Ards go to Loughgall on Saturday for an important Championship fixture, without regular goalkeeper Andy McDonald.

The experienced stopper misses out on the action at Lakeview Park as he serves a one match suspension, meaning only the second start of the season for back-up goalkeeper and McDonald's own coach, Lee Rutherford.

Lee Rutherford

Veteran Lee steps into the fray for the first time since a midweek defeat to Newry back in November but he'll not be the only change in the Ards side. Craig McMillen misses out also as he serves match two of a three game ban, while striker Benji Njemo is home in Bulgaria for the next week.

With Ards' other strikers Darren Stirling and Ricky Billing currently out of the picture, it is Njemo's absence that will cause Tommy Kincaid the most problems. Darren Fitzgerald is certain to start and in all likelihood he'll be partnered by teenage forward Thomas Gorman, though other options could not be ruled out.

Paul Dickson is one back in the frame, after missing his first match of the season against Donegal Celtic due to suspension and he'll be pushing for a place, with all of that dependent on whether Kincaid chooses to change his latest system. The win at Celtic ten days ago was achieved with a wing-back formation that paid dividends on the night, but will Ards risk it again against a tough Loughgall side?

The Villagers, as they're known, occupy the spot above Ards in the table and are renowned for their direct football. An impressive run since Christmas saw them win six on the trot, before losing to Donegal Celtic and Portadown in successive weeks.

The only previous meeting between the sides ended scoreless at Dixon Park in October with both teams having claimed an identical number of league points since that game.

The match has a 3pm kick-off with a supporters' bus leaving Newtownards at 1.15pm.

This weekend's fixtures

Ballinamallard United OFF Ballyclare Comrades
Carrick Rangers v Coagh United
Killymoon Rangers v Ballymoney United (2.30)
Loughgall v Ards

20th February 2009

ardsfc.co.uk