It’s derby day at Inver Park as we welcome Ballymena United for our first Sports Direct Premiership home game of the season.
TICKETS, ENTRTY & STREAMING
Tickets are still available to purchase for both home and away supporters and you can get yours now by clicking here.
Following feedback from last season, Season Ticket holders no longer need to claim a ticket to gain entry to the match. Simply scan the QR code within your fanbase app or membership card upon entry at the turnstile. For more information regarding entry for Season Ticket holders, please click here.
Home supporters will be located in the Clubsport NI Church End Stand and the Main Stand as normal, with away supporters accommodated in the P&O Ferries and Larne Port McKay Stand.
For those living outside of the UK and wanting to follow the action, today’s game will be available to watch live on the OneFootball app which you can access by clicking here.
MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE
With the sun set to be shining at Inver Park this afternoon, make sure you get down early to get the full matchday experience.
Ahead of kick-off, 1889 Sports & Social Club will be open from 12pm, with kid’s entertainment starting from 1.30pm in the main car park. Activities will include the inflatable penalty shoot-out and teqball tables.
The Club Superstore will be open from 2pm, with both home and away shirts now restocked! A number of essential back to school products have also arrived so make sure to call in and see what’s available ahead of kick-off!
After the action has come to an end on the pitch, head back into 1889 Sports and Social Club and enjoy some live music, with fan favourite Willy Magill taking to the stage from 5pm, with Ireland vs England in the UEFA Nations League being shown live on the screens.
MATCH PREVIEW
With Tiernan Lynch’s men making history just last week by qualifying for the League Phase of the UEFA Conference League, today’s game is just their second in this season’s Sports Direct Premiership following last week’s 1-1 draw away to Coleraine.
After a hat-trick against Lincoln Red Imps to secure League Phase football in the UEFA Conference League, Andy Ryan came off the bench last Sunday to secure a point for the Invermen at the Coleraine Showgrounds to get the defence of the Gibson Cup up and running.
Matty Lusty is currently on international duty with the Northern Ireland U21 squad and as such will miss out this afternoon at Inver Park.
Ballymena United picked up their first points of the season last weekend with a 3-1 victory over Glenavon at the Sports Direct Premiership, thanks to a hat-trick from summer arrival Ben Kennedy. The victory came at a much-needed time for Jim Ervin’s men following four successive defeats to Linfield, Coleraine, Crusaders and Dungannon Swifts in the Sports Direct Premiership.
Both teams were also in mid-week action in the Co. Antrim Shield as Larne faced Queens University while Ballymena United took on Ballymacash Rangers. Both sides secured their spots in the quarter-finals of the competition, with Tiernan Lynch’s youthful side running out 3-0 winners while Jim Ervin’s men secured a 2-1 victory.
The Invermen have Shanes Hill derby form on their side ahead of today’s game, winning two out of the three meetings last season with the other ending in a 0-0 draw.