It's time for the second leg of our UECL tie!
Following our first leg defeat to Larne at Park Hall last Thursday, the Lakesiders are back for the second leg over in Northern Ireland.
However with an expected crowd of 850 home supporters, the Inver Reds will hope to use their 12th man to their advantage and get over the line to reach the Second Qualifying Round.
Nevertheless, after last week's 1-0 defeat at Park Hall, the Lakesiders will feel confident going into the match with some knowledge of what to expect from their opponents after last week's match.
The winner of the tie will face Danish Superliga side AGF Aarhus, who actually get their league campaign underway this weekend with a home match against Brondby.
The Match
Larne FC vs Bala Town FC
UEFA Europa Conference League
Inver Park
Thursday 15th of July - Kick Off - 7:30pm
A quick look at tonight's opponents:
Form - The Inver Reds come into tonight's match after their 1-0 win in the first leg of our UECL tie at Park Hall. Their short pre-season started with a 2-1 defeat to fellow Northern Irish side Coleraine and a 2-2 draw against Scottish Championship side Kilmarnock after coming back from 2-0 down.
Ones To Watch - David McDaid: After last week's defeat, there are no doubts that David McDaid will be 'One To Watch' for Larne, after he pounced on a long ball forward to loop the ball over Ramsay in goal to take a 1-0 lead into tonight's match. The 30 year-old also scored 15 goals in 37 appearances in the NIFL Premiership last season, therefore he will be the one to watch tonight!
Ones To Watch - Ronan Hale: Despite not starting in the first leg, he came on with just over 15 minutes left of the match, and showed some flashes of brilliance. He also managed 12 goals in 33 appearances last season for the Inver Reds, and should he start tonight, he will be a threat from the off.
What did the Managers have to say following the first leg?
Tiernan Lynch: "So proud of the players, thought they were excellent. We were obviously coming into the unknown, I think there was a little bit of emotion in the first half, it was a big occasion for us, and I think that told in our first half performance, second half I thought we settled and started looking a bit like ourselves and I thought we managed the game superbly" Source: @larnefc
Colin Caton: "I don't think we played well, I think we huffed and puffed, I think we lacked a bit of quality in all departments. I think the goal we gave away was horrific, and goals change games, and I thought we were in the game all the way through it until the last 15 minutes, they run us a little bit, and our lads are (were) a bit tired. Looking at it, I'm not overly worried about it, and we'll look forward to going over to Northern Ireland"
The Officials
Referee: Dario Bel (CRO)
Assistant Referees: Marjan Tomas (CRO) / Kruno Šaric (CRO)
Fourth Official: Tihomir Pejin (CRO)
