In the Men’s Premier League, leaders Cookstown travel to take on an in-form Portadown at Edenvilla.
The hosts suffered a heavy opening-day defeat at the hands of Queen’s University but are unbeaten since and have climbed to fourth in the division.
Their recent run has been largely helped by the individual form of Ryan Bennett who has netted a joint league-high of six goals this season and has scored in each of his sides last four outings.
However, if they are to keep up their recent success they will have to overcome a Cookstown side who are yet to lose this season.
Last weekend the reigning champions made it back-to-back wins as they beat last season’s runners-up Kilkeel.
The 3-2 win was sealed with goals from brothers Michael and Daniel Kerr as well as a penalty corner from Jack Haycock.
At the Aurora Leisure Centre, Bangor take on Queen’s University as they continue their search for their first points of the 2024/25 season.
To date, the home side have lost their opening four games and find themselves at the foot of the table. However, amongst their ranks is youngster JJ Holley who has netted in three of his side’s opening four games.
They now come up against a host of familiar faces as Ben Law, Sam McMillan and x x come up against their former side for the first time since departing in the summer.
The students come into the game off the back of a loss to Belfast Harlequins when despite taking a 1-0 lead through Philip Campbell, they lost 2-1.
Now looking for a return to winning ways, a win could see the side finish the weekend in the top half.
Elsewhere, Kilkeel are looking to kickstart their season as they take on ninth-placed North-Down.
Last season saw Kilkeel come second in the division and in the title race for much of the campaign, however, they have already lost more games this season than last.
Despite four losses, the side are amongst the highest-scoring teams in the division with 14 strikes and are led by Jordan McCartan and Luke Russell who have netted three goals each this season.
North Down come into the tie off the back of a heavy 5-2 defeat against Instonians despite goals from Andrew Welsh and Frazer McCain.
The side are looking to avoid a third straight loss this weekend with a win potentially enough to send them finish the weekend in seventh place.
The game also marks the first meeting between these two sides since last campaign’s Irish Hockey Trophy final which saw Kilkeel run out 6-2 winners.
PHOTO: Front Row Union
