Ards vs Ballyclare Comrades.
Bluefin Sport Championship.
Bangor Fuels Arena.
Saturday 11th January at 3.00 p.m.
It's back to League action for Ards after the cup exit last weekend as John Bailie's men look for their fourth league win in a row. Opponents Ballyclare will be boosted by their last minute cup win over Harland and Wolff Welders last weekend which earned them a money spinning tie at home to Larne in the next round.
Ballyclare's league form has been indifferent of late, with only two wins in their last eight games and those were away to QUBFC and PSNI, they find themselves in eighth position, eight points behind the Red and Blues who have a game in hand.
Craig McClean, who was our caretaker manager prior to John Bailie's appointment, recently became first team coach at Dixon Park will be making a quick return to his old stomping ground. He will obviously know a lot about the Ards set up and players, although John Bailie has changed things around on the field and has made a number of new signings that may feature in the match day panel. Johnny Taylor, who was substituted against Carrick is an injury doubt as is Ben Cushnie who has missed the last few games.
Ballyclare have featured in a few high scoring games this season, but are as likely to concede as they are to score, with 39 scored and 40 conceded in league games so far. Joe Tully is their leading marksman with 12 goals in eighteen starts.
In the last five Championship games between the sides, going back to 2015, Ards are unbeaten with three wins and two draws, home fans will be hoping that sequence continues and moves on to four wins and two draws!
Match Officials :
Referee : Diarmuid Hargan.
1st Assistant : Mark O'Brien.
2nd Assistant : Gavin Andrews.
Match Sponsor : The Universal Bootleggers.
Ball Sponsor : Tim's Traditional Fish and Chips, Newtownards.