Local derby rivals Armagh City and Loughgall will fight for a place in the final of the Bob Radcliffe Trophy this week.
The mouth-watering clash takes place at Holm Park tonight (Tuesday, November 11) and kicks-off at 7.30pm.
City and the Villagers have met once already this season, sharing the spoils in a hard fought Belfast Telegraph Championship One game at Lakeview Park.
But this cup match will be played to a finish – with the winners also claiming local bragging rights!
Armagh were without winger Shea McGerrigan against Bangor but, although in the panel, he was rested on the bench to protect a leg injury sustained in the Mid-Ulster Cup game against Newry City FC recently.
His rerurn would be welcomed by the Holm Park outfit – the current holders of the Bob Radcliffe Trophy.
Loughgall, however, will have exrtra incentive against City because, if they win the tie, then it is probable they will host the prestigue final at the traditional Lakeview Park venue on Boxing Day!
Currently, the Villagers are showing slightly better form than their City opponents and warned up for the cup encounter with a league point away at Donegal Celtic on Saturday last.
Armagh, meanwhile, went down 2-1 to Championship One leaders Bangor in a game they let slip in the final five minutes.
Too close to call, City v Loughgall should be a fascinatiing affair and a derby match not to be missed!
LEAGUE
Meanwhile, Armagh will return to league action this Saturday, November 15, when they entertain Donegal Celtic at Holm Park, kick-off 3pm.
City can leap-frog the Belfast outfit in the table with a victory and, hopefully, they will have a full panel to choose from.
The last time the teams met was some four seasons ago when the local outfit paraded several of their Spanish School imports during a defeat.
But those days are long gone as City now produce a team which has largely come through their youth ranks, or recruited within County Armagh.
Still missing from the local side’s line-up is midfielder Eamon Kelly who is slowly recovering from the foot injury sustained while playing for the Northern Ireland Eastern Regions team.
Otherwise, everyone else is available for this ‘must win’ match.
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