

“But to concede the first goal on half an hour, and to go in with the game up at half-time once again, is just hugely frustrating and disappointing, and we need to do better.”