Tuesday night saw Matchday 2 of the Northern Irish Premiership, which means it’s a quick turnaround for the latest instalment of Team of the Week.<\/p>\n
For goalkeeper this time, I’m going with Ards shot stopper Aaron Hogg, who much like Harry Doherty for Carrick on Saturday, kept his side in the game against reigning champions Linfield, including two fantastic one on one, saves against Paul Smyth.<\/p>\n
Another Ards player at right back in Greg Hall. The full back was mainly solid at right back in coping with Jordan Stewart and an overlapping Niall Quinn, preventing Linfield from creating too many chances down that wing.<\/p>\n
My two centre-backs to make the team this time around are Mark Haughey and Mark Stafford. The two Linfield players have been good defensively. Leading to Linfield to be the only team yet to concede a goal, and as was seen last season as well as in the two games so far, are always a threat in the opposition’s box when they get forward for corners and free kicks, along with fellow centre-back, the currently injured Jimmy Callacher.<\/p>\n
Mark Edgar was the best left back on show midweek, as he helped mainly contain Ballymena on his side, along with his dangerous deliveries from free kicks and corners, helping to Carrick achieve a draw.<\/p>\n
Adam Foley is on the team for a superb fire hat trick for Glenavon, the pick of which was a superb half volley from about twelve yards out, finding the top corner in style. He was unlucky not to score more, being denied by fantastic saves on at least two other occasions by Ballinamallard keeper, Richard Brush who himself is slightly unfortunate not to make this team.<\/p>\n
My choice for the other wide player is probably a controversial one in Kirk Millar. Millar frustrates many Linfield supporters due to his hit or miss attitude, but I felt he played well on Tuesday night. He scored Linfield’s second of the evening with a good header from a Paul Smyth cross and looked dangerous running at the Carrick defence in the first half especially. His deliveries from set pieces also caused the defence trouble, one of which led to Mark Haughey setting the Blues on their way to a second 2-0 victory on the bounce.<\/p>\n
The engine room of the team is an apt term to describe the midfield pairing I’ve chosen in Jamie Mulgrew and John McGuigan, both players have plenty of energy and cover a lot of ground during the 90 minutes for their respective clubs. Mulgrew drove Linfield forward, with his trademark driving runs, where he seems to glide past his opposite numbers as if they weren’t there. Meanwhile, McGuigan was helping Glentoran to a 2-0 victory at the Oval with a goal and an assist and was unlucky not to score more, due in no small part to excellent shot stopping from Stuart Addis.<\/p>\n
The team is rounded out by front two of Andy Mitchell and Andy Mooney for Glenavon and Carrick respectively. Mitchell announced his return to Mourneview with a brace, while Mooney scored Carrick’s equaliser and caused problems for the defence with his pace and movement off the ball.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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