Llandrindod Wells are hoping for a large travelling support when they journey to Merthyr tonight for their big Dragon Signs FAW Trophy semi-final against Trethomas Bluebirds.
The tie takes place at The Bont Playing Fields, the home of Penydarren BGC with an 8pm kick-off.
The teams are no strangers having met twice last season when Llandrindod were in the Ardal League South East with the Spa men winning 4-1 at home and then drawing 2-2 away although that will have little bearing on Friday night.
The Radnorshire side have enjoyed a fantastic cup run with wins against Tywyn Bryncrug, Builth Wells, Abertillery Excelsiors, AFC Llwydcoed, Aberfan and Cardiff Corinthians and are now just one step away from a place in the prestigious final.
Player-manager, Gareth Jones expects to be at full strength with Ashley Jones returning from a three-match ban while fellow central defender, Shaun Nicholls, the club captain, should be back following a hamstring injury which ruled him out last week. Llandrindod are also boosted by the return of James Barker, Jack Evans and Rob Kear who missed the Radnorshire Cup semi-final win against Hay.
In the Ardal League North East, Builth Wells welcome Llanfair United to The Lant Field in good spirits on the back of their League Cup success last week. Goalkeeper, Zeke Viviaan and midfielder, Aeron Powell should rejoin The Bulls’ squad but Rudi Griffiths is still ruled out through injury.
It will be the first game between the sides this season and Llanfair arrive on the back of a dismal run of form. After starting the season with seven straight wins, Llanfair have picked up just two points from their last eleven league games with several key players having departed.
Meanwhile time is running out for bottom of the table, Rhayader Town who are away at Llanuwchllyn, in desperate need of points. With Eifion Price unavailable, player-manger, Dylan McPhee is set to don the goalkeeper’s jersey but midfielder, Ryan Addison is suspended.
Hay St Marys are at home against Knighton Town in the MMP Mid Wales League (South) with The Saints admitting there is no room for any slip ups if they are to achieve their promotion dream.
Hay are five points behind leaders, Radnor Valley with each having just five league matches remaining while Penparcau are closing in on a top two finish themselves. Hay, who are again without the suspended Callum Maddy, know realistically they have to win their remaining games and hope their rivals falter during the run-in.
Radnor themselves are away at Tregaron which will not be easy but they have developed a winning mentality. Since their one league defeat against Llanilar in mid October, The Goats have reeled off 11 straight league wins as well as making it to the latter stages of both the League Cup and Radnorshire Cup. In fact their only defeat this calendar year was at Ffostrasol in the Central Wales Cup.
Radnor play their MMP Central Wales League Cup semi-final against Llansantffraid Village at Llanidloes next Tuesday night but will be without joint player-manager, Ieuan Price. He is suspended having picked up yellow cards in the two previous rounds.
Penybont United and Presteigne St Andrews meet in a real basement battle at The Racecourse with Presteigne having taken plenty of encouragement from last week’s victory at Talgarth.
Talgarth themselves have three remaining league games which are all away starting with a trip to Penparcau on Saturday where they will do well to pick up anything against the in-form Min-y-Ddol side. Talgarth’s last two games are then at Radnor Valley and Machynlleth.
St Harmon have an early chance of revenge following a recent defeat at Hay St Marys Reserves when the sides clash again in the Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South).
Elsewhere Presteigne St Andrews Reserves host Felindre while Newcastle are aiming for a place in the new MWLS/Montgomeryshire Cup Final when they take on Abermule Reserves.
Fixture list
Friday, March 17
Dragon Signs FAW Amateur Trophy semi-final (8.00)
Llandrindod Wells v Trethomas Bluebirds
(at Penydarren BGC)
Saturday, March 18
Ardal League North East (2.30)
Builth Wells v Llanfair United
Llanuwchllyn v Rhayader Town
Ardal League South East
Brecon Corries v Croesyceiliog
MMP Central Wales League (South) (2.30)
Hay St Marys v Knighton Town
Penparcau v Talgarth Town
Penybont United v Presteigne St Andrews
Tregaron v Radnor Valley
Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) (2.00)
St Harmon v Hay St Marys Reserves
Presteigne St Andrews v Felindre
MWLS/Montgomery Cup semi-final (1.30)
Newcastle v Abermule Res
Tuesday, March 21
Ardal League South East (7.30)
Tredegar Town v Brecon Corries
MMP Central Wales League Cup semi-final (at Llanidloes) (7.30)
Llansantffraid Village v Radnor Valley