 Final
preview: Ards wait on Spence
30th April 2008
Ards hope to recall
defender Gary Spence to the squad for Thursday's showdown with Loughgall
in the final of the WKD Intermediate Cup.
The 20 year-old centre
half was an ever present in the Ards side until coming off injured in
the recent win over Carrick Rangers. Since then he has missed the last
three games, but resumed training again on Tuesday night. Boss Tommy
Kincaid will be hoping he reports no ill feeling ahead of the cup final
in just a few hours time.
The Ards side is free of
suspensions for the game, though there will be absentees. Recent signing
Stuart Long is cup tied having turned out for Knockbreda in round one of
the competition, while Ryan Newberry will miss the game having been
injured in Ards Colts' league cup win over Cliftonville on Wednesday
night. He was to have been part of the cup final squad.
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Team
captains Andy McDonald and Glenn Waddell eye
up the WKD Intermediate Cup |
On Saturday past Kincaid
rested a number of first team players in the league game against Coagh
United. Several youth team players took part in that game and it will be
interesting to see if any of them are considered for the panel. Striker
Ricky Billing will be back in contention to start; he has been given a
four match ban after being sent off two weeks ago, but that does not
come into force until next Monday.
Should Spence make the
starting line-up then Kincaid will have a dilemma for the right-back position.
Gary Clifford, David Cully and latterly Stephen Johnston have all played
there this season, while on the other side of the defence, Kris Pike
missed Saturday' game because of injury. Ards will be keen for him to
return.
Opponents Loughgall
wrapped up the First Division title a week ago without kicking a ball as
nearest challengers Ballyclare only drew with Coagh United. They were
early season pacesetters and despite a New Year slump, returned to form
just in time to push on for the title.
The two teams are no
strangers to each other, having met three times already this season. A
win apiece is the league record, with Loughgall claiming victory in the
Carnegie League Cup semi-final in October. By Thursday night the
Villagers wont have played in 12 days, while in the same space of time,
Ards have played a further two league games.
The match takes place at
New Grosvenor Stadium, home of Lisburn Distillery, and has a 7.45pm kick
off. The game will be finished on the night with 20 minutes extra time
and penalty kicks if necessary.
Ards supporters buses will
run from the Sports Club in Regent Street, leaving at 6.45pm and also
from The Pub in Upper Greenwell Street. Ards will wear their white strip
for the game.
The Ards players will get
together for a pre-match meal in Cafollas before the game and will call
to the Ards Sports Club before boarding their coach around 5.45pm. The
squad will return to the clubhouse following the game.
The
road to the final
| Ards
1st round 7-2 v Holywood
(a)
2nd round 1-0 v Lower Maze (a)
3rd round 4-1 v Magherafelt Sky Blues (a)
4th round 3-1 v Lurgan Celtic (a)
Quarter-final 4-0 v Ards Rangers (a)
Semi-final 2-1 v Dundela |
Loughgall
1st round 3-0 v Oxford Utd
Stars (h)
2nd round 7-0 v Broomhedge (h)
3rd round 2-1 v Brantwood (h)
4th round 2-1 v Comber Rec (a)
Quarter-final 2-1 v Bangor (a)
Semi-final 2-1 v Newington |
PHOTO: Gary
Hancock/IFA
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