Town out to upset bolstered Celtic

Banbridge Town are searching for their first league points of the season but it won’t be easy up against title-chasing Lurgan Celtic.
Banbridge Town Versus Portstewart in the season opener at Crystal Park, Banbridge.Banbridge Town Versus Portstewart in the season opener at Crystal Park, Banbridge.
Banbridge Town Versus Portstewart in the season opener at Crystal Park, Banbridge.

Tomorrow, Town head to Knockramer Park to take on a Celtic side who, managed by former Town boss Colm Malone, have a wealth of Irish League experience in a line-up that has been revamped by summer signings.

Former Glenavon players David Magee, Nathan McConnell and Chris Lavery have joined up with ex-Linfield star Ryan Henderson while Daniel Ryan and Aaron Haire have also signed for Lurgan Celtic, stepping down from Championship One side Loughgall.

Unsurprisingly, Celtic are the team to watch in Championship Two this season. With such a strong squad to face this weekend, Town know they will have it tough to pick up their first points of the season at Knockramer Park.

“They had the most impressive result in the league on Saturday, beating Newington 4-1 and it tells you where they are,” said Watson.

“It’ll be a tough game over at Lurgan, as it always is. we played them in the last game of last season but that team is nowhere near the team they have now. It will be a totally different ball game but hopefully we can pick up something to get us off the mark.

“They’ll be one of the favourites this season so anybody who gets anyway over at Lurgan Celtic will be doing very well. We’ll set ourselves up to come away with something.

“It’s not beyond us, but it’s going to be a huge task.”