Banbridge can clinch EYHL crown with victory over UCD and help from elsewhere

Banbridge’s Johnny McKee has been on the goals trail

Andrew Morrison

Banbridge go into this weekend’s EYHL fixtures knowing they could be crowned champions of the division should results go in their favour.

The current title holders are five points clear of local rivals Lisnagarvey with three games remaining.

On Saturday they take on ninth-placed UCD who also have it all to play for going into the final weeks of the season as they look to ensure safety.

Title-chasing Banbridge come into Saturday’s game off the back of their first defeat of the season when despite two goals from Johnny McKee they were thrashed 5-2 by Monkstown.

Stephen McCandless’ side will now be hoping to bounce back with their 11th League win of the campaign when they face a side on a run of four games without a win.

Elsewhere, newly-crowned EuroHockey Club Trophy I champions Lisnagarvey return to domestic action when they face Glennane. The Comber Road outfit will be playing their fifth game in a week, having won the previous four.

During their time in Portugal, the form of both Andrew Williamson and Oliver Kidd proved to be the determining factor in their success with both players set to feature this afternoon.

They take on a Glennane side that could overtake them into second spot with a win whilst simultaneously ending their title hopes.

The Dubliners come in unbeaten in seven outings but their last defeat came in the reverse fixture when Garvey won 3-0 with goals from Mackenzie Connor, Matthew Nelson and Daniel Nelson.

In the third game of the day Annadale are hoping to capitalise on any dropped points from UCD as they travel to Corinthians.

Dale currently find themselves five points above the drop zone following their recent win in a relegation six-pointer against UCD, the side directly above them in the table, as they look for back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Meanwhile already relegated Instonians continue their search for their first win of the season when they go to YMCA.

It has been a disheartening season for the Shaws Bridge side who have so far lost 13 of their 15 ties in the division as they prepare to face the side in fifth place.

However, a strong performance last time out against Corinthians saw goals from Matthew McCord and Philip Hamill and gives the side plenty of scope for a positive result.