Carrick Rangers are the visitors to Clandeboye Park on Saturday as Ards look to get a win over the East Antrim team for the first time in five attempts.

Ards were a Premier League side back in October 2003 when a brace from Darren Fitzgerald helped Ards to a 4-1 win over the Rangers in the County Antrim Shield. More recent meetings between the sides have mostly ended in Ards defeats, bar a single draw secured at Taylor's Avenue two Christmases ago.

Carrick were in fine scoring form last weekend as they demolished Coagh United 6-1, a mere four days after Ards put a bit of daylight between themselves and Coagh by winning in a re-arranged game at Clandeboye. Carrick have always been there or there about the top end of the table this season and they currently sit perched on 30 points in the midst of a small group of sides all vying for second spot to challenge league leaders Loughgall.

Ards should enter the game with confidence boosted further after last week's important win over Ballyclare. Although the win wasn't pretty the three points will go a long way to aiding Ards' push on up the league table.

Slight bad news for Ards is that last week's match winner Ricky Billing wont be available on Saturday, having a pre-arranged engagement to get to. He likely be replaced up front by either Justin McBride or Mark Parker, although Danny Mulholland could equally be given another run-out, having come on late as a substitute in the last game.

New midfielder Stuart Long is looking like he will have to wait a little longer for his debut, having injured himself in Thursday night's training. A case of wait and see on whether he'll make Saturday's squad.

Kick-off in Bangor is 2.30pm with the supporters' bus leaving the social club at 2pm.

Saturday's fixtures

Ards v. Carrick Rangers
Banbridge Town v. Bangor
Coagh United v. Portstewart
Loughgall v. Dundela
Lurgan Celtic v. HW Welders
Tobermore United v. Ballyclare Comrades

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