Tightening Noose!

With most teams only having two games left to play before the 'split', things are starting to tighten up at the top of the Premier table, but in some other cases a clearer picture is emerging. Glentoran's win over Linfield last night signified little about the destination of the Gibson cup, but the results the previous evening had a direct bearing on the final place up for grabs in the top six. Cliftonville's win virtually takes them out of the reach of Ballymena whose best possible points tally (winning their three remaining games), would only bring them level with the North Belfast Reds but their inferioir goal difference -10 compared to Cliftonville's + 7 would require a bit of overhauling. Cliftonville can't sit on their laurels just the same as Institute are only 5 points adrift with a game in hand but with a -10 goal difference also. The relegation picture isn't as clearly defined as yet, but Ballymena can give themselves some breathing space with victory over Glenavon this Saturday, whereas a defeat or a draw, although not deciding anything, would 'keep the pot boiling' but dash any hopes of a top 6 finish for the Sky Blues. This Saturday 6 of the top 7 clubs are involved in the Irish cup quarter finals and maybe they will take their 'eye off the ball' due to this distraction. Barring any major cock-ups the league title looks destined for either Windsor Park or the Oval, but the battle for third place has only a spread of 8 points and looks destined to go down to the wire. Even though the table has a familiar look, the 'big two' at the top, the remaining places are not so clearly defined and there's still plenty to play for. Let's hope the fans see it that way and turn out in their numbers, otherwise it'll all be change for change sake!