Lough 41 Championship.
Ards vs Knockbreda.
Clandeboye Park.
Saturday 18th March at 3.00 p.m.
Only two games left before the split and realistically Ards need to win them both to have any chance of reclaiming a place in the top six. Currently in seventh place, a point behind the Welders and two points behind Ballyclare, with Ballinamallard two points behind with two games in hand, nothing less than six points from those two games will do for the Red and Blues and even then other results will have to go their way.
Ards have put in better performances over the last few games, although old failings of missed chances coupled with defensive errors led to two points dropped last Tuesday when they drew at Solitude against relegation threatened Newington. This was all the more frustrating as it could have been 3-0 before the opposition had a shot on target, but once Newington equalised they were probably the better team until the last ten minutes when Ards hit the frame of the goal twice and grabbed a late leveller.
Knockbreda travel to Clandeboye for the first time this season, with the two previous games at Breda Park seeing Ards win in October when Adam Salley's treble helped earn a 4-1 win, while Knockbreda got revenge by winning 3-2 on Boxing Day, when Ards really didn't perform.
It is unlikely that Greg Hall will be fit while Kyle Calderwood may be out for some time, Christopher Crane has completed his suspension and will therefore be available for inclusion in the squad.
Knockbreda are currently in last place with just 24 points, although they do have two games in hand on 11th placed Newington who beat them 3-0 last Saturday and are now seven points above Breda, so wins are essential if they are to avoid automatic relegation. Prior to losing to Newington they conceded seven to the Welders but they are capable of surprise results as they won 3-2 at Wilgar Park on Valentine's night. Main danger man for Breda is Anthony Burns who has scored half of the 24 league goals his team have notched so far, including one in that 4-1 result in October.
Match Sponsors :- Regent Flooring, Newtownards.
Ball Sponsors :- Piggott and Sons, Recovery and Car Disposal, Belfast.
Match Officials :-
Referee :- Michael McKenna.
1st Assistant :- Ethan Craig.
2nd Assistant :- Robbie McMinn.