Lough 41 Championship.
Institute vs Ards.
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Saturday 18th September at 3.00 p.m
Ards make the long journey to Londonderry to take on an Institute side that have shown definite signs of improvement since Brian Donaghey took over as head coach a few weeks ago. Having lost their first four league games, since Donaghey took charge they have picked up six points from the last three league games and claimed a win in the BetMcClean League Cup with a 4-3 win over PSNI last Tuesday, a victory that earned them a trip to play Linfield in the next round.
Donaghey and John Bailie were of course team mates in the Ards side that won the First Division in 2000/2001, but memories, even good ones, count for nothing when there are three points at stake. Ards will be looking to at least hold on to second place in the table while the home side, currently in tenth place, will be hoping to put some distance between themselves and the current bottom two.
As predicted John Bailie rested a few regulars in his team's comfortable 4-0 BetMcClean League Cup win over Dollingstown on Wednesday that earned them a third round home tie against Cliftonville on October 13th. He also blooded a couple of youngsters from the bench, but he will no doubt field his strongest available eleven to start this important league fixture. Eamon McAllister joins his brother Dee Dee on the injured list and this game probably comes too soon for James Ferrin who was player of the month for August, as he recovers from the leg injury sustained at Newry. It is hoped that the rest has allowed some others who were carrying knocks to return to the starting line up, with Kyle Calderwood and Jamie Glover no doubt also pushing for a place after good performances on Wednesday.
The PASC are running a bus to this fixture, leaving the Social Club/Gibson's Lane at 12.45 p.m. Once again the fare has been capped at £10, great value for fans wishing to travel.
Referee : Neil Robinson.
1st Assistant : David Burns.
2nd Assistant : Nick Serb.
