Derby day at Monkton Lane as champions host Pennar

Clarbeston Road 2-2 Carew

Predicting the unpredictable.

Clarby’s league form reads four defeats in six although they’ve come up against Goodwick (twice), Monkton and Saturday’s opponents, Carew.

Getting a result Saturday may depend on which keeper they can field, but at the other end they do look threatening and Ben John again grabbed a hat trick in their last game against Saundersfoot.

Carew’s last outing saw them comfortably beat Narberth in the Senior Cup but they too have lacked consistency thus far. That will frustrate them given the 4-1 win at Goodwick in October showed how lethal they can be when they get it right.

They will still be missing seasoned traveller Iwan Izzard but Scott Richards has returned to the squad after injury.

I can’t see this being as one sided as the opening day (Carew won 3-0), and Clarby’s improved form of late suggests they can take something.

Fishguard Sports 5-1 Saundersfoot Sports

When these two met on the first day of season it was Fishguard who won 4-0 - and there’s been nothing since to suggest a reversal is on the cards on Saturday.

Last time out Brian Kinsella’s side beat Pennar 6-1, with Steve Lewis continuing to be as influential as ever with a hat trick. Saundersfoot lost 5-2 to Clarby Road and are yet to win a point thus far.

In fairness they have remained positive and humorous via social media, and the recent fixture list has fallen brutally for them.

But I can’t see past another Fishguard win.

Goodwick United 5-0 St Clears

Goodwick were pushed hard at St Clears on the first day before coming through 3-2, but in recent weeks seem to have hit top gear.

Against both Rockspur in the West Wales Cup, and then Hakin in the league, they came through tough tests in poor conditions and I can see them kicking on again Saturday.

The squad looks strong and Matty Delaney is growing ever more instrumental for them in midfield and a fully fit Rhys Dalling has enhanced them further up front.

So The Saints will have their work cut out. Will Evans and Jerry Thomas scored for them when they played Pennar in their last game a fortnight ago and drew 2-2 - but it’s other fixtures which will decide if they get out of trouble or not.

Hakin United 4-1 Neyland

Hakin did not play last weekend but nothing has changed - they need a swift response to the Goodwick defeat.

Having already beaten Neyland 6-2 they will be confident of bouncing back at The Obs, and manager Scott Davies will have to decide whether to bring former Nomad Justin Harding back into the starting XI.

Neyland’s last game was a 6-3 win over Tumble in the West Wales Cup, Jason Griffiths getting a hat trick, but they have just one win from five in their league.

It’s a very long time since they’ve won at Hakin and they’ll need to pull something special out to end that run Saturday.

Monkton Swifts 6-1 Pennar Robins

I said last week that with nine league and cup games from nine - we can safely dispel any notion that Monkton’s 2018/19 season was a flash in the pan.

And they certainly won’t be losing any focus here as they eye a double against a Pennar side they hammered 7-1 at Bush Camp first time around.

Ben Steele has been on fire ever since scoring a hat trick against The Robins in the game, and Chris Lloyd must trust that his side will raise their game for a derby.

There is still ample time for them to get out of trouble and a result here would be a great start - but it’s the champions who will kick off clear favourites.

Narberth 1-3 Merlins Bridge

The weather meant both sides missed out on tough tests on the weekend.

So Bridge will come into this on the back of that 16-0 win over Gors in the West Wales Cup - and Narberth keeper Adam Frearson and his defence will be well aware of Joe Leahy and Adam Hawkins coming at them. Especially given Bridge won 7-2 when this pair last met at The Racecourse.

For Simon Thomas and ‘Taffy’ Williams, the current selection problems are nice ones - with  Luke Hayward, Lee Hudgell, Nathan Greene, and Jordan Thomas all on the bench last time out.

If the Bluebirds can repel the visitors, then they are capable of hurting Bridge at the other end. They were well beaten by Carew in the Senior Cup but worth noting they still sit fifth in the league having only lost once - and have a point to prove.

I think The Wizards to take three points - but it certainly won’t be 16-0.