Ards vs Carrick Rangers.
Promotion/Relegation play-off. [2nd leg].
Bangor Fuels Arena.
Monday May 6th at 7.45 p.m.
Ards face their most important game of the season, probably their most important game since the 2016 League Cup Final, when they face Carrick Rangers on Monday night in the second leg of the play-off games that will determine which League the team play next season.
Following the first leg Ards find themselves with a one goal deficit from a game that saw them miss a few chances while coming up against an inspired display from ex-Ards stopper Aaron Hogg in the Carrick goal. Most neutrals and even a few Carrick fans felt that Ards edged the game on Friday but needed a bit more composure when the chances were created.
There wasn't a lot of flowing football in that first game, on a notoriously sloping pitch, but hopefully the playing surface at Bangor will allow Ards to put on the kind of performance that over recent weeks has earned them the play-off spot. Carrick will come with no fear, having beaten Ards twice this season, the first time being the Irish Cup game at Bangor in January, a game that also finished 1-0. They also have had three of their players named in the Championship team of the season and will no doubt feel that they can get a goal to make the task more difficult for Ards.
Hopefully Ards will be boosted by a big home crowd and there should be a full panel for Warren Feeney to choose from, with the obvious exception of long term absentees Sean Noble and Jason Mooney. Fans will no doubt hope to see David McAllister in the panel, as while he has had a quiet season by his standards he has genuine pace and could cause problems for Carrick. Whatever the starting eleven chosen, they must match the effort of a strong Carrick side and produce the extra bit of class that will hopefully turn things in their favour.
Away goals do not count double in the play-offs, so in the event of aggregate scores being level at the end of the game, there will be extra time and penalty kicks if the extra time fails to produce further goals.
As is customary for these games, season tickets will not be valid and admission is £11 and £7 for concessions.
Match Sponsor : H & J Carnduff, Conway Square, Newtownards.
Referee : Evan Boyce.
Assistant 1 : Paul Robinson.
Assistant 2 : Ken Ross.
4th Official : Andrew Davey.