Reds out to boost bid to beat the drop

LLANELLI Town face local rivals Carmarthen Town tonight (7.45) after being given a reprieve in their relegation battle last weekend.

Llanelli remain six points adrift of safety despite last weekend’s setback against Aberystwyth Town after 10th-placed Cefn Druids also dropped points.

The Reds have eight games to save themselves starting with the visit of Carmarthen to Stebonheath.

“It’s another cup-final and another three points, so we need to prepare the right way and go again,” said Andy Hill, whose Llanelli side have lost one and drawn one from their two previous meetings against Carmarthen earlier this season.

It was their meeting on New Year’s Day which resulted in Carmarthen being given a threepoint deduction last week, after it was determined they face fielded ineligible player.

Things worsened for the Old Gold when they were beaten by bottom side Llandudno to leave them trailing six-points from a play-off spot.

Leading scorer Liam Thomas is in line to make his 200th WPL start as they look to return to winning ways.

Elsewhere tonight, Aberystwyth – who’re emerging as a threat to Cardiff Met for that elusive seventh-place – face Cefn Druids.

Second-placed The New Saints and Barry Town, third, will be looking to take full advantage and boost their respective title hopes when WPL pacesetters Connah’s Quay Nomads face Edinburgh City in the Irn-Bru Scottish Challenge Cup semi-final on Saturday.

Connah’s Quay can become the first Welsh side to reach the final since the competition changed format, inviting clubs from outside Scotland and are favourites to advance past the Scottish League 2 side.

Title rivals The New Saints and Barry Town will go head to head at Park Hall while The Nomads are forced them to put their title bid on hold.

Saints would displace Connah’s Quay from the top of the table with a win, while Barry Town could reduce the Nomads’ lead to a single point.

Cardiff Met go into their game against bottom side Llandudno looking to maintain seventhspot. Llandudno make the journey to South Wales coming off their first WPL win in eight games.

At Latham Park, Newtown and Caernarfon Town are both looking to bounce back from recent defeats.