Paul Owens: 4G surface helps my Limavady side as Roesiders set to face Linfield next
Paul Owens has outlined how playing on a synthetic surface suits the style of play he wants from his Limavady United team.
The Roesiders are currently ground-sharing with Coleraine as they prepare to install a 4G pitch at their own home.
Whilst they are waiting for their pitch to be laid, they are benefiting from the same surface at the Coleraine Showgrounds.
The Championship side coasted their way into the sixth-round of the Irish Cup after seeing off Lisburn Rangers with a 4-1 scoreline, where they will face the challenge of Linfield next.
First-half goals from Mikhail Kennedy and Rodney Brown had United firmly in the driving seat, with Philip Lowry and Lewis Tosh netting after the break.
“Loving it – I love not having the dirty feet,” Owens said about playing on 4G.
"No, I think it does help us. We've been playing well here, moving the ball about well.
"We’ve been moving the ball well bar the Annagh game, it was a one-off performance. It was a real disappointment.
"But listen, we're looking forward to getting a 4G. That's why I thank Coleraine for welcoming us here.
"I think it's even a better watch, it suits our players more, and hopefully, it'll help us leading into the end of the season.”
The only disappointment for Owens on Saturday was conceding as Lisburn Rangers bagged a consolation goal through Anthony Burns’ close-range finish.
On the victory, the ex-Coleraine coach, added: "Aye, listen, it was one of the messages at half-time that we wanted to try and keep a clean sheet.
"They took a really good finish on a counter-attack...we just gave it away a wee bit cheap in a sort of a wee open position.
"But, listen, we were 2-0 up at half-time and probably could have been one or two more.
"We've been in these positions before and it hasn't been as pretty in the end as we would have liked.
"But we came out and finished the game nice and early in the second half.
"It would have been nice for a couple of subs to get a wee goal when they come on but the keeper made a couple of good saves.
"Probably levels dropped a little bit at times, but that happens in these kind of games.
"I'm happy with everybody, at least we're all in good form, e can now bounce on and have a good week's training leading into Ballinamallard.”
Whilst Linfield is set to pose a tough task for United in the next round, Owens want to go as deep as possible in the competition and potentially match the achievements of Bangor last year who reached the semi-final and earned promotion to the Premiership.
“Aye, listen, winning games just brings confidence,” he stressed.
"I heard a lot of messages this week about giving boys games and you'll beat Lisburn Rangers three or four.
"That's dangerous, dangerous voices to get in the changing room.
"I mentioned Bangor getting a semi-final last year when they were playing in the Championship, so, it's something we want to replicate.”