Jackie Kerr hailed the “togetherness” of his squad as his decimated Ards Rangers head into the last six games of the season still clinging to an outside chance of the title.
A 3-1 win at Islandmagee on Saturday, coupled with dropped points by the two clubs at the top – the East were held to a goalless draw at Crumlin United while Larne Tech completed a league double over Crumlin Star – breathed new life into their hopes of an unlikely coronation come May.
Unlikely, because two recent defeats to relegation battlers 1st Bangor and Killyleagh seemed to have extinguished those hopes, and also because Kerr has been jinxed by long-term injuries, with his strikers Michael Hunter and James Sofley out all season with ACLs, fellow forwards Ben Roy (pelvis) and Aaron Dunlop (knee) also missing the majority of the campaign, while Taylor Kirk (ankle) and Gary Browne (ankle) – both brought in to ease the loss of Jamie Patterson, himself hit with a whopping 13-game ban following an Irish Cup tie at Greenisland – also both now out for the season.
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Talking to Match on Tuesday, Kerr showed little interest in indulging talk of a title tilt, except to say he and his players are relishing a run-in which sees his club hosting all three of the main title contenders over the last three Saturdays of the campaign, the East, the Star and Immaculata.
“One thing about that group I have, no matter the challenge, they’ve all been up for it,” said Kerr.
“I’ve had Phil Simpson playing centre forward for me, he’s been a centre half all his life, I’m having midfielders playing at the back, it’s been a patchwork quilt at times but wherever I’ve asked someone to play, they’ve always come in and gave a good account of themselves.
“Don’t get me wrong, there’s been games we’ve let ourselves down, but it’s hard for me to be too critical, considering what they’ve delivered for me so far this year.
“I think we’ve got through with team togetherness, everyone fighting for each other and a good changing room has got us through.
“And I do have some really good players in there who can win a match, which happened up at the Mac. Ryan Newberry has been playing centre forward for me, he scored a smashing goal at the Mac and only the like of him and a few others could have scored that goal.
“It’s been tough, and I know other teams have had their struggles as well so I don’t want to sound like I’m crying over spilt milk, you just have to suck it up and get on with it.”
Lying four points off the top, other teams still in the box seat, like the long-term league leaders East Belfast, the dominant Premier Division force over the last lot of years Crumlin Star, the in-form Immaculata, and Rathfriland, sitting way back but with the title still in their own hands.
For all that though, Kerr’s Gers still can’t be discounted, and he knows no one will relish a trip to Drome Park.
“We’ll keep going until it’s impossible, obviously,” added the Ards Ranges chief.
“The group I have are like that, they’ll keep going until the end. Whatever happens, when I reflect on it, it will be a good achievement considering everything that’s happened.
“Hopefully, we have a good finish which will put us in a good place for next year when all the boys who are missing will filter back into the squad.
“We’ll definitely have a part to play in where it (the title) goes, and I’ll say one thing: none of the top teams will be wanting to come to Ards Rangers, I know that for a fact.
“Our last four games are away to the East, home to the East, home to the Star and home to the Mac. My players are absolutely looking forward to it, who wouldn’t want to be playing in games like that towards the end of the season?”
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