Struggling Llanelli and Cefn Druids both have the chance to pick up crucial points in the Welsh Premier League on home soil tonight (both 7.45).
Llanelli currently occupy 11th-place in the Welsh Premier League table, with Druids five points in-front, ahead of their clash with local rivals Carmarthen Town.
The club risk sliding to the bottom of the table this weekend as they target their first win of the season over Carmarthen.
Ex-Reds striker Luke Bowen scored all three of Carmarthen’s goal in their previous two meetings, equalising against his former side to split the points on their Boxing Day. Bowen then grabbed a brace to secure the Old Gold a 2-0 in the reverse fixture on New Year’s Day.
It was that last fixture between the two sides that resulted in Carmarthen being given a fine and a three-point deduction last week, after it was determined defender Dave Vincent was ineligible to play that game.
The deduction of those points leaves Carmarthen looking a little less comfortable with a nine-point gap separating them from the relegation zone.
Manage Neil Smothers said: “Nothing has changed since what we’ve said to the players at the split. We win as many games as we can, we gain as many points as we can after the split.
“We’ll train well and it’s another big game for us on Friday, as they all are.”
Leading Carmarthen Town scorer Liam Thomas is expected to make his 200th WPL start while Greg Walters completes a two-match ban.
Andy Hill must decide whether to recall French striker Emile N’goy.
Cefn Druids meanwhile are looking to end their miserable run of form by chalking up their third win of the season against Aberystwyth Town.
The Ancients need to dig themselves out of a slump that has seen them win once in their last 10 games against the resurgent Seasiders. Last weekend’s 3-0 away defeat to Cardiff Met offered little encouragement that they might be able to turn their form around.
Nathan Peate misses out (suspension) leaving Aaron Simpson likely to deputise in central defence, and manager Huw Griffiths will be hoping new loan signing Danny Gosset can provide a spark on what will be his home debut.
Aberystwyth visit The Rock looking to build on last weekend’s victory away at Llanelli.
“It’ll be tough at Druids but there’s a bit of a spring back in the dressing room now and a bit of confidence,” said director of football Nev Powell after the Llanelli game.
“We knew we had to come down and put on a performance because Llanelli are fighting for their lives and I thought we were outstanding all night – tonight was a good entertaining game and thankfully we got the result.”
WPL WEEKEND FIXTURES
Friday (7.45): Cefn Druids v Aberystwyth Town, Llanelli Town v Carmarthen Town. Saturday (2.30) : Cardiff Met v Llandudno, Newtown v Caernarfon Town, The New Saints v Barry Town
| 1 | Connah’s Quay Nomads | 24 | 16 | 3 | 5 | 67 | 26 | 41 | 51 |
| 2 | The New Saints | 23 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 68 | 12 | 56 | 49 |
| 3 | Barry Town United FC | 23 | 15 | 2 | 6 | 40 | 33 | 7 | 47 |
| 4 | Caernarfon Town | 24 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 36 | 32 | 4 | 37 |
| 5 | Newtown | 24 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 39 | 36 | 3 | 36 |
| 6 | Bala Town | 22 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 43 | 38 | 5 | 34 |
| 7 | Cardiff Metropolitan University | 24 | 10 | 3 | 11 | 38 | 32 | 6 | 33 |
| 8 | Aberystwyth Town | 24 | 9 | 4 | 11 | 31 | 46 | -15 | 31 |
| 9 | Carmarthen Town AFC | 24 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 32 | 45 | -13 | 24 |
| 10 | Cefn Druids | 24 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 26 | 43 | -17 | 22 |
| 11 | Llanelli Town AFC | 24 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 23 | 74 | -51 | 16 |
| 12 | Llandudno FC | 24 | 3 | 6 | 15 | 21 | 47 | -26 | 15 |