Former Ballinamallard player Grant Hutchinson declared himself happy with his first Premiership appearance for Carrick Rangers, despite his new side falling to a late winner against Cliftonville.

"I was pleased with my own performance, although I did think I sort of came in and out of the game a bit," he admitted. "The pace of the game was fast, but I think we got on well considering our pre-season wasn't as good as we expected it to be. We did well. It bodes well for the season and gives us a bit of confidence. It was a step up in terms of the pace of the game but I was happy with how it went and hopefully I will soon get used to it and become more influential in games as the weeks go on." Having excelled for Ballinamallard in recent seasons Grant was rewarded with an opportunity to make the leap to the top division, and he loved his first taste of the Premiership. "I signed early in the summer so I have been thinking about it all summer, and I'm glad to finally get the season started," he said. "It was a far bigger crowd than what I was used to in the championship and it was exciting to see the crowd when we were walking out and hear a bit of noise. At the start of the game it gave me a lift but once the whistle goes you zone out a bit and don't think about it." While the competition is intense against opposing teams, Grant is also facing internal pressures as a large squad all compete for places in the starting eleven. "There's pressure to perform every week but that is what it is all about, and you just have to do your best," he revealed. "Hopefully I'll keep my place in the team so I can get the chance to be more influential, although they have signed a few midfielders. It's just about keeping my place in the team at the minute and hoping to improve each week." While he may be with a club a division higher, Grant can see similarities between Carrick and Ballinamallard. "The two clubs are similar in that they are both family clubs," he said. "There is no problem speaking to the manager or the chairman if you need to, and I have fitted in with the players very well. They are a good bunch of lads and there are no egos in the changing rooms." And after Saturday's match Grant was delighted to hear of his former side's 3-0 success. "Ballinamallard was the first result I looked for in the changing room when I got back in after the match," he admitted. "It was great to see my brother score. I text him before the game saying he would have to take up the burden of scoring the goals now I have gone, but as I scored about five in five years its not much of a burden to take. It was great to see them do well. A lot of boys in the Carrick dressing room were saying Welders were the favourites but I told them they wouldn't get it easy at Ferney Park and thankfully I was proved right." And with Crusaders next on the fixture list for Carrick, Grant goes into the game hoping to exact some revenge for their 5-0 defeat of Ballinamallard last season. "The last time I played them was when they beat Ballinamallard and I don't think anyone at Ballinamallard thinks they did themselves justice at the match," he said. "Hopefully I can get another crack at it and put right what went wrong on that day."