Cutters Friday's delighted manager Neil Soper believes the foundations have been laid for an exciting future at Stockwood Lane.

Soper's side are fifth in the Premier Division going into tomorrow's away tussle with Timsbury.

Despite losing twice on the spin, Cutters, who have formed an under-18s side targeting Bristol Combination football next term, are enjoying their best campaign and their boss enthused: "Given this is only our second season at this level I am very pleased. Expectations have risen and with a bit more mental toughness and a couple of new faces, the next campaign looks promising."

Shirehampton boss Steve Winter is urging his players to remain vigilant, despite going into tomorrow's crucial top-of-the-table battle with Bridgwater flying following Wednesday's 6-0 thrashing of Winscombe.

"It's an important game but there'll be more twists and turns yet, whatever the outcome," Winter warned.

Andy Cooper is determined to ensure Backwell United's season does not peter out into a damp squib.

Two heavy defeats have set them back and manager Cooper, who could be without experienced striker Jon Toy (hamstring) for the rest of the season, insisted ahead of their trip to struggling Cleeve West Town: "We could still get dragged down, so it's imperative that motivation levels are raised."

Nailsea United boss Chris Adamson takes his team to Winscombe admitting their League Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Shirehampton last Saturday has been hard to take.

"Given our indifferent league form, it was a great chance to clinch a trophy," Adamson, who recalls Stuart Lee and Matt Long to his squad, confessed.

Nailsea Town manager Rob Gregory has joined the growing band of managers clamouring for an answer to congested late-season fixture lists.

Town, whose run of four games without a win has hampered their Division One promotion prospects, entertain Ilminster tomorrow.

Gregory stressed: "It's madness that so many games have to be crammed into such a short space of time. Why not extend the season by a couple of weeks?"