Matthew Ferguson expects fierce battle as H&W Welders aim to take Larne scalp

Harland and Wolff Welders frontman Matthew Ferguson believes his team have the tools to surprise Larne

Harland and Wolff Welders striker Matthew Ferguson believes Premiership champions Larne will be more battle-hardened on Saturday than they were when the sides met in the Irish Cup in March 2023.

The Invermen were given an almighty fright in that Quarter-Final at Blanchflower Park.

In the 90th minute, Scottish forward Andy Ryan scored the only goal of the game, sparing Larne’s blushes.

With a bit more luck in front of goal, Paul Kee’s men could have caused an almighty upset and reached the last-four.

Tiernan Lynch’s League champions are back in east Belfast on Saturday hoping for a less stressful afternoon.

Welders frontman Ferguson has a feeling Larne will be more focused.

“We had them in the Quarter-Final last season and made them work for it,” said the 28-year-old.

“It will be a great tie and I think Larne will be a bit more prepared this time and know what to expect from us.

“I would expect them to show us respect. We also have belief, and who knows, we could cause an upset.

“This season, the Welders have been seen as a contender for promotion, and that brings pressure, but the Cup is a release from that and we will look forward to being the underdogs against Larne. These are occasions to be enjoyed, it’s a great competition.

“Larne are in a title race and that’s too close to call. Linfield’s mentality speaks for itself, they will be there or thereabouts and Cliftonville have impressed a lot of people.

“Losing Jimmy Callacher was a big loss to the Crues.

“It’s hard to pick a winner from the top three, it could be exciting right to the end.”

Matthew Ferguson has marked himself out as one of the top sharpshooters in