Donegal Town happy with position but work still to do - Rodden

Donegal Town put seven goals past Gweedore United on Sunday at the Hospital Field but assistant manager, Joe Rodden, says there is plenty of work to do yet for the table toppers in the Donegal League Domestic Appliances Division 1.

The ‘Town’ led by three at the break and by the end of the game had six different scorers in an emphatic 7-2 win which leaves them a point ahead of Glenea United at the top of the table with a game in hand.

Afterwards Rodden was happy enough with the outcome but wasn’t getting over excited. “They put in an effort. You are always going to get a tough game from Gweedore, you know what to expect. We told them to know what to expect so they dug in there today. We got the result and that’s all you can ask for.”

The game represented the start of the second half of the league for Donegal Town, who sit on 24 points from their 10 games. Their two losses have come against Glenea United and Lagan Harps, who sit in second and third place respectively in the table.

“We sat down at the start of the year and we outlined where we wanted to be. This is probably a bonus to be up there. You have got good sides in there, you’ve got the Gleneas, the Gweedore, Castlefin have come down.

“If you hit the ground running it is vitally important. So no, look, we’re happy, but there’s plenty of hard work to put in yet.”

On Sunday Rodden’s side dominated possession for much of the opening half but found it hard to create a clear-cut chance until the midway point.

“We didn’t create that much and then Joe Campbell came up the left. When you see your left back putting the ball in the net, it spurs the boys on. After that we got the opportunities and you just have to take them in this league.

“We were happy enough going in at half-time, but again, like everything else, going in three up, it only takes one goal to open it up again.

“But we got the fourth at the start of the second half and that kinda takes the air out of it. We were able then to empty the bench. And it’s vital to get the boys on the bench time in the legs as well. It’s a squad game.”

One of their best players on the day, Ronan McHugh, was first to be rested because of a niggle.

“Ronan (McHugh) was a bit tight (in hamstring) and when you’re that well up you want to protect the players well.

“We have Castlefin next week away so that will be another big game,” said Rodden.

Indeed, Donegal Town will play Castlefin twice in  the coming weeks as their clash at home which was a victim of the cold spell is set for the following Sunday back at the Hospital Field.