Banbridge could book their spot in the Kirk Cup knockout stages when they host high-flying Mossley on Saturday afternoon.
The EYHL side top Pool B after the opening weekend and a win this weekend would guarantee their status as group winners.
Scott McCandless’ side got off to a flying start, beating Bangor 7-1 last weekend with goals from Owen McElhenny (2), Adam McKee (2), Jake Rowe, Callum Robson and Edward Rowe.
Opponents Mossley are set to play their first game of the competition but come into the tie in the midst of an impressive league campaign.
Currently sitting third in the Men’s Premier League, they come into the weekend as the division’s second-highest scorers in the division.
In Pool C, there is an all-Premier League affair as Belfast Harlequins host Queen’s University at Deramore Park.
The home side come into the tie on their best run of form this season, having gone unbeaten across their last four games.
Most recently, goals from Davy Fraser, Robin Quigley and Ewan Hutchinson helped the side to an impressive 3-1 win over CI Annadale to see them move to within touching distance of the EYHL2 places.
Now set to contest their first Kirk Cup tie of the season, they take on a University side who have already beaten them this campaign.
Back in October, Matthew Bell’s side put six past Saturday’s opponents with Ben Law getting on the scoresheet twice, something he also achieved in last weekend’s competition opener with Cookstown last weekend.
The students got their competition off to a stunning start, having trailed 3-0 before coming back to rescue a point against their EYHL opponents.
At the Comber Leisure Centre, North Down are hoping to end their 11-game winless run in all competitions when they host Instonians.
Gareth McKeown’s side are without a win this season, last winning in their final game of the 2024/25 season when they beat NICS in a Promotion/Relegation Playoff match.
They now take on familiar opponents in Instonians who they have already met twice this season.
Just three weeks ago the sides played out an eight-goal thriller with the Belfast side coming out on top with a 5-3 win to complete a league double over North Down having also beaten them 3-2 on matchday one.
Looking to make it a hat-trick of wins against Saturday’s opponents, Instonains will be hoping Stephen Kelso can continue his own goalscoring form against them.
The Inst forward has scored in three of his last four games against the Comber side, including both meetings this campaign in which he has scored three times.
PHOTO: Front Row Union