Portishead Town FC

Finishing above Welsh giants is huge task – Fey

RICHARD Fey says leaders Bitton face a major challenge to finish above league 'giants' Merthyr Town in the Premier Division title race.

The sides meet for the fourth time this term tomorrow, at the Rapid Solicitors Ground, with the Welsh club yet to lose any of the clashes.

Though Merthyr trail Bitton by six points, they have two games in hand and are still expected by most pundits to come out on top and regain their Southern League status.

Manager Fey said: "They're a huge club at this level with average gates of around 400 to 500 and, as a result, their expectation levels are extremely high.

"We'll have to be at our best to win tomorrow and finish the season above them, but if we do play to our potential I'm sure we'll give them a good game."

Bitton have centre-forward Mark Salter available again.

Brislington are without Byron Lismore for their trip to Longwell Green Sports as the defender has moved to league rivals Street.

"Byron has done well for us after coming through from our reserves a couple of seasons back, but he lives in North Somerset now and the travelling may have been a factor," said Bris assistant boss Lee Perks.

Defenders John Lock and Tom Godsell, along with striker Frank Gingell, all return for Bris, but Liam Peart remains banned. Longwell, who are without a win in seven games, have Andy Summers, Chris Dauncey, Justin Cartledge, pictured, and Mike Wright back from injury.

"We've got a lot of games coming up against teams in and around us in the table and it's vital we don't fall back so far that we find ourselves fighting relegation again," said Longwell general manager John Gibbs.

Hallen boss Paul Owen has solved his goalkeeper crisis by signing Sam Burgess from Nailsea Town, and the player could make his debut in the home game against Radstock Town.

"Sam is still in his early 20s, but he has plenty of experience playing at this level and above and I'm confident he's just what we're looking for," said Owen.

In the First Division, Oldland Abbotonians manager Paul Britton is trying to push through the signing of Bitton's young centre-back Billy Fletcher in time for the home clash with Chard Town.

Third-from-bottom Oldland hope to pair Fletcher with Rob Moore, who is set for a rare run-out. Britton said: "We've been a bit light defensively with Tom Seery, Rob Smith and Mike Baker all unavailable.

"Although he's only 21, Billy is an experienced Western League player, a strong competitor with a good attitude, and hopefully we can tie up a deal with him before tomorrow."

Leading scorer Mark Reynolds is unavailable for Cadbury Heath's trip to Melksham Town for a second-versus-third tussle. "It's disappointing we're without Mark because he's been in great form," said Heath boss Andy Black.

Almondsbury UWE are optimistic skipper Neil Bailey and fellow centre-back Chris Church will be able to play at Keynsham Town after the side lost their last four matches.

Striker Paul Coles is back for Roman Glass St George's meeting with Shepton Mallet at Oaklands Park tonight (7.30pm) after a brief spell with Bristol Manor Farm.