Following a disappointing start to the campaign, which saw the club pick up just five points in their opening seven league fixtures, Newry City are beginning to turn a corner,  securing back to back wins in their latest two NIFL Championship games.

In form striker Keith Johnston, who has netted four goals in as many games, says the club’s recent revival in form has really helped boost the confidence levels within the squad and insists there is more to come from Newry this season.

He said:  “The game against Larne two weeks ago was so important to get a result, with them sitting behind us in the league. That set us up nicely then for the Limavady game  last week, everybody played well and worked hard and we got the win, so it’s important now to just keep it going.

“From the games previous to that which we have been beaten in, we honestly believe we could have got something out of them all. There’s been no team so far where we’ve felt they were far superior to us.

“I think we’ve just been unfortunate with injuries as well, particularly in defence. There has always been three of four boys out at one time, but hopefully now with lads starting to come back again we can just push on.

“We know with the squad we have we are more than capable of competing with the teams in this league.  A lot of our lads have played at this level before, the likes of Darren King was playing in this league last year and myself and a good few of the other lads have played in it previously as well, so we know we have players here that can compete at this level.”

Next up for Johnston and co.  is a home fixture against Championship high flyers Knockbreda next Saturday. Despite a shock defeat today at home to bottom club Larne, the Belfast based club are currently riding high in the NIFL Championship, sitting in second place, just one point off leaders Ballyclare Comrades.

Johnston is well aware of what Knockbreda will have to offer; having come up against them on numerous occasions while playing with Warrenpoint Town and is expecting a tough match.

“You know what to expect against  the likes of Knockbreda, they’re a really good, physical side,” said Johnston.

“It was maybe a shock to some people Larne going to Knockbreda today and getting a result, but it just goes to show that in this league everybody is capable of beating each other. There doesn’t really seem to be any one team that are consistent. No game in this league is going to be easy, so we just have to keep putting in the hard work and hopefully the good results will continue to come.”