Ballynure to face Swifts this weekend

“When both teams arrived at Mossley for our home tie we were very doubtful about play being possible because of the partially frozen surface, and when the referee arrived he confirmed our reservations by declaring the pitch unsuitable for play,” said ‘Nure manager, Gary Burns.

“The tie will be played on Saturday, but at this moment the venue is in doubt,” he added. “As far as I am aware this Newtownabbey Council pitch is scheduled to be closed this weekend and if that is the case then we will have to forfeit home advantage and travel to west Belfast.

“However, I will be in contact with council officials to try to sort something out to our advantage,” he commented.

An away tie at Amateur League side Comber Rec awaits the winners of the clash.

The Swifts, managed by Pat McAllister, are an ambitious Championship 2 club who are serious title contenders.

So, irrespective of where this third-round tie is played, Burns’ lads will start as underdogs, but as Ballymena Premier League leaders they will not be short of confidence.

Burns is likely to select from: Hughes, Penny, Leckey, G Curlett, M Curlett, S Duff, M Duff, Officer, Forsythe, Robinson, McGreevy, Higgins, Watson, McIlroy, R Burns.