Courts to recover after cup loss

Sion Swifts and Maghera Strollers both had good away wins at Dungannon Rovers and Lurgan Institute respectively.

In the Matt Morrison Junior Cup there were no shocks. Newtowne were made to fight all the way before overcoming Upperlands, BBOB lost to Roe Rovers while Drummond overcame a gallant Donemana. There were wins for City Colts, Liverpool Supporters Club, Irish Street, Greysteel, Park, Aghadowey and Claudy United.

There are three games in the Premier Division.

Greysteel play Drummond and both these sides are safely in the middle of the table. They are also involved in the Junior Cup after recording wins last week. The home side (Greysteel) have a few games in hand and they will be looking for a top four finish. The Roesiders on their day can be excellent but they are a bit inconsistent; a draw looks the likely outcome.

Roe Rovers booked their place in the next round of the Junior Cup last Saturday; they seem to play their best football in the cup competitions and if they can transfer that form to the league they can move up the table. They play at home to Draperstown Reserves, a workman-like side with no real stars. They always give one hundred per cent but Roe Rovers are still favourites.

Newtonne play Burndennett at home and are hoping to extend their lead at the top of the league. Their nearest challengers are involved in a Junior Cup tie. Newtowne were made to fight all the way to the end but came through once more. John McDaid will have his Burndennet side up for this one. Their best results have come away from home so they won’t be overawed. The home side are a bit special and should win.

There are four games scheduled in the Matt Morrison Junior Cup this Saturday.

In the match between Claudy Rovers and Foyle Wanderers, the home team (Claudy) will be hoping things improve as they are having a poor season and are in the bottom four in the league. The visitors’ main aim is promotion and they have a side well capable of doing that; they will relish this chance to cause a bit of an upset and they may do just that.

In the game between Dungiven Reserves and Maghera Strollers, the home side (Dungiven) will be big underdogs. If they can get a full strength team on the field they could give their Premiership opponents plenty to think about. Strollers had an excellent away win in the Irish Junior Cup last week and they will want to build on that. If they can keep a settled side they could go far in this competition.

Lincoln Courts will look to get back on track at home to Desertmartin after losing in the Irish Junior Cup. They are still chasing Newtowne in the league but this is a cup they would love to win. The visitors play in the Coleraine league and are a useful side. The home side are expected to bounce back from last week’s disappointment.

When Sion Swifts face Ardmore there should be a great game on show. Both sides are battling for promotion in their respective divisions. The Tyrone men are having a good run in the Irish Junior Cup and they have assembled a very good team.

Ardmore bowed out of the Irish Junior two weeks ago. They have a mostly local side with some exciting talent but Sion Swifts are favourites.