Ballyclare Comrades vs Ards.
Bluefin Sport Championship.
Dixon Park, Ballyclare.
Saturday 19th October at 3.00 p.m.
Following their injury time heartbreak on Tuesday night Ards travel to Ballyclare to continue their League campaign in fifth place, behind other promotion hopefuls such as Portadown, Ballinamallard and Newry City and nine points behind League leaders Loughgall. Nothing less than a win will pacify fans that had hoped for a much stronger start to the season. The unbeaten run of five games came to a shuddering halt with the 5-1 defeat at Newry last weekend and that late County Antrim Shield defeat on Tuesday night will not have improved morale on or off the field.
Ards do have the edge in terms of the only previous meeting with the Comrades this season, which ended in a 2-0 win for the red and blues, but new manager Paul Harbinson hadn't really had a chance to put his mark on the team at that stage. The Comrades, like most teams in the Championship have had some strange results, their last three games show a 5-1 defeat to Newry and a draw and a win against Dundela and Ballinamallard respectively. They can score goals, with 24 notched in their dozen league games so far, but they have conceded 27 in those games, so a scoreless draw is unlikely.
Fans will be interested to see Warren Feeney's selection, he made three changes to the starting line up on Tuesday without a change in fortune although with a better performance, but his options are limited with David McAllister still doubtful, while Dylan Wilson had to be substituted on Tuesday night after coming in for some robust tackling from the Welder's defence. Whatever his first choice fans will be looking for a committed performance and a win.
Any fans travelling to the game are encouraged to use the PASC bus, which leaves the Social Club/Gibson's Lane at 1.45 p.m.
Match Officials .
Referee : Declan Hassan.
1st Assistant : Jamie Patterson.
2nd Assistant : Brian Wilson.