It’s Amateur League derby day across East Antrim

This weekend the Amateur League fixture generator has thrown up no less than three all-East Antrim clashes for local clubs to get their teeth into.

First up, in Division 1A, it’s the small matter of Barn United v Larne Tech. It’s just under a month since these two rivals last met and that one ended in a high-scoring 3-3 draw at Dennis Harvey Park.

Marty Steele’s late strike salvaged a point for the Old Boys in a dramatic game which saw Barn’s Paul Mathers red-carded, and Turkish frontman Sencer Yilmaz net a brace.

The Times described the last meeting as a “blood-and-thunder” encounter and we can expect more of the same come 2 pm on Saturday at Haslett Park.

At Cloyne Crescent, 18th Newtownabbey welcome back their old boss, Garry Campbell, now in charge of local rivals, Mossley. Both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils the last time the two teams met but this could be an altogether different affair with new players arriving through the door at both squads.

Elsewhere, Ballyclare side Grange Rangers travel to Castleview Road to lock horns with Whitehead Eagles. Admittedly, it hasn’t been the best of seasons for the Eagles in terms of results, but the home side will be going all out to exact at least some revenge for the 7-0 mauling they suffered at Foundry Lane earlier in the campaign.

n Inside: East Antrim Amateur League coverage