MANAGER'S VERDICT: We don't want to give pats on the backs for defeats, says Limavady United chief Paul Owens
Limavady United manager Paul Owens says he couldn’t have asked for anything more from his players but acknowledged they were undone by two bits of quality in their defeat to Linfield.
The Roesiders put in a valiant performance against the Blues but rarely threatened as goals from Matthew Fitzpatrick and Adam Frizzell gave the visitors all three points.
THOUGHTS ON THE FINAL OUTCOME:
"We've lost a game of football so we're obviously disappointed and we don't want to run the habit of patting boys in the back with defeats.
"In terms of where we were in the first game of the season against Glentoran, compared to the next full-time team we played, I thought we showed a lot more about us.
“Not naivety or anything, I thought we showed a wee bit of personality and were able to make passes and have our fair share of possession.
"But today, unfortunately, we were done with two pieces of quality really.
“Overall, I honestly can't fault the players.
"We're three games in, yes, with no points but I do feel we've done reasonably well and the players are in the same boat.
"They're all having their own open discussions there and we don't feel we're far away.
KEY TO PICKING UP POINTS?
"Scoring the first goal might help but it's well documented we're very light in the top end of the pitch in terms of numbers and experience.
"We're very, very young in that area but that's not a criticism at all.
"I'm more than happy with the players we have. Ideally we'd like to have that wee bit more experience in that top end of the pitch.
"Everybody's plugging away, everybody's onside and they're all backing each other up. It's just we need to probably get that wee first goal.
"I generally thought we were okay today...I wasn't knocking on there, scratching my head or thinking about three or four players that were off it.
"We just came against a full-time side and a very good one at that. That couple of wee bits of quality was the difference in the end.
WILL YOU ADD A STRIKER TO YOUR SQUAD?
"Hopefully, yes.
"There's no hiding it...I’m not saying anything any other club wouldn’t know because I think I've contacted every club in the country to be honest.
“We are in a really difficult part of the country, geography-wise and financial-wise.
“We're just in a different market in terms of finance and geography-wise. I find it really difficult to get into that Belfast market.
"Hopefully, one forward player over the next couple of days has a wee look at what we have to offer here and maybe sign.