AS BALLYMENA United enter the final leg of the Carnegie Premier League campaign, they face a crunch game against struggling Limavady United this Saturday.

The recent poor run of form has seen the Sky Blues slip down to sixth place in the table, and slowly fall out of contention for a possible European place come the end of the season.

Tommy Wright's men have still not won since New Years Day, and have now gone eight games without a win.

At the same time, Ollie Mullan's Limavady United side have endured a dismal run of form, their win last week against Glenavon was their first victory in twelve attempts since defeating Glentoran in December.

However, the Roeside Showgrounds have not been a happy hunting ground for the Braidmen in recent years, as they have only won one league encounter against Limavady in their own back yard since the North West side joined the senior ranks of the Irish League.

That victory was almost four years ago as well! When Gordon Simms struck late on to secure a 1-0 victory against Limavady United - then managed by Tommy Wright.

The former Limavady manager, Wright, hasn't enjoyed a good record against his former employers since taking over at the Warden Street Showgrounds; the 3-0 victory at home in November was the first win in seven attempts.

In the corresponding fixture last season, Ballymena drew 1-1 with Limavady United in a game in which Randal Reid scored United's goal on his full debut.

In team news ahead of Saturday's game Michael Ward may be in line for his first start since picking up a troubling hamstring injury away to Cliftonville in January.

Aidan Watson is also likely to feature again after returning from a lengthly lay-off in the defeat to Dungannon Swifts a fortnight ago. United boss Wright can nearly pick from a full panel for the trip to his former side.

The only player who will certainly be out is captain Albert Watson who will serve a one-match suspension, this will likely allow vice-captain Gary Haveron to return to the side.

Ex-Players

Dynamic winger Ryan McIlmoyle has attracted interest from a host of Irish League sides after his impressive performances in a struggling Limavady United side. He returned to his hometown club after a two year spell at Institute, where he won the First Division title last season, and he is currently the top scorer at Limavady United after grabbing his ninth of the season in the 3-0 victory over Glenavon a fortnight ago.

Ex-Players

For the home side, there are four former Ballymena United players on their books - firstly, midfielder Joe Gray was a Kenny Shiels signing in 2002 from Coleraine; he made 97 appearances and scored five goals before leaving to take up a teaching position in England. Trevor McLernon was another Shiels signing from Moyola Park in 2001 and he made 100 appearances scoring 16 goals, before being released in 2004.

In January striker Paul Brown left the Sky Blues to return to his former club after two years at the Showgrounds where he made 39 appearances and scored only six goals. Broughshane based striker Matthew Boyd stepped up from United’s reserve title winning side to the Roesiders in the summer, however he didn’t make a first team appearance at Ballymena.

The only two players currently at the Braid to have played at Limavady are midfielders Stephen Lowry and Lee Patrick, both of whom were signed from the Roesiders last season, both however are still trying to hold down a regular place in the engine room at Warden Street.

Matchday News

The Seven Towers Supporters Club will be running a bus to Limavady leaving Henry Street car park in Harryville at 1.45pm. All non-members are welcome to travel with the club to the game.

The Paradise Supporters Club has also extended an invitation to all members, past and present to join them on their bus to Limavady which leaves at 11.30am, which will be stopping in the North West for pre-match refreshments.