Western League Premier Division preview – Saturday, September 19

HIGH-flying St Blazey head to resurgent Sidmouth Town tomorrow aiming to put together another winning run (3pm).

The Green and Blacks were held to a 2-2 draw by Cornish rivals Torpoint Athletic on Wednesday night, but are still unbeaten after seven games with five wins to sit two points off leaders Bridgwater United with a game in-hand.

They head to last year’s play-off finalists Sidmouth who, after picking up just two draws from their first seven, have seen off Brixham and Ivybridge Town to move away from the bottom two.

Liskeard Athletic – having played more games than anyone else so far with 10 – look a good bet to be in the play-off race despite a 3-2 defeat at home to Bovey Tracey on Tuesday night, the Moorlanders securing victory from Louis Roberts’ injury-time header.

The Blues, who remain third with six victories and four defeats, are back on their travels as they go to fellow new boys Wells City who are second bottom with seven points from their eight outings.

Saltash United fell to their first defeat a fortnight ago at leaders Bridgwater United who then beat them in the FA Vase last weekend, but the Ashes are still well-placed in sixth ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Brixham.

The Ashes are just four points off top spot and go to a side who have already beaten them this term having won their FA Cup tie 3-1 in South East Cornwall back in August.

Torpoint Athletic were expected by many to once again be in the mix come the end, however the Point have struggled.

After an opening day win at Street they lost four on the spin, and although they have arrested that somewhat, they will look to build on Wednesday’s point at St Blazey where they were the better side for long spells.

However, such is the close nature of the division, they are just three points clear of the bottom two before they make the difficult trip to title-hopefuls Portishead Town who have played just five games due to cup commitments, winning four of them.

Newquay have had a mixed start to the season with three victories and two draws from their eight outings.

The Peppermints are one of a host of sides looking to reach the play-offs, but know they need to be far more consistent if they are to do so.

That said, they advanced in the FA Vase last weekend by thrashing Cullompton Rangers 6-0 and should head to Street full of confidence, although the Cobblers have picked up seven points from their last nine.

Fixtures (3pm): Brislington v Bovey Tracey, Brixham v Saltash United, Clevedon Town v Buckland Athletic, Portishead Town v Torpoint Athletic, Sidmouth Town v St Blazey, Street v Newquay, Tavistock v Shepton Mallet, Wellington v Bridgwater United, Wells City v Liskeard Athletic.