'Derby' fixture will whet fans' appetite for semi

Both sides will have more than one eye on respective JJB Irish Cup assignments this weekend – Ballymena preparing for their semi-final against Portadown, while Coleraine await the winners of the seemingly endless Newry v Loughgall saga in the last eight.

For Ballymena, tonight's match represents a financial bonus, with an unexpected home gate against their 'derby' rivals, who slipped into the bottom six at the weekend.

“We now have a local derby which will keep the players on their toes ahead of the semi-final,”said United boss Roy Walker.

“We need to exercise due dilligence. In a local derby we can't afford to play people who aren't fit and we also have to respectfully keep an eye on players to give them the best chance of being available for Saturday.

“It's a real a opportunity for the players to sharpen their intellect and keep us competitively playing games ahead of Saturday.

“It's great for the club because we have suffered from the fixture list in the past two years and we're grateful for any money coming into the coffers.

“I have no intention of forfeiting the game – there are bragging rights involved and, like ourselves, they have an important Irish Cup tie as well, albeit a round further back.

Midfielders Philip Carson and Darren Lockhart played for the Reserves on Saturday, while Walker also expects to call up keeper Sean O'Neill, midfielder Aaron Lemon and striker James McLaughlin from the second string.