Newtown bid to cash in against Old Gold

NEWTOWN begin a crucial run of games which will decide their JD Welsh Premier season with the visit of Carmarthen Town on Saturday (2.30).

The Robins face a festive double header against Mid Wales rivals Aberystwyth Town before closing the first phase with clashes against TNS and Cefn Druids.

Newtown will take on their festive programme without Ben Bailey after the 27 year departed to rejoin Northern Premier League side Hednesford Town last week.

Manager Chris Hughes insisted Bailey’s departure would not jeopardise the Robins bid for a top six place.

“We have players that can step up for us who have played there before so it won’t make a massive difference for us and we will get on with it,” said Hughes whose squad has already been stretched by injury and suspension.

Newtown welcome a Carmarthen side which inflicted their worst defeat of the season in the reverse fixture and Hughes remains wary.

“They did a job on us when we visited their place,” said Hughes. “They scored goals at the right times and deservedly won the game so we are under no illusions of how tough it is going to be.”

Hughes praised Carmarthen manager Neil Smothers who saved the Old Gold from the drop after taking over following the sacking of the disgraced Mark Aizelwood following his jailing for fraud.

“They’ve got players that on the day can hurt you so we’ll be very respectful of them, we know what they are about,” said Hughes.

“From our point of view we need to follow-up Llandudno’s performance and we’ve addressed that to the players.

“There’s other parts where I thought we played really well so we need to keep striving for consistency in our performance. Home form is important and we are no different in that regard.”