Striker looks for recall

Darren Stirling should return to the Ards squad for Saturday's first round meeting with Coagh United in the Co-Operative Insurance Cup, after missing the last game because of injury.

Darren Stirling - back in contention

The striker was absent from the 5-1 win against Bangor Amateurs in the Steel and Sons Cup after picking up a knock in midweek training, but he'll hope to be back in the side for the trip to Coagh. Despite netting two goals against Armagh City a fortnight ago, Stirling's path back into the team wont be a straight-forward one, with fellow strikers Darren Fitzgerald and Thomas Gorman also among the goals in recent matches.

Ards should also welcome back defender James Wilson and midfielder James Wright, who have spent the last week on holiday. While Wilson may be the man to come in and help make up a four man defence, competition for places is pretty hot at the moment in the Ards midfield. With Jimmy McIlhagga returned from suspension and new signing Mark Picking looking sharp, there wasn't even a starting spot for Aaron McKee against Bangor Amateurs last weekend.

Much will depend on the formation manager Tommy Kincaid chooses for this game. The experiment with 3-4-3 has served the side well in the last two matches, but will the boss risk the tactic against a Coagh United side, who confounded all the critics last season.

So far they haven't managed to carry that form forward into this campaign though. Three defeats from three is the record for the Tyrone side at the moment, including a 5-0 thrashing from Loughgall and a disappointing 4-3 exit from the Bob Radcliffe Cup last Saturday at the hands of Annagh United.

Coagh did give Ards a testing time last season however, battling out a two-all draw and a scoreless draw in back-to-back meetings near the end of the season.

This tie is the first leg of a first round Co-Operative Insurance Cup match, with the second game taking place at Dixon Park on Monday 7th September. Kick-off at Hagan Park on Saturday is 3pm with a car pool for Ards supporters leaving the Sports Club in Regent Street at 1.15pm.

- THIS WEEKEND'S FIXTURES

Friday (7.45pm)
Ballyclare Comrades v Carrick Rangers
Limavady United v Glebe Rangers

Saturday (3.00pm)
Ballymoney United v Larne
Bangor v Ballinamallard United
Coagh United v Ards
Donegal Celtic v Loughgall

28th August 2009

ardsfc.co.uk