By Tivy-Side reporter

LLANDYSUL, Crannog and Dewi Stars of the Costcutter League are gearing up for this Saturday when they bid for semi-final slots in the prestigious J Emrys Morgan Cup.

Division One leaders Llandysul host Crannog while Stars have home advantage over Berriew Reserves of the JT Hughes Montgomeryshire Amateur League Division One.

Llandysul were runners-up last season when beaten 2-0 by Llanfair United of the JT Hughes Division One at Penrhyncoch but the Swallows could and should have won in a canter after outplaying their opponents for lengthy

periods and also missing a penalty.

Under shrewd manager Chris Coco Davies the Teifisiders hope to go one better this time around by lifting the trophy for the first time in their history.

Lewis Jones and team-mates have already disposed of Llanymynech at Llandysul Park and also neighbours Pencader in the previous round but could face a stern test against Crannog.

The Llangrannog cup fighters, currently fourth in the league, were runners up to Bow Street in season 2005-06 and beaten by Cardigan Town in the final two seasons ago.

They have reached the last eight with victories over Llangedwyn and Shropshire village side Newcastle and knocked Llandysul out of Cwpan Coffa Dai Dynamo Davies when emerging 3-2 winners of a round two tie at the Urdd

Centre in November.

George Colven provides most of the firepower up front for the coastal villagers who have produced some quality performances and must be given a realistic chance of causing an upset.

But Colven and Co will be confronted by a rock solid defence in front of experienced goalkeeper Jonathan Durbridge while in midfield Terry Maynard, Ben Thomas and Adrian Hazelby are a difficult trio to subdue and in attack Simon Davies and Scott Thomas are a lively duo.

Starting as favourites Llandysul will be fancied by many to reach the penultimate stage and although the visitors are sure to ask questions of the league leaders a home triumph could be on the cards.

Dewi Stars are only eighth in the league but have been a revelation in the Emrys Morgan especially in round four when coming for a goal behind in the final ten minutes to win 4-3 against Caersws Reserves in Powys.

In their heyday Stars were runners-up to Maesglas in 1987-88 and went on to lift the trophy in 1993 when beating Llansanffraid Reserves.

The north Ceredigion battlers won by an identical score in the third round when beating Brecon Northcote at Llanddewi Brefi.

Berriew were beaten finalists against Maesglas in 1988 and in reaching this stage of the competition have beaten Lampeter Town on a penalty shootout, won 2-1 at Ffostrasol in round three and were given a walkover into the quarter-final after Cardigan Town failed to raise a team for the journey to Powys.

Berriew are likely to make the journey to Llanddewi full of confidence but Stars under popular manager John Jones will be up for the task.

"We have a very young squad but every player is prepared to give everything and although we know it will be a stiff task we are quietly confident," said the Stars boss.

Quarter-final draw: Bont v Tregaron; Dewi Stars v Berriew Res; Guilsfield Res/Waterloo Rovers v Llanfyllin Town; Llandysul v Crannog.