Queen’s University host Bandon in the EYHL2 on Saturday in search of their first win in the competition this season.
The students have lost all three of their games so far and find themselves bottom of the group but come into the clash off the back of a 5-1 League win against Raphoe midweek.
Goals from Conor Irwin (2), Adam Reddick (2) and Andrew Clarke sealed the win which they will be looking to build on.
They face a Bandon side who are also winless in the competition with two losses and a draw against Bangor from their three games so far.
In Pool B, South Antrim host Cookstown in Lisburn as they hope to overtake their Ulster rivals in the group.
The sides met earlier this week in Men’s Premier League action with Cookstown coming out as 3-1 winners with goals from Greg Allen and Jack Haycock (2).
Both sides also come into Saturday’s game having won their most recent fixtures in the EYHL2 with the mid-Ulster side having beaten Railway Union while South Antrim thrashed the same side 6-0 a week prior. Cookstown could also be crowned champions of the Men’s Premier League should Kilkeel fail to beat Belfast Harlequins.
The Co Down side are nine points behind the League leaders with three games remaining this season.
Having been in sensational form this campaign, they have been led by the division’s top scorer Luke Russell who has 18 strikes so far.
However, they now face a Belfast Harlequins side who beat them 4-2 in the reverse fixture and still have plenty to play for themselves.
Should Quins win all three of their remaining games they would guarantee third spot in the table and seal EYHL2 qualification for next season.
But the chances of them doing a League double over Kilkeel have been dealt a blow as they come into the game without top scorer Michael Patterson and goalkeeper James Acheson.
At the other end of the table, Raphoe’s relegation will be sealed if they fail to beat NICS at Playball, Stormont.
Having been promoted last season the side are seven points behind Saturday’s opponent with three games remaining.
The last time the sides met they played out a 2-2 draw, a result which if matched would send Raphoe to the Intermediate League.
Meanwhile, a win for NICS could drag North Down into the relegation fight as the gap would then be just one point between the two sides.
They travel to fourth-placed Portadown on Saturday looking to extend the gap to those below them.
PHOTO: FRONT ROW UNION
