Vital fixtures ahead (From Free Press Series)

Vital fixtures ahead

STRUGGLING AFC Goytre's Welsh League Division Three campaign is about to enter a vital phase.

With the club third from bottom, their next two games are against the only two sides below them and a maximum six points could transform their season.

With Wales in action against England in the World Cup qualifier next Saturday, Goytre have an extra week to prepare for their important games against Pontllanfraith and Newcastle Emlyn.

So far this season, Goytre have picked up just one win from their first seven games but club chairman Paul Greenhalgh sees the next two matches as a real chance to kick start their season.

"We haven't done that well so far but we have actually got more points than we did at this point last season. Then it was a couple of wins on the bounce that got us going and we hope the same will happen this season too," he said.

"These games against the teams below us are real six-pointers and the team needs to be ready for them. If we pick up maximum points, it will catapult us up the table so that must be our aim."

Having not played last Saturday, Greenhalgh is hoping the two-week lay-off will give his team the chance to recover from injuries.

"I know our position in the league is not great at the moment but I'm confident I have the lads here at the club to see us rise up the table."