'It's essential to get a reaction' - Seaton on cup tie

Ballymena and Glentoran meet in the BetMcLean Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday before facing off in the Irish Premiership on Saturday

Ballymena United assistant manager Stefan Seaton says that it is "essential to get a reaction" from his side in Tuesday night's BetMcLean Cup tie against Glentoran.

The Sky Blues exited the fifth round of the Irish Cup on Saturday after a shock 2-1 defeat by Championship Ards.

They beat the Glens in a league encounter earlier this season before losing against the east Belfast side in the County Antrim Shield

And Seaton is urging Ballymena's players to respond to the disappointment of their Irish Cup exit by booking their place in the semi-finals of the BetMcLean Cup.

"It's essential to get a reaction and it is good the game comes so quick on Tuesday night and there's something else to play for," he told BBC Sport NI.

"We finished Saturday's game so strongly, so hopefully we carry that into the next game and get a positive result."

Glentoran boss Declan Devine confirmed that new signings Ciaran Coll, Christie Pattison and Shane McEleney will be in contention to make their debuts against the Sky Blues.

The Glens progressed to the sixth round of the Irish Cup with a hard-fought 4-2 win against H&W Welders on Friday night as they extended their unbeaten record in all competitions to eight games.

But Devine knows that the game at the Ballymena Showgrounds will be another difficult assignment for his in-form team.

"It's a really tough game, they're a good side, they have a lot of talented players in their ranks and going there it is a difficult venue," he said.

"We need to do our jobs as best we can."