Bristol Manor Farm aim to stick boot into Wellington

Toolstation League:

John Black has warned his in-form Bristol Manor Farm team to guard against the threat posed by Wellington tomorrow.

Farm have overcome a wobbly start to the Premier Division season by winning their last three league games, the latest a 6-0 romp against Sherborne. And on Wednesday night they confirmed that resurgence by knocking Yate Town out of the Gloucestershire Challenge Trophy with a 3-0 away success.

Black, however, who could be without central midfielder Matt Thorne tomorrow, said: "Wellington were the best side we played last season.

"They walloped us 7-2 at their place and I'm expecting another tough game down there."

Hallen face a spell without striker George Brimson, who injured an ankle during last Saturday's morale-boosting 3-2 victory over Dawlish Town.

"George ran them ragged in the first half and it wasn't the best of challenges that hospitalised him," said assistant manager Andy Hicks, whose side host second-placed Street tomorrow.

Mark Harrington says his Welton Rovers team, who face leaders Ilfracombe in Devon, have the hunger to mount a title challenge.

Harrington, who has steered his men to four wins from their last five outings despite a raft of injuries, said: "We are showing more strength and consistency than we did last season and, while I'm keen to better last year's eighth-placed finish, I'd like to think we can have a say."

Longwell Green Sports' Julian Harmer is planning to unleash more of his second-string starlets on to the Premier Division stage after giving young striker Tom Morgan a debut in last Saturday's impressive 1-1 draw at Bideford.

Harmer's men, who are unbeaten in five games, visit struggling Radstock Town tomorrow.

Brislington entertain Bideford desperate for points after back-to-back defeats. The Brislington players remained behind closed doors until 10pm to thrash out what went wrong in Tuesday night's 2-0 home defeat by Welton Rovers.

Assistant manager Paul Sainsbury said: "Too many players are not performing and it's about showing guts and character now."

Bishop Sutton boss Lee Lashenko claims the 5-1 victory over Clevedon Town in the Somerset Premier Cup is evidence that his side are on the up.

Lashenko, whose team visit Calne Town tomorrow, said: "Clevedon fielded a very strong side and I'm delighted at how we're progressing.

"Lads like Kye Holly and Darren Hawkins have come in and set the standard and it's having a galvanising effect on the club."

Andy Black has plunged into the transfer market again in a bid to get Bitton through a sticky patch following two straight league defeats, although Wednesday's 1-0 GFA Trophy win over Hallen has lifted their spirits for the home clash with Willand Rovers.

Utility player Matt Knapman is set to make his home debut following last week's Rec return, while Black has signed Portishead Town's prolific raider James Clarke and made a seven-day swoop for Oldland defender Joe Chandler.

Youth team midfielder Brandon Barnes has also been promoted to first- team contention.

Portishead Town manager Dave Willis is confident his team can overcome the loss of top scorer Clarke to Bitton and is pinning his hopes on teenagers Simon Kelly and Danny Benn forming a deadly partnership up front.

Willis, whose improving team go to Bradford Town tomorrow in Division I, said: "James wants to try his luck at a higher level, just as he did with Taunton a couple of years back.

"Simon and Danny have the chance to show they can score the goals to take us forward. Both were in our reserves last season and have shown they have the appetite for first team football."

With a stack of absentees still to contend with, Willis at least has former Mangotsfield United defender Nick Sloan to call on again following a spell working in France.

Hengrove Athletic have made three notable signings as they bid to bounce back from two straight defeats with victory at home to Minehead.

Former Brislington and Mangotsfield United defender Danny Barwood has joined from Paulton Rovers, while Longwell Green reserve keeper Simon Crawford has been brought in to replace Richard Jenkins, who is quitting to work in the Cayman Islands.

Hengrove, who entertain a Bristol City XI on Wednesday at Norton Lane to celebrate the switch-on of their new floodlights (7.30pm), have also recruited centre-half Dale Peckham, released recently by Clevedon Town, on a temporary basis.

Keynsham Town have been boosted by the return of striker Ross McNab from a lengthy injury lay-off. The marksman scored twice in Town's 4-2 midweek win over Clevedon United.

Keynsham, however, who entertain Bridport, have lost left-back Mark Branton to Premier Division Hallen.