Liskeard continue tough run of fixtures at Bridgwater

LISKEARD Athletic face the third of a three-match run of fixtures against the top sides in the division on Saturday when they head to leaders Bridgwater United (3pm).

The Blues were soundly beaten 5-1 in the end at leaders Clevedon Town last weekend, before edging a nine-goal classic with Cornish rivals and fellow play-off hopefuls St Blazey at Lux Park on Tuesday night to move back up to fourth in the table.

Tomorrow’s trip to Fairfax Park represents a tough challenge as the Robins haven’t been beaten at home in the league, their only slight hiccup being a 2-2 draw against Newquay back in August.

However, they have lost three times on their travels, one of which was against tomorrow’s opponents in October as Harry Probyn’s brace got the job done in a 2-1 success.

Liskeard are four points ahead of sixth-placed St Blazey, who are the best of the rest outside of the play-off places, but have played four more times.

St Blazey host improving Bovey Tracey – for the first of three fixtures between the two clubs at Blaise Park in a fortnight – aiming to bounce back from their Lux Park thriller.

While they scored four times themselves including another hat-trick for Kai Burrell, a rare off night at the back saw Dan Hart’s men fall to just a second league defeat of the season.

Bovey saw off Bridgwater last Saturday are currently mid-table following promotion.

Newquay were knocked out of the Les Phillips Cup on Tuesday night at Torpoint – going down 5-2 to their Duchy rivals – but of more importance is trying to stay in the play-off zone.

They sit in the final position in fifth and are in superb league form having won four of their last five, and even more impressively, without conceding in that time.

They are on their travels to fourth bottom Ivybridge, although the congested nature of the table means there are just six points between Buckland Athletic in seventh and Sidmouth Town in 17th. The Ivies are a tough nut to crack on home soil – winning four times already – and will look to cause a shock.

In-form Torpoint Athletic required a late equaliser from Ethan Wright to earn a point last Saturday at home to Shepton Mallet, and they make one of their longest trips of the season into Somerset to tackle Street.

Their victory over Newquay on Tuesday night ensured they made it five wins from six games in all competitions, and will look to complete the league double over the Cobblers who they beat late on in their opening league game on July 25.

Saltash United produced an outstanding performance to thrash Buckland Athletic last Saturday, and boss Lee Britchford will hope for similar when they welcome bottom side Wellington.

The Tangerines have endured a wretched start following a summer exodus of players, and are still to pick up a point. But they were only beaten 3-2 by Ivybridge last Saturday and are starting to gel.

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