IN-form Larne visit the Showgrounds this Saturday, hoping to take a further step closer to Premier League survival.

The Inver Park men sit only one point from safety, a position their supporters couldn't have dared imagine in December, when Paul Curran took over the sacked Jim Hagan in the dreaded East-Antrim hotseat. Since then though, the Inver Reds have claimed credible draws over Linfield, Portadown and Cliftonville in March whilst winning crunch games against Glenavon and Newry City. Whilst still in the relegation zone, they are now only a single point off Donegal Celtic in fourteenth place.

Ironically Curran's first game in charge of Larne was at home to Ballymena in December, when a single Randal Reid goal was enough to give United the win on a cold Friday night. Despite the Sky Blues having very little to play for after their cup exit to Linfield last Saturday, the omens don't bode well for Larne as you have to go back to 1988 for their last league win at the Showgrounds. Their last win against the Sky Blues however came in the Irish Cup semi-final in April 2005, when a single Mark Dickson penalty was enough to see Larne into the final of the cup; they then went onto lose 5-1 to Portadown.

Tommy Wright this week promised that youth would get it's chance in the team for the remaining five games, however it is unclear who will get the nod. Albert Watson, Gareth McConaghie, Gavin Melaugh and Lee Patrick are all likely to be out; while Stuart King is also a doubt with an ankle problem. Stephen Lowry is expected to come back into contention after being cup-tied for the Linfield game.

Key Player

Midfielder come striker, Lewis Hamlin, has been pivotal in Larne's upturn in fortunes over recent weeks. Signed by Jimmy McGeough in January 2005 from Chorley Town - Hamlin played in the Larne side that defeated Ballymena en-route to the 2005 Irish Cup final. Formerly with Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers, Lewis is based in England.

Ex-Players

Ballymena's only connection with Larne is resident Gary Haveron, who however hasn't ever appeared in Larne colours. There are three ex-Ballymena youth players in the Larne squad; reserve goalkeeper Keith Wilson joined Larne last summer from Wakehurst after spending his early days at United. Midfielder Johnny Montgomery played a handful of games udner Kenny Shiels, including coming on in the Intertoto Cup defeat to Odense. Ballymena born, Ross Handford appeared at youth level as well - however none of the three are expected to start for Paul Curran's side this Saturday.

Previous Meetings

DATE	COMPETITION	HOME TEAM	SCORE	AWAY TEAM
01-12-06	Premier League	Larne	0-1	Ballymena United
25-01-06	County Antrim Shield	Larne	0-3	Ballymena United
02-01-06	Premier League	Larne	1-2	Ballymena
17-09-05	Premier League	Ballymena United	1-0	Larne
30-04-05	Premier League	Ballymena United	0-0	Larne

Form Guide

	BALLYMENA UNITED	LARNE
LEAGUE POSITION	9th - 33 points	15th - 17 points
TOP SCORER	Kevin Kelbie (12)	Lewis Hamlin (9)
FORM (LAST SIX MATCHES)	WDDWLL	DLDDLD
LAST RESULT	L 2-4 v. Linfield (a)	D 1-1 v. Portadown (a)