Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football league fixtures for Saturday, October 27th:

FAW Trophy Round 3 (2pm):

Garden Village 3-2 Hakin United

That Merlins Bridge fightback would have hurt Hakin's players badly last week, and they are likely to drop further off the pace this weekend as they are in FAW Trophy action.

There is never any doubt of their prowess going forward, but defensively they look makeshift since the loss of Daniel Armstrong to a shoulder injury.

Midfielder Camron Thomas was used as left back at The Racecourse and Leigh Marchant and Mark Jones were forced into an unfamiliar partnership in the middle of the defence.

At first I thought they would win still win here - but then I realised I was looking at the Garden Village struggling in the Third Tier of the Swansea League, not the one in Welsh League Division Two!

The home side have just nine points from their eight league games so far, but this still looks a tough task for The Vikings.

Division 1 (2.30pm):

Carew 5-1 Milford United

Jordan Richards was the Carew hero with a hat trick in their win at Narberth last Saturday, and The Rooks will fancy more goals this weekend.

Milford continue to field a young side and as per last season, there is little wrong with their commitment, or effort, but they currently lack the depth and firepower needed to climb the table.

A win here could see Carew top by Saturday night, depending on the Goodwick v Monkton result, and I'd be surprised if they didn't get it.

Clarbeston Road 2-2 Pennar Robins

Clarbie made Monkton work hard for the points last week, while Pennar were lucky to pick up one of their own after a late fightback at Lamphey.

Both these sides have been inconsistent with their form and yet can trouble the top teams when at full tilt. Clarbie's threat up front is well known but in Ben Adams, The Robins have one of the players of the season so far and it was his hat trick last week that got them that 3-3 draw.

Goal difference aside, these two go into this with identical records in terms of games played and points, and I'm struggling to separate them myself. So point apiece.

Goodwick United 3-2 Monkton Swifts

Here goes nothing.

It didn't surprise me when Monkton knocked Goodwick out of the Senior Cup two weeks ago. And it wouldn't surprise me if the Phoenix Boys got revenge on Saturday.

Wayne O'Sullivan's men were caught cold in the first half at Monkton Lane and I envisage a much tighter opening this time around. Another hat trick for Jordan Griffiths in Milford last weekend took him to 13 goals for the season but it is the re-signing of James Gwilt which could prove pivotal. Patrick Hughes has filled in well in goal, but the organisation and shot stopping that Gwilt brings is a game changer.

Regardless, Monkton will threaten and while so much has been made of their goal scoring this season, keeper Michael Murray and his defence now have three clean sheets in four in the league. If they keep that form at both ends of the pitch, they will be genuine title contenders.

I'm going Goodwick. And I'm well aware it could backfire.

Lamphey 1-2 St Clears

Lamphey would have been desperately dissapointed to have missed out on three points last week - but the signs are suddenly more positive.

Billy Davies looked sharp in that draw with Pennar, scoring twice, and he could be key again here if The Stags are to build on their two points thus far.

St Clears meanwhile, came through a dogfight in Herbie to prevail 3-2 thanks to Nathan Evans' late goal, and I suspect they will again be made to fight hard on the road here. 

But current form edges me towards the Carmarthenshire Saints. Just.

Merlins Bridge 3-1 Saundersfoot Sports

When you're coming off a real high, as The Wizards will be after that dramatic Hakin win, it's not always easy to be on it mentally the following week.

But Bridge will have to be if they don't want to let that result go to waste. Saundersfoot needed a late Geoff Marsh goal to get a point against Neyland on Saturday, but significantly, they have competed well in all seven league games so far, including the two defeats.

They won't be easy to break down although the hosts have a lot of firepower going forward especially if Will Haworth, Nathan Greene, Adam Hawkins, and Joe Leahy all start again. The addition of Gethin Roberts in midfield, happy to sit while others bomb forward, has helped Matthew D'Ivry on that front.

 I expect a Bridge win, but not necessarily a straightforward one.

Neyland 1-1 Herbrandston

It's just not happening for Herbie at the moment.

Firstly, their only point, gained in that 1-1 draw with Neyland last month, was changed to a 1-0 to The Nomads after Herbie were found to have played an ineligible player.

Then they threw everything at St Clears last week, only to lose 3-2 late on.

Rhyan Nolan contionues to impress the visitors and will be a key figure again here, but Neyland were much improved at Saundersfoot at youngsters Max Bowman-Davies and Ollie Hughes shone with goal each in that eventual 3-3 draw.

It's early days but this is close to must win for Herbie already, but I can see the sides cancelling each other out.

Division 2 (2.30pm):

Camrose v Johnston

Fishguard Sports v St Ishmaels

Hakin United II v Letterston

Hundleton v Solva

Kilgetty v Merlins Bridge II

Lawrenny v Broad Haven

Prendergast Villa v Llangwm H'west CC

Division 3 (2.30pm):

Milford United II v Clarbeston Road II

Third Division Cup (2pm):

Milford Athletic v Solva II

Monkton Swifts II v Fishguard Sports II

Narberth II v Goodwick United II

Pembroke Boro v Carew II

Pennar Robins II v Pendine

Division 4 (2.30pm):

Broad Haven II v Neyland II

Cosheston v Pembroke Boro II

Herbrandston II v Camrose II

Llangwm H'west CC II v Pennar Robins III

St Ishmaels II v Kilgetty II

Division 5 (2.30pm):

Johnston II v Carew III

Letterston II v Tenby

Monkton Swifts III v Lawrenny II

Saundersfoot Sports II v Newport Tigers

St Clears II v St Florence