Mardy aiming for the top (From Free Press Series)

Mardy aiming for the top

Gwent County Division One Mardy 3 Garnlydan 1

MARDY manager Gavin Butler says there is nothing stopping his side from winning promotion to the Welsh League this season.

The Gwent County side have won all three of their opening Division One games and six of their last seven matches including pre-season friendlies.

Key to Butler's confidence is Mardy's wealth and strength up front this term. The club now has three prolific strikers with the pre-season signing of Craig Salmon. He joins Adam White and Leon Gilchrist up front giving Butler plenty of options to work with as he plans his assault for championship glory.

"Why not," said the former Mardy player when asked could his side win promotion to the Welsh League this season.

"This season's squad is our strongest ever and I feel more confident in my players than ever. Their attitude on the park is unquestionable. What it will come down to is their personal approach," he added.

Last season Mardy pieced together a string of brilliant runs, but fell short of the target because of too many costly slip-ups. This time around Butler is confident they have learnt from their mistakes and won't repeat those same errors again.

"I think we are more mature as a side and better equipped to deal with the pressure of the league," he said.

Against Garnlydan on Saturday Mardy eased to a comfortable win thanks to an opportunist goal from Leon Gilchrist who pounced brilliantly after Jamie Laurent's free kick hit the bar, and a nicely taken brace by new man Craig Salmon.

"It was a good win in a hard game," said Butler. "We've got a tough couple of games ahead of us this week, but the plan is to keep this run going."

Mardy travel to Blaenavon Blues tonight, kick off 6.30pm, and play Cwmbran Celtic at home on Saturday, kick off 3pm.