CLIFTONVILLE will bid to put the disappointment of their Solitude stalemate against Carrick Rangers behind them when they face Ballymena United in the fifth round of the Irish Cup today.
The Reds were left frustrated on Tuesday night as a 0-0 draw saw Gerard Lyttle’s men fell further behind Danske Bank Premiership table-toppers Crusaders.
Cliftonville now trail their north Belfast rivals by 10 points, but victory over David Jeffrey’s Braidmen at The Showgrounds would be a huge boost as they begin their latest attempt to end the club’s 38-year wait for an Irish Cup success.
Ballymena are currently fourth in the table, seven points behind Cliftonville, with both clubs claiming a win apiece in their league meetings to date this season.
Crusaders also face an all-Premiership tie in the fifth round after being paired with Ards. The Crues suffered consecutive Irish Cup final defeats in 2011 and 2012, and would love to transfer their league dominance to this competition.
To keep their hopes alive they must do what they did on Tuesday night by getting the better of Colin Nixon’s men.
Ards stormed into a 2-0 lead at the Bangor Fuels Arena but Stephen Baxter’s side didn’t panic and strikes from Paul Heatley (2), Declan Caddell and an Emmett Friars own goal saw them run out 4-2 winners.
Considering they can count on home advantage today, a similar outcome is expected.
Meanwhile, Eoin Bradley could spearhead the Coleraine attack after making his second debut for the Bannsiders in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Linfield at Windsor Park.
The former Derry GAA star returned to Oran Kearney’s side from Glenavon earlier this week, while Coleraine have also added Antrim hurler Saul McCaughan to their ranks.
Second from bottom Carrick will have been buoyed by Tuesday’s hard-earned point at Solitude, but beating the Blues on their home patch will see Coleraine coming into today’s clash as strong favourites.
