Local rivals Instonians and Belfast Harlequins go head-to-head in a blockbuster tie in the Men’s Premier League this afternoon.
It was Quins who impressed on the opening weekend when they convincingly beat fellow EYHL2 hopefuls South Antrim 4-1 with goals from Aaron Murphy, Matthew Gray and Connor Trimble (2).
Meanwhile, on Wednesday night, Instonians got their season up and running with a narrow win over North Down- marking a first win under new coach Mark Evans.
These two sides last met on the final day of last season when a Cameron Ruttle hat-trick helped Harlequins to a 5-3 win at Deramore Park.
At Edenvilla, both Portadown and Queen’s University are looking to make it back-to-back wins when they meet on matchday two.
Hosts Portadown produced an incredible comeback to beat Bangor 4-3 last weekend, having trailed 3-0. Four goals from Ryan Bennett sealed the win for his side as they now take on a student side who produced the standout performance of the opening weekend.
Goals from Harris Massey (3), Ben Law (2), Sam McMillan (2), Charlie McKeown and Philip Campbell helped the side to a 9-1 win over Kilkeel last Friday.
Saturday’s clash will also see the end of one of these sides current records with Portadown on the longest winning streak in the league (4) whilst Queen’s University are on the longest unbeaten run (7) of any side going back to last season.
Elsewhere, Mossley host North Down at The Glade, with the newly promoted side hoping they can build on an impressive opening day win.
Last week, the Intermediate League champions got their first scalp of the season as they beat CI Annadale 3-2 with goals from Neal Glassey (2) and Ross McIvor.
Now playing their first home game of the season, they face a North Down side who were beaten 3-2 by Instonians midweek.
With aspirations of a title challenge, CI Annadale will be hoping they can bounce back from last weekend’s aforementioned defeat to Mossley when they travel to Kilkeel.
The Belfast club are without a win in their last four games going back to last season, but now take on a side who suffered a 9-1 defeat on the opening day of the campaign.
The final game of the day sees South Antrim host Bangor at Friends’ School Lisburn.
Both sides come into matchday two off the back of opening day defeats to Belfast Harlequins and Portadown and will now be hoping to get off the mark with a win this afternoon.
The game marks the first meeting between these two sides since last season’s Anderson Cup Final, when it was Bangor who came out on top, winning 3-2.
PHOTO: Front Row Union