No pressure on us, insists Flanagan’s coach O’Sullivan
Flanagan’s Onions have the ability to pull off a big upset come Sunday if they can be aggressive from the start, according to coach Dermot O’Sullivan.Premier Division new boys Onions earned an unlikely 1-1 draw against defending champions Dandy Town at St John’s Field in the first encounter, giving themselves another shot at advancing at the second time of asking.Admitting that a cup run isn’t the top priority in their inaugural campaign on the big stage, O’Sullivan wants his side to put on a good showing regardless of the outcome.“We are happy to be still in contention to move forward, obviously with us and our first season in the top flight our main aim is to stay up but we would like to put on a good showing in the replay and see where it takes us.“Our biggest problem is that we are slow starters in games and we don’t start playing until we are losing or in the second half and that is something we need to address.“Against a team like Dandy Town to go down on the road was good for us but a bit lucky as well, and I doubt that they will do the same mistake twice.“They are a strong side and we are glad to have another shot at them and we did play well in the first game and felt good to earn a replay where we will be at home and there will be a winner.“Hopefully we can play well and get the win.”The boss also believes that the pressure isn’t on his side, but rather on the shoulders of their much more fancied and historic rivals.Being the defending champions puts a lot on the shoulders of Town, something that O’Sullivan believes can be a contributing factor to result of the game.Injuries will play a role in the selection process for the hosts, but with nothing to lose they may roll the dice and go all out for the result.The winner of this tie will make the short trek to Devonshire Rec next Friday night to clash with Wolves.“We have played them fairly well in our games, but to be honest there isn’t any pressure on us to get the win because of our name and reputation, the onus will be on them because no one will expect us to beat them in the replay.“We have a few injuries and our aim is to stay up so this is a bonus for us given their record in the competition and a chance to play Wolves in the next round.“This could work in our favour given the fact that we don’t have the reputation that they have.“We have to go up early and get stuck in from the start and keep it tight and after the break we can adjust and look to make a game out of it.”The other replay on the cards will take place at Southampton Oval when Southampton Rangers host St George’s. Key players will return for both teams with Rangers midfielder Vernon Perinchief available after serving a one match ban against St. George’s last weekend in the league while Allan Douglas should be back to boost the St. George’s attack, having missed last weekend’s 2-2 draw.Both games will kick off at 2.30pm.First Division action continues tomorrow with Ireland Rangers hosting Young Men’s Social Club at Malabar, while Prospect welcome Boulevard to Police Field.Garrison Field is the venue for the clash between X-Roads and St David’s. Devonshire Colts’ trip to White Hill Field to play Paget has been postponed to February 17th.All First Division games kick off at 12.30pm.