Ards up first at Showgrounds

Ards are amongst the favourites for the Ladbrokes.com Championship this season along with Loughgall and Bangor who have strengthened their squads considerably.

The two games between the sides were closely contested last season. United won 3–2 at the Showgrounds although they should have won by more.

The second game, which was played at Ballyclare, ended 2-2, although by that stage United were out of the Championship race.

Ards opening game of the season ended 3-3 as they let slip a three goal lead at home to Ballymoney United.

Kincaid will certainly be far from happy about this result and will be looking to set things right this weekend against United.

However Roesiders manager Oran Kearney will be looking for maximum points from his first home game of the season.

"We will be going into this game looking to get all three points from the game no matter who we are playing," he said.

"We know it's going to be a tough game for us but it's these types of games that you have to win if you want to be considered title contenders.

"The likes of Ards and Loughgall are going to be the teams to beat this season again and that's what we will have to do.

"Make no mistake this will not be an easy game for us and we know exactly what way they will come and play against us.

"Tommy Kincaid will have his team well motivated for the game and they have plenty of dangerous players in their team.

"They have plenty of players with Premiership experience and there is no doubt that this will be a tough game for us.

"However as a player this is the type of game that you want to be involved in and we will have the boys ready for it," concluded Kearney.

Going into the game United are definitely without the services of Michael Doherty who will be out for a few months with a rib injury.

The Roesiders are also missing Chris Rodden who has been given a few weeks off after his involvement in the Milk Cup.

At the time of going to press United were to play Tobermore United last night (Tuesday) in the North West Senior Cup.