Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League fixtures for Saturday, September 9th (2.30pm):

Clarbeston Road v Herbrandston

It's perhaps too early to be talking about turning points in the season - but both these sides notched what will already be viewed as vital wins on Tuesday.

Missing key players and having started with two straight defeats, Clarbie found themselves 2-0 down to Narberth, before a Jason Griffiths hat trick inspired a fightback and a 4-2 win.

Herbie were also pointless ahead of their home game with Milford United, and they also had a hat trick hero in Ali Ouzman as they prevailed 3-2.

Had either side lost those games, then talk of a relegation fight would already have been rife. As it happens, both will go into this with renewed confidence, and while Clarbie may have a psychological edge having pipped Herbie to the Division Two title last season - expect this one to be close.

Lamphey v Goodwick United

Whilst they may not say so publicly, I suspect The Phoenix Boys would have been delighted to have come away from their three midweek games with seven points.

Wayne O'Sullivan's men have began the season with key personnel missing, a problem enhanced by a long term injury to skipper Adam Raymond in their opening day win over Clarbie.

But they showed their resilience with a draw at The Racecourse against Merlins Bridge, before hanging on to win 2-1 at West Dragons thanks to an inspired display from Jordan Griffiths.

Tomorrow however, will be tough again. Lamphey only have three points from nine, but played a lot better against champions Hakin at The Obs in midweek than the 4-0 scoreline suggested.

They started tenaciously and didn't allow The Vikings to settle, and should have led through the lively Billy Davis. Indeed, it was only in the final 20 minutes when they appeared to drop off the pace.

However, if they are to get anything here then I suspect that unlike Tuesday, they will need to capitalise on first half chances should they start well.

Merlins Bridge v Pennar Robins

I fully expect The Wizards will be back amongst the title picture this season, and whilst they have seven points from nine, I suspect there will be slight frustation at not notching a 100% record thus far after letting a half time lead slip against Goodwick.

But their squad looks strong, with lively youngster Will Haworth looking more and more threatening by the game, whilst Adam Hawkins and Nathan Greene have already forged a good partnership up front.

And they will start clear favourites here against a Pennar team that has struggled thus far, with straight defeats against Monkton, Angle and Carew.

They have conceded 12 times and scored just once, and will need a major improvement to pick up anything at The Racecourse.

Monkton Swifts v Milford United

Another team still yet to get off the mark is Milford United, and after only surviving on the final night of last season, early indications suggest they could be in for another dogfight.

Adrian Hutchings' men have at least battled hard in their last two defeats, going down 2-0 to Hakin and 3-2 at Herbie, but will be wary of the need of a positive result imminently.

And I expect another tight battle in their attempts to get one tomorrow, against a Monkton side that kicked off in style with a Tom Powell treble giving them a 5-0 win over Pennar.

But since then, away losses to Carew and Angle have tainted the optimism, and The Swifts will see this as a chance to restore some momentum.

Narberth v Angle

These two have had vastly contrasting openings.

Narberth, who only learnt of their retained Division One status at the tail end of the summer, have lost all three games against Carew, Lamphey, and Clarbie.

Arguably, those are the sort of games they need points from, especially as they are yet to take on any of the so called title favourites, and they desperately need something from tomorrow and the following week against Pennar.

But they take on an Angle side who have had a dream start and currently boast a 100% record.

Cynics will suggest that like Narberth, they are yet to face any of the perceived stronger sides, but have already shown an ability to win tight games against Lamphey (2-0), Pennar (2-0), and Monkton (2-1).

In recent seasons, Angle have cemented their status as a solid top flight side, and early indications show they will be looking up, rather than down, in the table this time around.

Neyland v Carew

For too long, Neyland will feel they have been a capable top half Division One side, but without ever properly challenging the teams at the top.

And it is for that reason they may be frustrated at their start despite two wins from three. Both Milford and Herbrandston were put away with ease as Geraint Rees starred with four goals in two games, but The Nomads were comprehensively beaten 3-0 in their first true test against Merlins Bridge.

The Rooks meanwhile, have had a flying start, scoring 11 goals in wins over Narberth (2-0), Monkton (4-2), and Pennar (5-1).

Their goals have been shared around, and they appear every bit the solid unit they were last season.

Tomorrow is arguably their hardest test yet, but Carew should already be targeting a higher finish than their sixth place last time around.

West Dragons v Hakin United

It says much of The Vikings that after hammering Herbie on the opening night, they were far from their best against Milford United and Lamphey - and yet won both games without conceding.

Just 1-0 up against Lamphey with 20 minutes to go, and with Ben Steele sent off, many envisaged them having to hang on, and yet they finished with a 4-0 victory.

Predictably, last season's league top scorer Nicky Woodrow has again started in style, with five goals in three games, with the returning Justin Harding also starting to find his feet again with a brace himself in midweek.

The Dragons meanwhile, have had a tough start, with a win at Clarbie sandwiched between home losses to Bridge and Goodwick. 

Lose here and they will be nine points off the pace after four games, and in all reality, their chances of a first ever Division One title will be already all but over.

Division Two:

Hakin United II v Saundersfoot Sports

Hundleton v Fishguard Sports

Kilgetty v Merlins Bridge II

Lawrenny v St Ishmaels

Letterston v Llangwm

Prendergast Villa v Johnston

St Clears v Solva

Division Three:

Camrose v Milford Athletic

Carew II v Pembroke Boro

Goodwick United II v Clarbeston Road II

Manorbier United v Narberth II

Milford United II v West Dragons II1

Pennar Robins II v Pendine

St Florence v Broad Haven

Division Four:

Broad Haven II v Monkton Swifts II

Fishguard Sports II v St Clears II

Herbrandston II v Neyland II

Llangwm II v Kilgetty II

Solva II v Lamphey II

St Ishmaels II v Pennar Robins III

Division Five:

Carew III v Pembroke Boro II

Johnston II v Letterston II

Milford Athletic II v Cosheston AFC

Milford United III v Hundleton II

Saundersfoot Sports II v Lawrenny II