TONY Willcox (pictured) will know more about his players' strength of character tonight when his Cwmbran Town side face a tricky trip to Carmarthen Town in the semi-final, first leg of the League of Wales Cup (7.30pm).

The Crows were absolutely flying ten days ago after scoring 26 goals in four matches to put themselves in with more than a good shout in every competition.

They say a week is a long time in politics - but it's even longer in football as Town have been dumped out of the Welsh Cup by lower-league Ton Pentre and picked up only one point in two League of Wales games against mid-table sides.

This League Cup was not a high priority for Town boss Willcox ten days ago, but in the light of recent results things have changed because it would be galling for Cwmbran not to have any silverware in their cabinet after things had looked so rosy.

"The challenge for the players now is to pick themselves up and show what they are capable of between now and the end of the season," said Willcox.

"How they react is down to their characters as much as anything. There is no doubt the players have got the ability, but they need to show character now.

"The last week or so hasn't helped us and has been a shock to the system. But there is a lot of football to be played and the question is are we ready to take up that challenge. We will soon see.

"There is a lot of passion and desire to win things within the coaching team and we hope the players share that desire.

"This could be the turning point for our season. Either we mount a challenge in the league and the League Cup or we just fade away. It's up to the players." These two teams will know each other inside-out by the end of the campaign as they will have met six times - twice in the league, twice in the FAW Premier Cup and twice in the League Cup.

So far they have clashed three times, Carmarthen winning twice and the Gwent side winning once. Last season the West Walians won both fixtures between the teams. The league clash between the two sides at Cwmbran Stadium comes hot on the heels of this cup semi as it is on Saturday afternoon.

Cwmbran Town (from) P O'Hagan, S Wharton (c), C Watkins, R Carter, A Moore, R David, N Smothers, A Wright, S Mainwairing, N Wigg, N Cotterrall, M Davies, C Hughes, M Pattimore.