Hutton insists Institute under 'no pressure' ahead of derby clash

Institute manager Peter Hutton feels there’s no pressure on his side going into Saturday’s North West derby against Limavady United, which takes place at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

The former Derry City gaffer believes because the Roesiders have invested heavily this campaign that Paul Owens’ side need to be challenging for promotion from the Playr-Fit Championship.

United have a host of experience in their changing room with the likes of Stephen and Philip Lowry, along with ex-Institute men Martin Gallagher, Ian Parkhill and Mikhail Kennedy and Hutton feels adding ‘big name’ signings will bring added pressure on them.

“Limavady are one of the main sort of contenders for promotion this year, they’re one of the favourites,” he insisted.

“It was a good win for us at Armagh, but to be honest with it being a derby, form doesn't really come into it.

“However that aside we go into the game quietly confident ourselves. We’ve a good tight group, a very young group, who are playing some decent football and we’re looking forward to the game obviously.

“Limavady have invested really heavily in their squad and made additions to a squad that already challenged for the promotion last season, so they’ve just added to what they already had in their changing room.

“Look, they’ve a very experienced team, but it’s a game of football and as I said our boys are looking forward to it.

“We’re under no illusions it’s going to be a tough game, but we’re under no pressure at all, so we can go and enjoy the game.

“As I said, Limavady are looking to win the league this year, so the pressure is on them.”

Both sides are sitting on four points after their opening three games, but the 52-year-old feels his squad will go into the derby with a spring in their step following last Saturday’s impressive 3-1 win at Armagh City.

Hutton was delighted with how his young side responded to Igor Rutkowski’s first minute goal and won the encounter at Holm Park thanks to a brace from Caoimhin Porter and Aidan Hegarty also opening his goalscoring account.

“On the back of the Ards game, which lets be honest probably felt more like a defeat because we conceded so late in the game and then at Armagh on Saturday the boys showed a lot of character whenever they went behind so early on and then responded,” he explained.

“To be honest they were emphatic in terms of getting the ball down and playing it. To be honest they really dictated most of the game after that early set-back, so that type of performance breeds confidence.

“Getting confidence flowing especially in such a young side, is great. Look, you’re going to have your ups and downs over the course of the season, but we’re going into Saturday’s game with a spring in our step and everyone, as I said, is looking forward to the game.”

The Drumahoe club have a few main injury concerns with Hutton confirming that Zach McCauley, Evan Tweed, Callum Doherty and Ciaran O’Hara may not feature on Saturday.

“Young Zach may have tweaked his medial ligament. Callum Doherty has a groin issue; to be fair Evan Tweed has played through the pain barrier with a foot injury and Ciaran O’Hara may also not be available, but we’ll see closer to the time,” confirmed the Stute boss.

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“Look, no matter who is in or out, we’ll still have a very competitive squad going into the game.”