We can ill-afford to switch off at this level, says Paul Owens as Limavady United prepare to host Linfield
After suffering back-to-back losses on their return to the big time so far – Limavady United chief Paul Owens has opened up on what he and his side have learned from their opening two encounters.
The Roesiders kicked off their Premiership campaign away at Glentoran, and despite the scoreline being level at the break, the hosts netted two goals without reply to take all three points.
A week later, Carrick Rangers left Limavady with a 2-1 victory as they scored twice in quick succession and then withstood an onslaught after Alfie Gaston pulled a goal back for Owens’ side.
Limavady were not in action last weekend due to Larne’s European exploits and Owens admits his side need to retain their concentration levels at all times as they go in search of their first points of the season.
"I know we were level at half-time in our first game but I felt we showed no personality against Glentoran,” he said.
"We came out and were brave for 15 minutes, Philip Lowry had a great chance to put us ahead, but then we switched off and found ourselves 2-0 down.
"In the opening 30 minutes versus Carrick, we felt so confident and then suddenly we were 2-0 down in the blink of an eye. We got a goal back and there was a real belief, which is all we needed and we did everything but find an equaliser.
"It shows that concentration levels need to be high but I’m hoping our positive end to the Carrick game and a week’s break will give everyone a lift.
"Larne reached out to us about postponing the game last week and we had no complaints about it...we had a behind-closed-doors friendly and an in-house friendly to keep the lads topped up.”
United play host to Linfield on Saturday and Owens admits there’s been a real “buzz” around the north west town as a healthy crowd is set to descend on The Showgrounds.
He also spoke of his mutual respect for Linfield boss David Healy, who he believes doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his achievements at Windsor Park.
He explained: “Whenever we had aspirations of returning to this level...you knew the likes of Linfield, Glentoran and Coleraine would bring large crowds here, which is brilliant.
“We know this game will be difficult but we’ve had more than a week to do our homework and we have prepared as best as we can.
"One of my friends recently asked me what David is like and I told him he is absolutely brilliant.
"When I was an assistant at Coleraine, you could always tell that David had high standards and his record is second to none.
"Not only did he have a great playing career but he’s now one of the best, if not the best, manager in the country and people have to be sometimes careful what they wish for.
"People often forget that Linfield won the league title two seasons ago by around 20 points and they collected silverware last season.”
After suffering an opening day defeat to Ballymena United, the response from Linfield has been emphatic after victories against city rivals Glentoran and Cliftonville.