Limavady still lead the League going into the split with Annagh now close behind

LIMAVADY United are riding high on the back of four consecutive League wins, and not to mention their shock Cup victory over Linfield FC.

The Roesiders host Loughgall this weekend at their temporary home grounds in Coleraine in one of the last few fixtures before the League split. Three points last weekend in the North West derby maintained their lead at the top of the table came just after the hour by John Butcher to edge Limavady to a 2-1 victory over Institute. The first of the two goals came from Leon Boyd in the opening minutes, but 'Stute rebounded a few minutes later to even out the score line in the opening interval.

Limavady boss Paul Owens looked ahead to Saturday's match against top half of the table Loughgall: “They’re a team who have started to come into form, we’ve had two really tight games against them. We edged out a late equaliser against them at Loughgall last time – and it is a match that we’re looking forward to. It’s six games left until the split, so I think it’s even more important that we get three points.

“We just have to keep ticking these games off, I do feel that the next five games after Loughgall are away games and they’re all going to be tough ones at that. So it’s very important that we keep the momentum going and keep getting three points on the board.”

Their lead at the top is now narrow one, now just by two points over Season long title challengers Annagh United - who claimed victory on Tuesday night over Institute to overtake H&W Welders for second place and closed the five point lead from Limavady. 

Annagh who had a stutter step in December and January by dropping points let Limavady cruise in front for the meantime, but the chase is now effectively back. Looking at the standings of the League, it's all down to Limavady, Annagh, and 'Welders, the trio are well ahead of everybody else in the League.

Loughgall are sitting in fourth with 43 points and closely chased by Queens and Newington - it's rather safe to say that the rest of the Season is between these six sides: who is playing for promotion, second place, and who wants to finish in the top half of the table. 

Aware of the marginal lead, Owens expressed how important is is for his side to focus only on themselves and not the teams below them:

“In fixtures it’s always talked about how it’s about hanging in there and at times you feel that you might have that opportunity to go push forward. But at this stage of the League we only have to worry about ourselves and not about any teams below us.
“Earlier in the Season when we had to chase Annagh down – at times it’s difficult, but the lead is in our hands, it’s a small lead not a comfortable one. So if we keep taking care of our business then we will be perfectly fine.”