Manderwood Pembrokeshire League fixtures (2.30pm):
Division One:
Angle v Carew
A Chris Richards goal gave Angle a welcome win at West Dragons last week, and alleviated any worries they may have had about getting dragged into a fight to stay up.
They are now 10 points clear of the bottom two, but are in line for a tough task tomorrow.
After a recent wobble in the league, Carew bounced back in style last week to hammer Evans and Williams 5-0 in the West Wales Cup.
Scott Ferney took the headlines with a hat-trick, but what would have been just as pleasing to manager Rob Scourfield was the clean sheet after conceding nine times in the two previous games.
A similar display at the back tomorrow, together with their superior fire power up front, should see The Rooks to three points here.
Score prediction: Pennar Robins 1-4 Carew
Clarbeston Road v Lamphey
Another side to have addressed matters at the back are Clarbie Road – who have kept back to back clean sheets since I voiced my concern over their defensive record two weeks ago.
But one area I don’t have any concerns about is their ability to score goals – with 11 in their last two games giving them big wins over Herbie (6-0) and Neyland (5-0).
Tom Reubens has had a stand out season thus far and was the major difference against The Nomads on Saturday as he hit a hat trick, while it was Matthew Davies who notched a treble the week before. Throw Jason Griffiths into the mix – and Matthew Ellis’ side carry plenty of goal threat.
And I can envisage them on the front foot tomorrow against a Lamphey team for whom all is not well. Just one point in four league games, plus the departure of manager Alan Kitts, has left them third from bottom, with a five point cushion over Herbie below them.
The Stags were beaten 5-1 at Monkton last Saturday, and unfortunately for them, I see a similar outcome here.
Score prediction: Clarbeston Road 4-1 Lamphey
It will be first v second at Phoenix Park – a scenario few would have predicted at this stage after Narberth lost their opening three league games.
But since then The Bluebirds have picked up their form, re-signed some big players, and taken a remarkable 24 points from 24.
Tomorrow though is their sternest test yet, and their in-form forwards like Dafydd Wright, Luke Raymond, and Jordan Williams will have to take any chance they get against a Goodwick defence that is appearing rock solid of late.
They were comprehensive in shutting out CRC Rangers in the West Wales Cup last Saturday – but it is up front where their concerns will lie with Rhys Dalling out long term, and top scorer Jordan Griffiths and Jonny Horgan also currently injured.
Having said that, captain Adam Raymond filled in up front last week and scored twice – and while I expect Narberth to really push Wayne O’Sullivan’s side tomorrow, I think they will come through with their unbeaten league record in-tact.
Score prediction: Goodwick United 3-1 Narberth
Hakin United v Neyland
Neyland won’t thank me for this prediction – but conceding 13 goals in three straight league losses bodes ominously for them tomorrow.
The Nomads have been unable to field a regular keeper or a settled defence, and it has shown in recent defeats against Narberth (4-1), Pennar (4-3), and then Clarbie (5-0) on Saturday.
The one positive from the latter game was he return to action of youngster Geraint Rees, who started the season in great form before several weeks out for injury, and Neyland will want him back to his best pronto to help them climb out of a sticky period.
But they will struggle to do that tomorrow against a Hakin side currently creating chances galore.
The 6-2 win over Seaside in the West Wales Cup on the weekend could have been more comprehensive had The Vikings made their first half dominance count. The ever improving Ben Fawcett was superb, whilst Justin Harding and Ryan Wilson also stood out and even from right back, Ben Steele remains a huge threat going forward.
Neyland have to find a way of stifling Kristan Bennett’s men early on and can’t allow them to get into their stride.
Otherwise, they could face a long afternoon.
Score prediction: Hakin United 6-0 Neyland
Merlins Bridge v Monkton Swifts
Another team unbeaten in the league is Merlins Bridge, and they too go into tomorrow off the back of a good West Wales Cup win after seeing off Trostre Sports 4-2 on Saturday.
For The Swifts to have a chance they will have to get hold of the Bridge in midfield, with Luke Hayward, Peter Thomas and Ashley Beck all instrumental in controlling the game at Trostre, while winger Will Haworth continues to threaten on a weekly basis.
Along with the goal threat of Nathan Greene, the visitors will also have to keep Adam Hawkins quiet, with the forward having been outstanding this season with his work rate and ability to both score and create goals.
But Monkton are in form themselves, third in the table after four wins from four, and 19 goals to boot.
Striker James Russell has been in outstanding form lately with nine goals in those wins, with his treble in the 5-1 win over Lamphey on Saturday securing back to back hat tricks.
Josh Dearsley is another to have impressed regularly this season, and The Swifts now boast a solid all-round side.
I expect Bridge to come through a tough test – but if they are off the boil for any reason, Monkton are more than capable of pouncing.
Score prediction: Merlins Bridge 2-1 Monkton Swifts
Milford United v Herbrandston
A huge game.
With Hakin 2nds top of Division Two, there is a possibility just one side will do down from the top flight, and at the moment, the likelihood is it will be one of these two.
The Robins have improved in recent weeks, and were 1-0 up and well on top against Narberth on Saturday before losing their way second half.
But Adrian Hutchings’ side seem to lack a cutting edge when it matters, and ironically the only time they have scored more than one goal in a league game this season was when they lost 3-2 to Herbie in September.
And whilst they hope to have the influential William Goodall back in defence, it is their lack of goal threat which will make it hard to wipe out the three point deficit between them and Herbie tomorrow.
But Oliver West’s men are struggling themselves, both to field a settled side and stay in games for 90 minutes.
They will again be missing the crucial Ali Ouzman, and it remains to be seen if West himself has to fill in as keeper again.
Herbie do have a goal-scorer up front though in Scott Reid, and it’s that reason I’m edging towards them tomorrow.
I’ll say the visitors to sneak it, albeit not with a great deal of conviction.
Score prediction: Milford United 1-2 Herbrandston
Pennar Robins v West Dragons
When these two met at the same venue in the Senior Cup this season, few were surprised to see The Dragons win 5-1.
I’d be amazed at a similar score tomorrow.
A lot has changed in two and a half months. Pennar have dug deep and revitalised their campaign, and braces from Phil John and Sam Southcott not only helped them to a 5-1 win at Herbie last week, but secured 13 points from a possible 15.
In contrary, The Dragons have lost their last three games – and they now appear in a rebuilding phase as their team sheet barely resembles the one that started the season.
Only they know the exact nature of what has gone on, but as so often the case, many have jumped ship rather than battle through a tough time - and they will have to work hard to climb the table from here.
Chris Lloyd’s side have all the momentum going into this – and if they play as they have done lately, will pick up three more points here.
Score prediction: Pennar Robins 3-1 West Dragons
Division Two:
Johnston v Fishguard Sports
Kilgetty v Prendergast Villa
Llangwm v Hakin United II
Saundersfoot Sports v Merlins Bridge II
Solva v Hundleton
St Clears v Letterston
St Ishmaels v Lawrenny
Division Three:
Broad Haven v Goodwick United II
Camrose v Milford United II
Carew II v Clarbeston Road II
Milford Athletic v St Florence
Narberth II v Pennar Robins II
Pendine v Pembroke Boro
West Dragons II v Manorbier United
Division Four:
Fishguard Sports II v Solva II
Herbrandston II v St Ishmaels II
Lamphey II v Angle II
Monkton Swifts II v St Clears II
Neyland II v Broad Haven II
Pennar Robins III v Kilgetty II
Division Five:
Cosheston v Camrose II
Hundleton II v Johnston II
Lawrenny II v Saundersfoot Sports II
Letterston II v Milford United III
Pembroke Boro II v Carew III
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