MATCH PREVIEW: ARDS v NEWRY CITY 31-10-2026

We return to BOYLE Sports Championship action on Saturday afternoon when we travel to Clandeboye Park to face Ards, looking to get back to winning ways following a disappointing run of results.

Last Friday’s 2-0 home defeat to Newington was a frustrating evening at the Showgrounds. In a scrappy encounter with few clear-cut opportunities, we remained in contention until two late goals condemned us to defeat.

That result followed our League Cup exit at Carrick Rangers and a 1-1 draw away to Queen’s University, leaving us looking for a first victory in four matches in all competitions.

Despite our recent setbacks, we head into the weekend sitting seventh in the Championship table with 19 points from 13 games, three points and three places above Saturday’s opponents.

Our away form offers encouragement though, with three wins, two draws and just one defeat from our opening six league fixtures on the road.

THE OPPOSITION

Ards have also endured an inconsistent start to the campaign and currently occupy tenth position with 16 points.

They were held to a 1-1 draw away to Armagh City last weekend, having previously suffered a 2-0 home defeat against Institute. Their most recent league victory was a surprise win away to league leaders Newington on 9 October, when they recorded a 2-0 win.

Home form has been a particular concern for Ards, who have managed just one victory from their opening six Championship fixtures at Clandeboye Park.

RECENT MEETINGS

We enjoyed the better of our three Championship encounters with Ards during the 2024/25 Championship season, winning twice after suffering defeat in the opening meeting.

Ards claimed a convincing 4-1 victory at the Showgrounds in October 2024, but we responded with a 1-0 win at Clandeboye Park in December and a 2-0 home victory in March 2025.

Goalscorers Alex O’Brien and Ryan McNickle with goalkeeper Lorcan Donnelly who kept a clean sheet in our last meeting with Ards as we ran out 2-0 winners.

📸 Laura Hillen

HEAD TO HEAD

Our record against Ards in 128 previous meetings is almost identical with Ards just shading the win count by one!

Newry however have had the better of recent times losing just once in the past 10 meetings and we are unbeaten on our last 3 visits to Ards.

TEAM NEWS

Saturday’s encounter will see two familiar faces return to Clandeboye Park, with Jason Craughwell and Lee Newell both having previously represented Ards.

Lorcan Forde returns from suspension while Caolan Marron is in line for a return to the starting lineup after coming off the bench against Newington. Jack Chambers and Alex McAlister could also be in line for a return to the squad but Scott McCullough remains on the injury list.

With just three points separating the sides, another competitive afternoon is in prospect as we look to rediscover our winning form and strengthen our position in the Championship table.

MATCH DETAILS

Fixture: Ards v Newry City

Competition: BOYLE Sports Championship

Date: Saturday 31 October 2026

Kick-off: 3:00pm

Venue: Clandeboye Park, Bangor

Match odds: Ards 6/5

Draw 5/2

Newry 17/10