Pembrokeshire football fixtures for Saturday, January 12th (2pm):

Carew 2-3 Merlins Bridge

Both these sides progressed to the Senior Cup quarter finals last week - but on Saturday they meet in a clash crucial to their league chances.

The first meeting in November was predictably intense, with Bridge winning 3-1 despite finishing with 10 men. Three points again tomorrow will move them above The Rooks into third place having played two games less.

Carew saw off Narberth 4-1 on Saturday after trailing and in the league game prior to that, fought back from 2-0 down to beat Saundersfoot. The nature of both results suggests there is nothing wrong with their desire and the return of Jack Christopher from injury has boosted them at the right time.

But Bridge, who hammered Herbie 5-1, have also been strengthened them with the re-signing of Luke Hayward. His class in midfield and at set pieces is well known and it wouldn't surprise me if he was straight back in the fold for this.

I expect another tight one, with the thus far unbeaten Wizards nicking it.

Clarbeston Road 3-1 Neyland

Clarbie seem to have tightened up post-Christmas. They pushed Merlins Bridge all the way before a good win in Pennar last week.

Sean Seymour-Davies and Jason Griffiths continue to produce goals but despite having a host of defenders missing, they were also resolute at Bush Camp as Sam Edge took the gloves for the first time this season. 

Neyland meanwhile, were guilty of some poor finishing as they lost at home to Milford United, giving The Robins their first points of the season. Andrew Kemp will have a job to pick his side up from that.

Current form points towards Clarbie here.

Goodwick United 2-0 Pennar Robins

Circumstances have meant no league game for Goodwick since December 8th - and they now find themselves off the top of the table.

But with Monkton and Hakin playing the bottowm two, and Carew and Bridge playing each other, Wayne O'Sullivan will know the value of three points here.

Rhys Dalling played for the 2nds last week and his return gives the Phoenix Boys a selection headache, albeit a positive one. But Dalling guarantees you goals and as long as he remains fit, he'll play a big part in the run in.

Pennar's three game unbeaten run was ended by that Clarbie defeat in a display that was below par given their recent improvement. But they proved in the 2-2 draw with Bridge in November they can trouble the league's top sides - and if they can get the service Ben Adams and Sam Southcott will test home centre backs Scott Delaney and O'Sullivan himself.

But Goodwick will be organised and prepared and I envisage a home win.

Herbrandston 1-5 Monkton Swifts

Herbie's loss to Merlins Bridge in the Senior Cup last week would have worried them far less than coming off the field to find out Milford United had won at Neyland.

Now they are playing catch up and although they have to play The Robins twice.

Reducing the deficit will be tough tomorrow against Monkton. I think many expected their title challenge to eventually fade - it hasn't. And they are now serious contenders.

They backed up the Hakin win with three goals and a clean sheet against Saundersfoot and their goals continue to be shared around - with Shaun Jones, Ben Steele, and Chris Richards striking on Saturday.

It's hard to see Herbie stopping them here.

Milford United 0-4 Hakin United

It was hard not to be pleased for Milford United and Adrian Hutchings last week. They've stuck by youngsters through some tough results and were finally rewarded with that Liam Parr winner at Neyland.

Having said that, the returns of William Goodall and Scott Griffiths added vital experience at the back although they face a different kettle of fish tomorrow.

Hakin returned to winning ways against St Clears last week but at a price. Adam 'Titch' John has been one of the league's outstanding players these past two (and a half) seasons and having sustained a broken leg, he will presumably be out for the remainder of the season. It's a big blow for The Vikings.

But they still have the firepower to come through at Marble Hall and although I can't see a repeat of the West Wales Cup score where The Robins were beaten 12-2, I expect a Hakin win with room to spare.

Saundersfoot Sports 2-2 Narberth

Narberth hopes were briefly raised by Ben John's opener in the Senior Cup last week, but they ended up well beaten. Saundersfoot the same against Monkton.

Both sides can look forward to the second half of the season with no fears of relegation, but they lie ninth and tenth respectively and the shared aim should be to move higher up the table.

Both are hit by suspension with Nick Cope and Kyle Quartermaine missing, with the Sports chasing a derby double after winning 2-0 at Jesse Road earlier in the season.

But Narberth have improved since then and this will be hard fought. And it wouldn't shock me if both cancelled each other out.

Division 2:

Camrose v Broad Haven

Fishguard Sports v Johnston

Hakin United II v Lawrenny

Hundleton v Letterston

Merlins Bridge II v Llangwm H'west CC

Solva v Prendergast Villa

St Ishmaels v Kilgetty

Division 3:

Milford Athletic v Solva II

Monkton Swifts II v Clarbeston Road II

Narberth II v Fishguard Sports II

Pendine v Carew II

Pennar Robins II v Goodwick United II

St Clears II v Pembroke Boro

St Florence v Milford United II

Division 4:

Broad Haven II v Hundleton II

Kilgetty II v Pennar Robins III

Division 5:

Carew III v Milford Athletic II

Johnston II v Saundersfoot Sports II

Lawrenny II v Tenby

Newport Tigers v Monkton Swifts III

Division 4 Cup Round 1 (1.45pm):

Llangwm H'west CC II v Camrose II

Neyland II v Herbrandston II

Pembroke Boro II v St Ishmaels II