Saturday Morning League Previews
Chasing pack hunt Westbank
With Premier Division leaders Westbank United on a break this week the three teams closing in behind them will be keen for maximum points.
In the Championship Tamnaherin Celtic return to action after the sudden death of player Kevin King and they will aim for a good result to bolster their push for promotion.
Premier Division
Creggan Swifts vs Foyle Harps (Lisnagelvin 2)
Second placed Creggan have two games in hand and if they win both they will go top of the table. Harps are hanging in there and leading the group sitting mid-table. Four goals at the weekend against Sion will certainly be a good confidence boost but they will need their defence to stay alert for 90 minutes here.
Prediction: Creggan to get closer.
Bentley vs Clifton Villa (St Columbs No 2)
Bentley are going to find themselves in real relegation trouble if they don’t pick up some wins in the next few weeks. The upcoming test couldn’t be much tougher in the form of a Clifton Villa team bouncing back from disappointing defeat to Westbank. Goalkeeper Joe McGilloway will be eager to make amends in particular after his mistake cost Villa top spot in the table.
Prediction: A long day for Bentley.
Du Pont vs Sion Swifts (Du Pont)
This is a big battle at the bottom and both teams will go hell for leather in the search of points that would take them a step closer to safety. Swifts showed a spirited performance against Foyle Harps to score twice after finding themselves 4-0 down and Sean Devine could add to his tally against the poor Du Pont defence. Three points would guarantee Du Pont rise from the bottom of the table and that should be a massive motivation.
Prediction: All square in bottom battle.
Strabane Athletic vs Hatmore Harps (Strabane)
This could be a cracking game between two teams with very little to choose between them. Both sides scored four in their fixtures last weekend so they come into this game in high-scoring form. Sean McConnell and Cormac Carlin have been on fire as of late for Hatmore but with the quality of Willie Patterson in the Strabane side both defences will definitely be tested.
Prediction: Harps to edge it.
Brandywell Celtic vs Rosemount (Prehen No 1)
Celtic are just two points above the lowly Du Pont and Paul Doherty is an important player if they have any desire to ensure their safety as early as possible. Rosemount occupy a mid-table position but with seven points they are still in danger and defeat to Strabane didn’t help. David McCormick was denied by some excellent goalkeeping and Celtic will be on their toes.
Prediction: Three points for Celtic.
Championship
Ballymoor vs Artigarvan (Prehen No 4)
It seems there is only one way this tie could go with two teams at opposite ends of the table. Artigarvan couldn’t be coming into this tough game on the back of a worse result as they let in nine at the weekend. Dian Nash has been in superb form for Ballymoor but he was forced off with an injury against Trojans and could be a huge miss.
Prediction: Artigarvan’s misery compiled.
City Colts vs Newton Heath (Lisnagelvin No 4)
A good run of results was ended for the Colts last week against top flight opposition in the form of Brandywell Celtic. Conor Doherty got a hat-trick in Heath’s 9-0 hammering of Artigarvan last week and the pacy striker could bag a few more here. A win would put Newton right in the mix for a title that Tamnaherin looked to have already sealed up weeks ago.
Prediction: Heath to push for top.
Foyle FC vs Trojans (Leafair)
Foyle looked dead and buried at the bottom of table with five games played and no wins to their name but they added to a recent draw with their first win against Maiden City. For Trojans it has been a bit of an up and down season where they can’t seem to put some consistent results together and they will want a win here.
Prediction: Foyle revival to go on.
O’Sullivans vs Phoenix Athletic Colts (Templemore Central)
On the balance of results this will be a close affair but equally Phoenix have a realistic chance to put the pressure on the Tams. Three points would put them one behind their title rivals but O’Sullivans will be no pushover. Jake Stitt has been banging the goals in recently and Phoenix need to be careful to focus on defence as well as attack.
Prediction: Colts to keep up pressure.
Tamnaherin Celtic vs Maiden City (Lettershandoney)
Celtic have responded well to a heavy shock defeat to City Colts but their main issue is getting enough fit players in the squad. Maiden City could have gone just one point behind Celtic win a win last week but they suffered a surprising defeat of their own against bottom side Foyle and they will be keen to respond.
Prediction: Honours even in tight game.