FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Festive cheer is likely to be conspicuous by its absence at St Dogmaels on Boxing Day when arch-rivals and Costcutter League top two Saints and Cardigan Town clash in a game likely to pack them in at School Field.

Over the years Christmas confrontations between the neighbours have aroused significant interest and Thursday’s head-to-head is no different, especially in view of the Costcutter League situation with the north Pembrokeshire villagers on top of the pile and the Magpies six points adrift but with two games in hand.

When the rivals met at King George V Playing Field in midweek at the start of the season the spoils were shared in a 1-1 draw and it could again be a closely-fought affair between unbeaten sides.

Since that early fixture Town have acquired the services of young striker Liam Doherty who was previously with Penrhyncoch in the Cymru Alliance and he has been hitting the target consistently.

Also on the goal trail for the Magpies are Llion Williams and Dylan Davies who will endeavour to continue their exploits.

St Dogmaels are dangerous from various parts of the pitch with the likes of Louis Harding, Rhys Jones, Peter Almond, Josh Mellor and Marc Thomas all proven goal-scorers.

Town will rely on the guile of James Evans and Ben Davies in midfield while in this department Saints have a quality performer in Adam Williams.

Saints skipper Jason Williams has played in a league XI and is widely regarded as one of the most talented central defenders on the circuit while his opposite number Alun ‘Gotrel’ Williams at the heart of the Town defence also leads by example.

It all adds up to an intriguing contest with many neutrals believing the result is too close to call. Kick-off is at noon.

The game between third-placed Newcastle Emlyn and Llanboidy at Parc Emlyn has been called off as the Teifisiders have opted for their annual postponement.

Fourth in the table Crannog who have come out on top in their three latest outings when netting 15 goals and conceding three will be strongly fancied to continue the winning run against visitors and second from bottom Aberporth.

Ffostrasol and Llandysul can hardly be said to have set the scene alight this term and it could be close between the rivals at Troedyrhiw Park with the same applying to the game between Lampeter Town and Felinfach at North Road.