Last chance saloon for Pool?

Montgomeryshire is gearing up for a massive weekend of football with league and cup matches across the board as we approach the final two months of the season.

 

In the Huws Gray Alliance, Technogroup Welshpool’s bid for survival seems to have disappeared but manager Chris Herbert is still not giving up until it’s mathematically impossible.

 

This week he has lost skipper and goalkeeper Dave Jones to close rivals Guilsfield and Tom Evans back to Montgomery. He will also be without lively striker Nathan Mapletoft for the rest of the season after x-rays confirms a break in his foot. Danny Davies (metatarsal break), Wes Kilgannon (back), Sean Kilgannon (ankle), Gary Pinch (Calf) and Paul Dowridge (hamstring) are all likely to miss tomorrow’s trip to Llangefni.

 

But the optimistic manager won’t give up and has recruited Mike Cronshaw from Cefn Druids, and Josh Hartrick.

 

“I had to move swiftly after Nathan was ruled out for the rest of the season,” said Herbert. “We have not performed as I would have liked this past three matches but we still have a lot to play for and I expect a professional performance this weekend and points.”

 

Guilsfield will go for their first double of the season when Llandudno visit. Russell Cadwallader believed the fifth-minute injury time equaliser in midweek was the sort of luck his side has been missing but he will be without Tom and Joe Coulson and John Harris tomorrow.

 

 

Meanwhile, there’s two cracking ties lined up for the fourth round of the Central Wales Cup which will see Montgomery flex their Spar Division credentials at title favourites Llanrhaeadr. Waterloo Rovers will take on Carno in an all-division one affair.

 

Berriew will have the opportunity extend their lead at the top of Division One to 12 points when they go to Builth Wells. However, Llanrhaeadr will have six games in hand. Llansantffraid Village take on Newbridge tonight (Friday).

 

The newly formed ER Jenkins Spar Division Two Cup kicks off with Llanfair United expected to unveil new signing Andrew Watkins from Guilsfield against Kerry. The former Waterloo Rovers, Welshpool and Llansantffraid player has taken time out from Saturday football to play in the Veterans League but will provide a huge boost for Llanfair.

 

Four Crosses take on Aberaeron looking to bounce back from their lesson taught by Montgomery last time out. Nick Popyk has released wide man Steve Benyon to Morda United but welcomes new signings Stuart Johnson and goalkeeper Gaz Wilson. His main injury concern is captain Paul Bache who is still about 3 weeks away from featuring.

 

Abermule take on Llandrindod Wells and Llanfyllin play Meifod with a (1.30pm) kick off. All other matches kick off at 2.15pm.

 

 

There’s a big game in the offing when first take on third in the Honda Division One.

 

Llanidloes Reserves have opened up a seven-point gap at the top but have played two games more than their closest rivals and a win for Caersws Reserves will put them within six points.

 

Second placed Llangedwyn will look to repeat their Village Cup victory at home to Guilsfield Reserves who may lose some players to their injury hit first team. The reserve teams of Berriew and Waterloo also clash.

 

In Mitsubishi Division Two, Llansantffraid Village Reserves will look to make up ground on leaders Welshpool when they entertain struggling Llanfair United Reserves. Waterloo Colts take on Trefonen whilst Kerry Reserves play bottom side Dyffryn Banw Reserves.

 

 

Llanrhaeadr Reserves take on Churchstoke in the fifth round of the Emrys Morgan Cup looking to spring a surprise.