By Paul Worts
Presteigne face a goalkeeping crisis on the eve of tomorrow’s Spar Mid Wales League clash with Berriew. The East Radnor side, who moved up four places in the table as a result of last week’s victory, have Luke Brimfield and Craig Hill injured and were this week seeking dispensation from the FAW to sign another keeper.
But assistant manager, Tom Ammonds thinks it unlikely the FAW will consent so reserve keeper Trevor Gummer, who did little wrong at Newbridge on Sunday, is again placed on standby.
Wes Evans and Chris Jones both return having missed the Radnorshire Cup defeat, but midfielder Adie Bennett is ruled out with a badly bruised shin and Glen Tolley could again have to miss out because of work commitments. Sam Pearson faces a late fitness test.
Rhayader are looking to bounce back from their defeat against Twyn/Bryncrug when basement side Llanfyllin Town visit The Weirglodd.
Player-manager Dylan McPhee felt Rhayader deserved a point in what was an evenly-fought game against Tywyn and he will be interested in how Presteigne get on with their request to Cardiff.
McPhee himself, Paul Davies and Tom Rokoszewski have all had to don the keeper’s shirt in recent weeks and a new number one could well be Rhayader’s priority when the January transfer window opens.
Ed Jones does return tomorrow, but is not available on a regular basis. Topscorer Kevin Martin, a late withdrawal last week, is also back to face Llanfyllin but Chris Murphy is almost certainly ruled ou,t while Paul Davies is still unavailable.
Newbridge will be aiming to extend their recent unbeaten run to nine when they welcome Carno to Penbont.
And with the visitors just a point behind Newbridge with three games in hand, this is one the Villagers will want to win. Carno have won four out of their last five in all competitions.
Newbridge manager Kevin Price will be without midfielder Neil Davies, who heads to New Zealand for two months, while Stephen Parry underwent ankle surgery on Monday and could be sidelined for five weeks.
Newcastle are aiming to maintain their recent good form when they host Penybont Athletic in the Watson Associates Mid Wales League (South) tomorrow.
The Shropshire men enjoyed a productive November and completed the month with a 3-0 victory over Stoke Prior in the Alfred Sparey Cup on Sunday.
Matt Jones, Edgar Whateley and Mark Jones shared the goals but Newcastle did pick up knocks to Adrian Jones and Ben Harvey, who are rated doubtful for tomorrow. Phil Monk is, however, likely to figure following a spell on the sidelines.
Elsewhere Gwernyfed will be looking for a good response following their defeat against Hay last week. Gwernyfed officials admitted their side had been beaten by a better team on the day but surprisingly critisised referee Chris Corfield, who most neutrals felt had an excellent game.
But Gwernyfed know there is still a long way to go in the title race and if they win tomorrow they will be level on points with Hay from the same number of games.
Penybont manager Emrys Goodwin felt the margin of defeat against Rhosgoch last week was not a fair reflection on his team’s performance and he hopes to be at full strength tomorrow, with Edryd Lewis and Tim Broome expected to return.
Builth Wells, who have won eight of their 11 league games, were due to visit Sennybridge but that fixture has already been switched to Builth in view of the state of Sennybridge’s Riverside ground.
Builth will be without central defender Leigh Metcalf for two months. Metcalf has been a consistent performer since moving back to the Lant at the beginning of the season following a spell with Penybont.
Striker Tom Jones remains an injury doubt but Stuart Jones returns for Builth. Sennybridge will be without suspended pair Jason Keddle and Andy Morgan.
On the adjacent pitch, Builth Wednesdays lock horns with Llandrindod Wells Colts looking for much needed points but The Colts themselves will be in buoyant mood after four wins from their last five in the league .
Knighton Town have turned their season round with successive league wins and the Radnor Robins are chasing a third victory in a row tomorrow when they make the short trip to Radnor Valley.
The day’s only other league game sees Presteigne Reserves visit St Harmon eyeing up a league double over the Swifts, who have player-manager Gareth Earp serving a one-match ban.
And Presteigne manager Barry Williams will be keen to play having been frustrated last Saturday when their trip to Sennybridge was postponed.