Newry City manager Gary Boyle believes the 0-0 draw against Ballymena United was an 'opportunity missed' for his side.
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00:00 Gary, you were struck earlier tonight to show grounds this morning, your thoughts on the game?
00:03 I think it's an opportunity missed, particularly the way the game went.
00:07 The first half, both teams had chances. We spoke about half-time, we reset and we sort of felt that the team that had the next clear-cut chance would put up a good score and maybe define the game.
00:18 I think we started the second half really well. When it was 11 v 11, we were on front foot.
00:23 Then when it went to 11 v 10, I think we were really, really dominant. For a play to them, they sat in and defended their backs admirably.
00:31 We weren't able to find enough quality probably in the final third to create the goal-scoring opportunity and that's the disappointment.
00:39 Probably when Balamina did go down to ten men, they started to get numbers back. It's probably something you don't see quite a lot, playing against that sort of defence.
00:47 Is that maybe something you just need to learn how to break down?
00:49 Yeah, potentially. Listen, as we said, I have to commend the club for first and foremost getting the game won.
00:56 The pitch was heavy and by the time the 60-70 minutes had come, it had cut up quite badly.
01:01 We ended up probably going long too early into the box and when they have numbers back and big units, that's exactly what they want.
01:10 As I say, with the pitching and maybe with that, we rushed our attacking play slightly and fed into their hands in terms of putting balls into the box too early.
01:20 We would be looking to get behind teams to cut the ball back nearly. That's the only disappointment in what's a clean sheet and at least a positive result.
01:31 It's probably one of those games where, at least you didn't lose the game, where of course you wanted to win the match but it was certainly one you couldn't afford to lose.
01:38 Yeah, no, listen, we drummed it up and we really felt that this would break the duck at home.
01:43 We drummed it up as a game that we really, really wanted to win but certainly it was one that's not lose as importantly.
01:51 As I say, I think we can't blame anybody outside the game. We can't fault the players for their effort and their endeavour.
01:59 It was just probably that bad quality in the final third that's let us down.
02:03 Of course you have Glyn Thorne next in the league but I think three of your next four league matches are against bottom half teams.
02:08 I suppose the entire month of December can be crucial for how this season goes.
02:12 Yeah, well it'll tell a tale. That's what we were looking for this weekend.
02:17 The first and fourth which came out of four months. Happily we got a result and then built momentum from that.
02:24 If we be subjective and look at it, we've got two results in a row to build a wee bit of momentum.
02:30 That's what we're looking to do and certainly the games at Christmas time will tell a tale.
02:36 As Glen Aban have seen, they went on a run and they're well clear now.
02:41 That's what we've got to target and that's what we will be targeting.
02:46 In terms of availability, you've probably been bit by the injury bug a bit this year but John McGovern is fully back now.
02:52 Thomas Lockhart was able to come in off the bench tonight and Nick Ciarán O'Connor on the bench as well.
02:57 Is it positive that they're starting to get numbers back?
03:00 Yeah, absolutely. As I say, we've never made excuses for the players that aren't available.
03:03 But certainly the squad is really healthy at the minute.
03:07 We still have a couple of key players out mind you and hopefully we can see how they are and get them back involved.
03:13 But yes, it's a massive plus to have players that you've mentioned back fit and available.