Newbridge are looking to maintain their unbeaten away record in the Spar Mid Wales League when they visit Aberystwyth College tomorrow (Saturday).
Seven away trips have netted the Villagers three wins and four draws, but manager Kevin Price is expecting a difficult match as the students have shown they can more than hold their own this time.
The College had mixed fortunes last week, triumphing 4-2 at Llanrhaeadr on Saturday before falling to a similar scoreline against town rivals Aberystwyth Reserves on Monday night. Newbridge were narrowly defeated at home by Carno.
Newbridge have a major doubt over Gareth Davies who is struggling with a groin injury. Christian Jones, Luke Boundford and Rhys Thomas all missed midweek training with back problems ,but more as a precaution, and Price expects the trio to all come through late fitness tests.
Stuart Kinrade and Gareth Hammonds are both added to a squad which plays for the last time before the big Boxing Day showdown with Rhayader Town.
Rhayader themselves are aiming for a league double over Dyffryn Banw tomorrow, when two of this season’s newcomers to the Spar Mid Wales League clash at the Weirglodd. A Kevin Martin hat-trick helped Rhayader to a 4-3 victory when the sides met at Banw and Dylan McPhee is calling for more of the same in the lead-up to a mouth- watering Christmas programme.
Town visit Presteigne a week tomorrow and then make the short trip to their other Radnorshire rivals Newbridge on Boxing Day.
Rhayader have lost just four of their 18 league games to date and undoubtedly would have settled for that before a ball was kicked. But having set standards, McPhee will be looking for three points tomorrow although he is without the injured Chris Murphy and Rhys Thomas.
Goalkeeper Ed Jones, however, should again be available to fill Rhayader’s problem position, while Gareth Jones could figure following long term injury.
Striker Simon Boss-Johnson is also back from university but Ben Jones has been linked with a move to Mid Wales League (South) side Llandrindod Wells, who have served seven days notice on the midfielder.
Presteigne are looking to join Newbridge in the last eight of the Spar Mid Wales League Cup when they visit strugglers Llanfyllin Town.
Recent form has proved Presteigne can compete with the best but they have struggled to field a settled side and are yet to win on their travels. The management are also aware they need to address defensive frailties which has seen 48 league goals conceded in 15 league games. This prompted assistant manager, Tom Anmmonds to say: “We can score goals but we do need to tighten up at the back”. Player-manager Mike Sym-onds is an injury doubt for tomorrow’s trip while Pres-teigne are uncertain as to the availability of Richard Wilding. On the plus side, Lee Sutton returns while the influential Glen Tolley will hopefully be able to travel.