Another intriguing weekend of Championship action is ahead, with plenty still to play for at both ends of the table despite the season only being a few weeks old. Newington will look to continue their excellent start at the top, while several sides will be hoping this weekend can provide the spark their season needs.
Strabane Athletic vs Newry City (Friday)
Strabane Athletic will be looking to respond after a difficult start to the season. They have picked up just one league win so far and were heavily beaten by Queen’s University last weekend, so a strong performance at home would be a welcome response.
Newry City have been the definition of inconsistent so far. Their results have fluctuated between wins, defeats and draws, with last weekend’s late equaliser against Armagh City at least preventing another disappointing home defeat. They have enough quality to challenge near the top of the table, but they need to start putting a run together.
Annagh United vs H&W Welders
Two sides who have made positive starts to the season meet in what could be one of the games of the weekend.
Annagh have responded well to their opening-day defeat and have now put together a strong run of form, including last weekend’s comeback victory over Ards.
The Welders, meanwhile, bounced back impressively from their County Antrim Shield defeat to Bangor by winning 4-1 away to Moyola Park.
Both sides will feel they have the quality to challenge towards the top end of the table, making this an interesting early test.
Ards vs Rathfriland Rangers
Ards will be looking to turn their recent league form around after consecutive defeats. Their start to the season had initially been encouraging, but they will know they need to avoid allowing this poor run to continue.
Rathfriland remain the only side in the division without a point and are still searching for their first real breakthrough. They have competed in games without getting the results their performances deserve, and sooner or later they will believe that run has to end.
Could this be the weekend?
Armagh City vs Institute
Armagh City will take confidence from last weekend’s performance against Newry City. The Eagles came from behind to lead and were only denied all three points by a late equaliser.
That result showed that they are more than capable of competing at this level, particularly against the sides expected to challenge towards the top. Institute, meanwhile, picked up an important 2-0 victory away to Rathfriland last weekend and will be hoping that can kickstart their own season.
Both sides will see this as a genuine opportunity to pick up three points.
Ballinamallard United vs Glenavon
Ballinamallard produced arguably the result of the weekend last time out, dismantling previously unbeaten Loughgall with a remarkable 6-1 victory.
It was the perfect example of the quality the Mallards possess, although consistency has been their biggest issue so far. If they can reproduce that level more regularly, they will be difficult for anyone in the division to stop.
Glenavon suffered a disappointing 3-2 defeat to Dundela last weekend, despite mounting a late fightback and hitting the woodwork twice. They had been on a strong run before that result and will be determined to respond quickly.
Newington vs Dundela
League leaders Newington continue to set the pace and maintained their position at the top with a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Warrenpoint Town last weekend.
They have been the standout side during the opening weeks, finding ways to win games and remaining remarkably difficult to beat. Dundela, however, arrive with plenty of confidence after picking up their first league victory of the season in dramatic fashion.
Matthew Ferguson’s hat-trick secured a 3-2 win over Glenavon, and the Duns will now be hoping that result can provide the platform for a much stronger run.
Queen’s University vs Loughgall
Queen’s University were outstanding last weekend as they swept Strabane Athletic aside with a 6-0 victory.
The Students have made a very positive start to the season, with plenty of attacking quality on show, and Stewart Nixon’s return has provided another significant boost. They will fancy their chances of another strong performance at home.
Loughgall, though, will be desperate to respond after the shock of their 6-1 defeat to Ballinamallard. Darren Murphy’s side had been unbeaten before that game, so it will be interesting to see how they react.
Warrenpoint Town vs Moyola Park
Warrenpoint suffered a narrow defeat to league leaders Newington last weekend, but there was no disgrace in that performance.
They have had a mixed start to the season but have shown enough to suggest they can compete with anyone in the division on their day. Moyola Park, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back after their 4-1 defeat to H&W Welders.
Both sides will see this as an opportunity to get back to winning ways, and with neither likely to settle for a point, it could be an entertaining way to round off the weekend.
