Saturday Morning League: tomorrow's games previewed
Premier Division
HML v HATMORE HARPS (at Brandywell Showgrounds)
It’s never a bad thing when you score four goals against the league champions, except maybe when you concede seven at the other end.
Hatmore will be annoyed but not altogether devastated at their performance against Creggan Swifts on Saturday last as they pushed the league champions all the way.
Hatmore showed great character to not only fighting back but also taking the lead at 4-3.
They ran out of legs late on however and Creggan took full advantage.
They can take plenty of positives from that game however, which cannot be said for HML, who failed to field last week.
That’s not like them.
Hopefully, they can get back at it this weekend.
Prediction: Hatmore to take the points. BENTLEY v CREGGAN SWIFTS (at Lisnagelvin No 2)
Bentley have enjoyed little joy this season.
It seems that no matter how well they play or how much they improve from setbacks, luck is always against them.
They fought back brilliantly from two goals down against Brandywell Celtic at the weekend, only to lose to a late goal from Jake Doherty.
That was a sore one on the Bentley but all they can do is shake it off and prepare for Creggan Swifts.
They have nothing to lose in this one as no one will expect them to do anything against Creggan Swifts, so why not give it a go?
The Creggan defence is far from solid, so there could be a goal or two in this for the Bentley if they believe in themselves.
Prediction: Plenty of goals but a Creggan win. WESTBANK UNITED v ROSEMOUNT (at Prehen No 1)
Westbank were having it all their own way this season, until they met a Clifton Villa team determined to regain their former status as a title-challenger.
That 3-1 win for Villa last weekend really opened things up at the top of the Premier Division and makes it more interesting for the neutral.
Westbank won’t see it that however and that could mean bad news for Rosemount.
The former league leaders will want to hit back with a win this week and they will go all guns blazing in this one.
Rosemount have been decent this season, but they are unlikely to match a Westbank side, especially one stung by an unexpected defeat.
Prediction: Westbank back to winning ways. TAMNAHERIN CELTIC v CLIFTON VILLA (at Lettershandoney)
This is a massive game for Clifton Villa.
Make no mistake about it, if they fail to win here, they might as well scrap their win over Westbank.
That victory has put Villa right back into the title mix and if they can win their two games in hand they will be level at the top with both Westbank and Creggan Swifts.
It is up to Paddy Tracey now to bring consistency into Villa’s game.
If he succeeds than Clifton Villa will stand a real chance this year. Hopefully they can do it, but there are few trickier ties than Tamnaherin away.
Villa really need to be on their game here.
Prediction: Villa to scrape the win. Championship PHOENIX ATHLETIC COLTS v STRABANE ATHLETIC (at Lisnagelvin No 4) Phoenix could have closed the gap on league leaders Foyle Harp to just four points at the weekend but they let a 2-1 lead slip and ended up on the losing side.
Whether the league title was realistically in Phoenix’s sights is unlikely, but a shot at promotion still exists and if they can get one over Strabane this weekend, they will be back in with a chance.
That is easier said than done however as Strabane have been going great guns lately, hitting eight against Culmore at the weekend.
They remain hot on the heels of Foyle Harps and will not want to slip further behind.
Prediction: Strabane to nick it. DUNGIVEN v FOYLE HARPS (at Dungiven)
Dungiven have been extremely hit and miss this season and they sit firmly in mid-table as a result.
Even with home advantage they are unlikely to trouble league leaders Foyle Harps.
Harps have hurdled each challenge with ease so far this season and they look odds on for promotion.
They showed great character to see off Phoenix Athletic Colts at the weekend, coming from behind to pick up yet another three points to extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points.
They have the bit between their teeth this season and it would be a major surprise if Dungiven halted them in their tracks.
Prediction: Another win for Foyle Harps. CLOONEY v CULMORE (at St Columb’s No 2)
There is very little between these two teams this season – just one point in fact.
Neither team are making much noise in the Championship, and that will likely be the case for the remainder of the season.
It is however, concerning times for Culmore, who hipped eight goals at home to Strabane Athletic at the weekend.
They will want to shape up very quickly otherwise they could end up with another loss to their name.
Culmore could jump up into mid-table with a victory here, and they will feel that their opponents are there for the taking, considering last week’s result.
Prediction: Culmore to win. CITY COLTS v TRISTAR (at Prehen No 4)
City Colts should not be discarded when it comes to promotion from the Championship this season.
Nor, in fact, should they be counted out of the title race.
They continue to impress on a weekly basis, their latest victory a 6-1 rout of Foyle FC, and if they win their games in hand they will be level on points with Foyle Harps in first place.
Tristar picked up a good point against Dungiven last week but they will need to be at their absolute best to get a point from this weekend’s fixture; even then, that may not be enough as the Colts are on fire.
Prediction: Colts to score another bagful. ARTIGARVAN v NEWTON HEATH (at Prehen No 6)
There is little hope for Artigarvan at this stage.
The best they can do is keep plugging away and hopefully they can attract some new players to strengthen their team.
They deserve credit for coming out every week and giving it a go, with is more than can be said for some other teams this season.
Hopefully, things can turn around for them, but it is difficult to see that happening this weekend, particularly as Newton Heath are in such fine form.
Prediction: Three wins on the trot for Newton Heath. SION SWIFTS v FOYLE FC (at Strabane)
Foyle FC have really struggled in recent weeks and they conceded another six goals at the weekend against high-flying City Colts.
The fixture list has not been kind to them this week either as they face Sion Swifts team in brilliant form.
Sion are sitting in fifth place but they have several games in hand over the teams above them, and if they keep their form up they could be a real contender for promotion.
They should get all three points this weekend to help them on their way.
Prediction: A home win for Sion.