THE keenly-anticipated Gwent derby between Croesyceiliog and Llanwern tomorrow will give the county at least one representative in the semi finals of the Nathaniel League Cup in March.
And there could be two more local clubs in the last-four draw if Caerleon can win at Swansea-based West End and Tredegar Town are able to see off visiting Bryntirion Athletic.
Llanwern were Gwent's last winners of the cup in 2001-02, when they defeated Gwynfi United in the final at Neath, but they must bridge a section gap if they are to get past Division One side Croesyceiliog.
The home side will be minus injured trio Daniel Clare, Josh Higgins and Callum Miles plus unavailable top scorer Jody Jenkins while the visitors will also be disadvantaged by the loss of their leading goal-getter, Steve Perszewski, and holidaying left winger Matthew Currie - but they welcome back Greg Taylor, Gareth Wysome and Steve Stinton from injury.
Full-strength Tredegar must fill the same gap against a Bryntirion side managed by former Cwmbran Town striker Francis Ford while Caerleon will try to use it to their advantage at Division Two club West End, where midfielder and skipper Martyn Phillips will be out with a hamstring strain.
In Division One, sixth-placed Cwmbran, who have no injury worries, have not won in their last five games or scored a goal in 370 minutes and they won't find it easy to gain anything from a trip to face eight-times former champions Ton Pentre, who are third.
The Crows will come up against a quartet of former players in goalkeeper Marty Ellacott, striker Mattie Davies plus defenders Richard Carter and Gareth Mouncher.
Newport YMCA, who will give late fitness tests to several players, are easing themselves up the table and should make further progress by winning at bottom-placed Garw, who've conceded an amazing 107 goals in only 17 outings.
A slump in form has seen full-strength Caldicot Town slip to just above the relegation zone and they simply must not lose at home to Taffs Well because the team immediately below them, Maesteg Park Athletic, are only four points adrift with three games in hand.
In Division Two, Cwmbran Celtic travel to face Barry Town at Jenner Park, where victory for manager Mickey Copeman could be the catalyst required to rekindle their promotion hopes.
Celtic welcome back Mark Parfitt and Owen Llewellyn from suspension and striker Shane Williamson from injury, but Kevin Payne is banned and Ben Graham and Nathan Beer still injured.
Risca United, who've fitness doubts over player-managerial duo Jeff Eckhardt and Nathan Wigg, are eight points off a Division Three promotion slot, but with a match in hand, and will seek to see off struggling visitors Severn Sisters while a win for mid-table Goytre, who welcome back Phil Melville from suspension, will move them above hosts Llansawel.
Monmouth Town, still minus influential midfielder Andrew Smith, were in deep relegation trouble until putting together a run of five games unbeaten, but that record will be severely tested by visiting second-placed outfit Newcastle Emlyn, who are only two points adrift of leaders Llantwit Fadre but with three matches in hand.
Aberbargoed Buds, who are unable to finalise a squad, are just one position above the drop zone and their visit to the side immediately below them, Ystradgynlais, can certainly be described as a six-pointer.
Bottom-placed Abertillery Excelsiors, at full strength, have got to the stage where they must start producing positive results if they are to climb to safety, although they'll face a difficult task to put that into operation at fourth-placed AFC Llwydcoed.
Fixtures involving Gwent clubs Nathaniel League Cup fourth round, KO 1.30pm.
Croesyceiliog v Llanwern; Tredegar Town v Bryntirion Athletic; West End (Swansea) v Caerleon MacWhirter Welsh League, kick offs 2.00pm Division One: Caldicot Town v Taffs Well; Garw v Newport YMCA; Ton Pentre v Cwmbran Town Division Two: Barry Town v Cwmbran Celtic Division Three: AFC Llwydcoed v Abertillery Excelsiors; Llansawel v Goytre; Monmouth Town v Newcastle Emlyn; Risca United v Seven Sisters; Ystradgynlais v Aberbargoed Buds.
Welsh Autoparts Gwent County League Division One: Abertillery Bluebirds v Undy Athletic; Albion Rovers v Spencer Youth & Boys; Blaenavon Blues v Panteg; Cefn Forest v Newport Civil Service; Chepstow Town v Mardy; Clydach Wasps v Cwmffrwdoer Sports; Coed Eva Athletic v Treowen Stars Division Two: Fairfield United v Cromwell; Lliswerry v Trinant; Lucas Cwmbran v Tranch; Malpas Gladiators v RTB Ebbw Vale; Newport Corinthians v Rogerstone; Pentwynmawr Athletic v Trethomas Bluebirds; West Pontnewydd v Llanhilleth Athletic Division Three: AC Pontymister v Abergavenny Thursdays; Caldicot Castle v Whiteheads; Crickhowell v Villa Dino/Christchurch; Govilon v Sebastopol; New Inn v Race; PILCS v Underwood; Sudbrook Cricket Club v Crusaders Knauf Insulation Gwent Central League Premier Division: Llanfoist v Lower New Inn; Pontypool Town v Gilwern & District Division One: Sebastopol v Blaenavon Blues; Panteg v Govilon; Tranch v PILCS; Clydach Wasps v Fairfield United Division Two: Gilwern & District B v Pontypool Town B; Llanarth B v Prescoed; Trevethin B v Usk Town B East Gwent League Division Two: Caldicot Castle A v Bulwark A; Thornwell Red & White v Devauden Green Division Three: Chepstow Town B v Caldicot Castle B; Sudbrook Cricket Club B v Wyesham Wanderers l Newport and District League fixtures are on page 34
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