League and Irish Junior games take centre stage

Lincoln Courts after a number of lean seasons couldn’t have got off to a better start when they travelled to reigning champions Ardmore and recorded a 6-3 victory with Mark Hamilton and Gary King having excellent games for Kolyn Patterson’s side.

BBOB travelled to newly promoted Donemana and had an equally impressive 4-1 victory.

This Saturday there are a number of local sides involved in first round matches in the Coca/Cola Irish Junior Cup as well as three games in the Premier Division.

Premier Division

Donemana v Newbuildings United Reserves

The home side suffered a home defeat last week against a strong BBOB side, however they were not at full strength but hope to have everyone available for this one, they know to survive in this division they must pick up points at home.

Newbuildings will introduce a couple of young players into their side this season, they are a side who like to knock it about and they may get a point form this one.

Prediction: Score Draw.

Lincoln Courts v Ballykelly

The Courts got off to a flier at Ardmore last week, they have recruited well during the close season and they look now to have a side that will be challenging for trophies this season.

Ballykelly didn’t play last week, they finished off last season with some excellent performances and they will be looking to get their campaign off to a good start, however the Courts may prove to strong.

Prediction: Lincoln Courts.

Dungiven Reserves v Drummond

The home side are quietly confident of causing a few shocks this season, they will again rely on a mixture of experience and youth and are always a difficult side to beat at home.

Drummond due to cricket commitments may not be at full strength, they had a disappointing season last time and will be hoping for a big improvement this time round.

Prediction: Score Draw.

Irish Junior Cup

Artigarvan v Irish Street

This all North West clash sees Second Division side take on the First Division.

The home side haven’t been in the league very long but have done reasonably well with what is basically a local side.

Irish Street from the First Division have made a few new signings but they have also lost players, they still should progress.

Prediction: Irish Street.

Ardmore v Ford

Damien McGee won’t be happy after last Saturday’s defeat, although scoring three goals he can’t be happy with his defence conceding six, on paper they have an outstanding side with quality throughout and they have a good record in this competition.

The visitors play in Division two of the Daily Mirror Amateur and lost last week away at Bangor Rangers, they may feel the wrath of McGee’s men.

Prediction: Ardmore.

St Oliver Plunkett v Caw

Caw make the long journey to Belfast with more or less the same panel as last season, they know that if it is not to be another one of struggle they must show a big improvement, however they can be relied upon to give it 100 per cent.

The home side are another one who play in Division two of the Amateur league and they had a good win away from home last Saturday so they will be confident of making the next round.

Prediction: St Oliver Plunkett.

Race view v BBOB

This has been selected as the match of the round, Raceview have a good record in the competition, they are a well established club who will go into the game as favourites.

The Old Boys have a strong panel and like their opponents their record in this cup is quite good, with two sides who like to knock it about there should be plenty of thrills.

Prediction: BBOB.