| Aber aim to consolidate Euro spot |
| Friday 12 March 2010 |
 ABERYSTWYTH manager Alan Morgan wants a big crowd to turn out and support his side as they bid to maintain a top three spot on Friday night. Home defeats for Port Talbot and Rhyl last weekend have strengthened the Seasiders' position as they host Porthmadog, managed by former Park Avenue chief Tomi Morgan. But the Black & Green's chief is refusing to get carried away by his side’s high-flying position: "Hopefully we now have enough points to finish in the top 10, which is our first aim, we are now taking each match as it comes, and trying to finish as high as we can," he says. "We are not thinking about qualifying for Europe, it’s up to the other teams around us to try and climb above us in the league table, but we are still just trying to keep picking up the points." Despite their lowly position, the visitors are not lacking in confidence: "While we have wrestled with injury problems all season - it really has been disastrous - we will cope again and give it a really good go. "We took a point in our last game and against Aberystwyth here earlier in the season we had more than enough chances to win the game before they sneaked the result late on." But Morgan has to cope without injured captain and centre-back Ryan Davies and forward Marcus Orlik, while loan player Rob Evans is unable to appear against his former club. Prestatyn player-manager Neil Gibson is hoping his players can recover from Wednesday's 16-hour trek to Haverfordwest as they look to build-on an eight-match unbeaten run in a dress rehearsal for the Welsh Cup semi-final against Bangor City. Marksman Andy Moran missed the 3-3 draw at the New Bridge Meadow but could return from injury, while fellow striker Ian Griffiths is set to miss out. Defender Dave Morley is available for the Citizens after serving a one-match suspension but manager Nev Powell will be without right-back Clive Williams, who has a damaged ankle. Welshpool and Newtown clash in the mid-Wales derby at Maesydreand the Robins have further injury woes with Robbie James and Jack Hughes both picking-up knocks in the 1-1 midweek draw at Bala. "It sums our luck this season," says manager Darren Ryan. "Welshpool are determined to go out of the league with a fight so we can expect a tough game in this local derby." Photo: Porthmadog's John Keegan rises above Aber's Luke Bowen. |