Linfield are in mid-week Sports Direct Premiership action, travelling north to take on Ballymena United at The Showgrounds (7.45pm k.o.). There is live coverage of the game on the BBC iPlayer and BBC NI Sports website.
Ballymena have had a roller coaster of a season, winning their first 3 league games before losing 3 on the bounce. On Saturday they conceded a late goal in a 2-3 defeat to Cliftonville at Solitude. After last season’s disappointing 9th place finish in the league table, manager Jim Ervin has added depth and quality to his squad, and among the new arrivals is former Linfield defender Matthew Clarke who spent last season with Livingston in the Scottish Championship.
Linfield maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a fully deserved 1-1 draw in the ‘Big Two’ derby with Glentoran at The Oval. The Blues enjoyed plenty of possession and created several goal scoring opportunities in a game that was a great advert for the local game. David Healy’s men were disappointed not to take full points back to Windsor Park.
The Blues can expect a tough 90 minutes against a Ballymena side who will be determined to make a speedy return to winning ways.
COYB!
By Ken Garrett.
