Institute star Mbuli hoping to make his 'Mark' against H&W Welders tomorrow

Institute vs. HW Welders

Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Saturday, 3pm

Mark Mbuli believes that Institute can only get better after an encouraging start to the new NIFL season.

‘Stute host Paul Kee’s H&W Welders at the Brandywell on Saturday hoping for a win which could take them into the top four in the Championship. They do so in a decent run of form, which has brought two wins and a draw in the last three games, including Tuesday night’s North West Senior Cup win over Strabane.

Teenager Mbuli, who had spells at Derry City and Finn Harp at underage level, has been a real stand out for ‘Stute this season with three goals to his name, and he is hoping the encouraging start will continue this weekend.  

“It has been a very good start,” he agreed.  Since the very start, everyone has been motivated to do something this year, especially Kevin, Mo, Peter and Lee. They have got everyone together and we’re all working hard and playing for each other.”

It could have been an even better start had ‘Stute not been denied a win by a 97th minute equaliser at Bangor last weekend.

“In the last couple of games, we have kind of let ourselves down in the final moments, but if we can keep our heads, there’s no doubt we can do well,” Mbuli said. “It was a big disappointment to concede so late last Saturday. Everyone was down, but it’s just the last couple of seconds that’s letting us down so far this season and hopefully we can pick it up in training and get back to the way we started.”

Mbuli is ‘Stute’s top scorer so far and has produced some very memorable moments so far, including an audacious chipped finish for his recent goal against Newington at the Brandywell.

“I have started well and that’s thanks to Mo and Kevin who have given me the confidence to play with freedom, so hopefully I can keep helping the team for the rest of the season,” he explained. “I have a free role in the front three but I can move about. I just move about in different positions and try to make it hard for the opposition to defend against us.

“My confidence is at an all time high at the minute and I just want to keep going. Since coming here it’s been a breath of fresh air, and I just want to keep helping the team by scoring goals, assisting and creating chances by moving about and opening spaces for my team mates.”

Welders have started the new season encouragingly, and sit in third place with expectations high this campaign. But Mbuli has faith that he and his team mates can upset them this Saturday.

“Welders will be another tight game,” he said. “They got a good result against Portadown there last week so we’ll be expecting a tough physical game again. But if we can play the way we’ve started games, I think we can definitely get a result out of it.”