After last Friday’s valuable one goal win against Larne, Tommy Wright will be looking to push on and start getting some points back on the board, starting with the visit of Donegal Celtic to the Showgrounds this Saturday (3.00pm kick-off).

10th place United take on Paddy Kelly’s Celtic side who lie 14th in the Premier League. Whilst United won their first game in nine attempts at Inver Park last week, the West Belfast outfit are struggling to adapt to life in the top flight, as they only have the one win to show for their troubles; a 2-1 win over Limavady United on the opening day.

This, of course, will be the first competitive meeting between the two sides, as Donegal Celtic are competing in senior top-flight football for the first time this year – after being the first team outside the top division to win the end-of-season relegation play-off.

Therefore becoming the first ‘Celtic’ side to compete in the Irish League since Belfast Celtic’s acrimonious departure in 1949 – and despite a slow start to the season, they have caused the odd shock; namely drawing away with this seasons pace-setters – Glentoran and Cliftonville.

Ballymena manager Tommy Wright has a welcome selection problem though, as leading scorer Kevin Kelbie returns from a one game suspension, and will contend with Randal Reid and Darren Fitzgerald for a starting berth. Craig McClean is expected to start again, after showing to problems in his first game back from a groin injury against Larne.

Key Player

Former Northern Ireland Under-21 midfielder, Gavin Melaugh, has been a key part of the Hoops’ midfield since joining in pre-season from Glentoran. The former Aston Villa and Rochdale man had spent three years at the Oval, winning an Irish League medal in 2005. But, the Londonderry man was released in the summer and was snapped up by Paddy Kelly. The midfielder, who can also play at full-back, has scored twice this season, including the winner against Limavady United in their Premier Division bow.

Ex-Sky Blues

One of the most familiar faces in the DC line-up will be two-time former Ballymena United player of the year, Ciaran Donaghy – who moved to the Hoops from United in the summer. The versatile defender was signed by Kenny Shiels in July 2003, from Lancaster City, and was a virtual ever present in the Ballymena team for three seasons, before leaving to join Celtic.

A former Ballymena player currently getting an extended run in the first team is Kevin Duff, the diminutive midfielder was one of ‘Kenny’s Kids’ in the First Division and left to join Bangor in late 2003, before joining Paddy Kelly’s side a year later.

Second-choice goalkeeper, Alex Spackman, had a short spell between the sticks at the Showgrounds in 2000 when Nigel Best was in charge, and finally former Ballymena reserve team full-back, Gerard McCabe, also moved to West Belfast in the summer after making a handful of appearances for the firsts.

Previous Meetings

None.

Form Guide

Ballymena United
League Position: 10th – 12 points.
Top Scorer: Kevin Kelbie (6)
Home Form (Last 6 Games) - WLLDDL

Donegal Celtic
League Position: 14th – 7 points.
Top Scorer: Daniel Lyons (3)
Away Form (Last 6 Games) – LLLDLD